Popular actress-turned-singing star Martine McCutcheon, currently playing Eliza Doolittle in the National Theatre’s production of My Fair Lady, has been told by doctors to reduce the number of performances she does each week from eight to six, as the show prepares to move to London’s West End.
The 25-year-old former EastEnder made headlines in March, when she was forced to rest because of the state of her health just as the musical opened. The pretty brunette has been dogged by blood clotting problems, viruses, bacterial infections and chest infections. Martine’s understudy, Alexandra Jay, stepped into the breach at the last minute to some acclaim and, until the show closed at the end of the month, had made 64 appearances compared to Martine’s 63.
News of the star’s poor health has not affected ticket sales for the musical, however. Around £10 million in advance bookings have been taken so far and the show is sold out until April 2002.
The producers of My Fair Lady, however, are not taking any chances and have insured their popular leading lady for £10,000 per show when it opens at the Theatre Royal on Drury Lane. This is thought to be a record amount, as cast sickness insurance normally costs around £3,000. “The financial people are very concerned about Martine’s health,” said a theatre insider.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
