Hall pulls out of High Society

Jerry Hall has pulled out of the West End musical production of High Society citing glandular fever.

The Texan-born star, who has received some harsh reviews for her role as Mother Lord, has been absent for more than a week from the Shaftesbury Theatre stage.

Today 49-year-old Hall said she was under doctor’s orders to have a period of complete rest.

“It is with great sadness that I have to leave the cast of High Society as I am suffering from Epstein Bar Virus (Glandular Fever) which I first fell ill with last year,” she said.

“My doctor has said that I must have a period of complete rest, but that I may be able to return to the production in the future and I am determined to return before the end of the run.

“I have had such a wonderful experience with a great cast and I wish them all the very best.”

Unfavourable reviews when the production of Cole Porter’s celebrated musical opened last month included one which said she “looks amazing in a lilac hat slapped to the side of her face” but “moves as if she left the coat-hanger in her clothes”.

In October last year, Rolling Stone Mick Jagger’s ex-wife pulled out of the one-woman show My Darlin’ Janey because of glandular fever.

Hall had signed up to play the sharp-shooting, hard-drinking cowgirl Calamity Jane in a role made famous by Doris Day in the 1953 film.

Hall’s previous stage turns include Mrs Robinson in The Graduate, and appearances in The Vagina Monologues, Bus Stop and The Play What I Wrote.

The producers of High Society said: “We are very sorry that Jerry Hall has had to leave the show.

“We wish her a speedy recovery and hope that we may see her back with us in the New Year.

“Despite this, the show is in great health and the understudy Ali McInnes will be performing in Jerry’s place.”

Recently Hall presented Fashion Rocks with Jeremy Irons, an evening that required eight changes of dress in Monte Carlo.