Stage fright forces star to quit play

A television detective has quit his role in a theatrical production after suffering from a severe bout of stage fright, it emerged today.

Roy Marsden, who is best known for playing detective Adam Dalgliesh in PD James’s thrillers, had been due to star in a production at the Liverpool Everyman Theatre.

Bosses at the theatre said Marsden’s role in The Mayor of Zalamea would now be played by Royal National Theatre actor Michael Byrne.

Gemma Bodinetz, artistic director for the Liverpool Everyman, said: “Roy Marsden was at great pains to tell us how bitterly unhappy he was to leave but his devastating stage fright made his continuing impossible.”

The production had been due to open on Friday February 13 but that has now been delayed till the following day.

Ms Bodinetz added: “This production has been in my heart for many years and is my first as artistic director of these theatres. I want to present it to our Everyman audience in its most polished incarnation and I feel just a few more days in the rehearsal room will give us back the time lost by Roy Marsden’s leaving.

“I was always rather sceptical of opening my first show on Friday 13.”