Darrell D'Silva in rehearsal
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RSC Launches Investigation After Firearm Injury

The Royal Shakespeare Company has postponed the press night of Antony and Cleopatra until next month and launched an investigation following a serious injury to cast member Darrell D'Silva during technical rehearsals.

According to director Michael Boyd, D'Silva, who plays Antony in the play, is “in a sling and playing through pain” after injuring himself whilst operating a prop firearm on 8 April.

The show has been re-staged to accommodate a “one-armed Antony”, but nevertheless the decision has been taken to allow D'Silva time to recover before the press performances, which will now take place on 10 and 11 May 2010.

Boyd, the RSC's artistic director, added: “Obviously it’s not a decision to be taken lightly, but I would like to give the company the chance to showcase the production to critics when Darrell has had a little more recovery time.

“Our preview audiences have been very supportive and I’d like to thank them for this. We do take health and safety very seriously and, of course, have instigated a full investigation into what happened.”

D'Silva stars alongside Kathryn Hunter as Cleopatra in a production directed by Boyd, designed by Tom Piper, with movement by Anna Morrissey and fight direction by Terry King. It continues in rep at the Courtyard Theatre until 28 August 2010.

The first preview of Jonathan Harvey's new play Canary at Liverpool Playhouse has been cancelled – the production will now open on 24 April 2010.

A press statement from Playhouse reads: “It is with great regret that, due to a family bereavement for a member of the company, we have had to cancel the first preview performance of Canary on Friday 23 April … Our box office team is currently contacting customers to have their bookings transferred to a performance of their choice.”

- by Theo Bosanquet

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