Audience member saves Macbeth after actor pulls out due to injury

An audience member stepped into save a production of Macbeth, after one of its leading actors suffered an injury.

Emma Barclay was in the audience watching the Watermill Theatre’s production at Wilton’s Music Hall, which was halted five minutes into its press performance on January 23, after Lauryn Redding – who plays Lady Macduff – injured her knee.

Barclay had played the role in the national tour last year, and was able to step in at the last minute to ensure the production continued. She will continue in the role for the next few performances.

Artistic director Paul Hart said: “It was a stroke of luck that last night Emma Barclay who played Lady Macduff and Bottom during the autumn tour of our productions of Macbeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream was in the audience and courageously stepped into the roles played by Lauryn Redding.”

He added: “I’m immensely proud of the Watermill Ensemble for their performance last night and their incredible commitment and support of one another in extraordinary circumstances, which enabled the show to continue. We all wish Lauryn a speedy recovery.”

In 2016, audience member Melissa Bayern stepped into save a production of Into the Woods at the Royal Exchange in Manchester with just five hours of rehearsals.

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