Cate Blanchett Derailed by Radio in Streetcar???

Perhaps Rachel Weisz should take heed in her performance as Blanche DuBois in the current Donmar Warehouse revival of A Streetcar Named Desire: props can prove hazardous. Australian stage and screen star Cate Blanchett, who’s tackling Tennessee Williams' famous role in a production at Sydney Theatre Company, which she runs with her writer-husband Andrew Upton, was forced to abandon last night’s performance after being hit in the head with an onstage radio thrown by her co-star Joel Edgerton.

According to media reports, Blanchett carried on for several minutes, despite blood pouring from her head, before proceedings were halted. She’s due back on stage in Australia tonight. The show must go on, after all.

Following its season Down Under, the Blanchett Streetcar, directed by Liv Ullman, is tipped to transfer to Broadway, which is why US theatregoers won’t have a chance to see the Donmar production and Weisz’s critically acclaimed performance as the fading Southern belle. In London, Rob Ashford’s revival of Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning 1947 play continues at the Donmar until 3 October 2009, but it’s long sold out – so prepare to queue for day seats or returns if you want to catch it.

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