The producers of Jerusalem at the Apollo Theatre have announced that the show will be cancelled this weekend, Saturday 11 June and Sunday 12 June, because of the absence of lead actor Mark Rylance, who plays Johnny Rooster in the play.
Mark Rylance’s brother Jonathan Waters tragically died in the US on 28 May 2022 from a bicycle accident, and Rylance is taking the weekend off to attend his funeral in California.
Waters was hit by a car while making a left turn at about 10.30pm on May 27, according to Oakland Police. He died in hospital the next morning. The 18-year-old driver was spoken to by officers at the scene but will not be charged with any offence.
His brother Jonathan had been wine director at Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California, which has been ranked as one of the best restaurants in the world.
In a statement, Mark Rylance said: “I am so sorry to tell you that on the 28th of May my dear brother Jonathan Waters was knocked from his bicycle and tragically died of his injuries. In order to attend his funeral in California, I unfortunately have to miss three performances of Jerusalem over Saturday 11th – Sunday 12th June. As I have no understudy to play the role Rooster Johnny Byron, sadly these performances have been cancelled. Sonia Friedman Productions, together with Nimax, are arranging additional performances at the end of the scheduled run to try and accommodate everyone who will be affected. I hope you understand my need to grieve my beloved brother and thank you for your support at this time. I hope you will be able to attend another performance of Jerusalem.”
Additional performances have been added on Tuesday 9 August 2.30pm & 7.30pm and Wednesday 10 August 1.30pm and all affected customers will be contacted to rebook tickets.
Jez Butterworth’s play has been a huge hit at the Apollo, revived for its 10th anniversary with original leads Mark Rylance as ‘Johnny “Rooster” Byron and Mackenzie Crook as ‘Ginger’. The play was running until 6 August 2022 until these extra dates were added.
Everyone at WestendTheatre.com sends Mark Rylance and his family our deepest condolences.
More about Jerusalem at the Apollo Theatre
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">
">