An ailing Martine bows out

Persistent ill health has forced Martine McCutcheon to leave My Fair Lady. She will make her final appearance in the musical at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, on December 8 - five months before her contract ends.

She will be replaced by Olivier Award-winning actress Joanna Riding, from December 10.

Ms Riding was recently in The Witches Of Eastwick, but she became a stage star in Carousel at the National several years ago.

Martine's most recent performance as Eliza Doolittle was last Thursday. She was too sick to go on stage last night, but has every intention of resuming performances soon.

Martine opened to great acclaim as the Covent Garden flower seller who wants to be a lady. She once told me how she watched Audrey Hepburn in the movie My Fair Lady and dreamed of playing that role on stage.

That dream came true when Trevor Nunn and Cameron

Mackintosh cast her as Eliza opposite Jonathan Pryce as Professor Higgins.

She opened at the National Theatre's Lyttelton Theatre in March and was hailed as a new musical theatre star, which led to her being besieged with movie and major TV offers.

However, that first night had to be postponed because of a viral infection that has plagued her ever since.

An executive on the show told me how Martine had been desperate to return to the production.

'She has been working with new singing teachers, a physiotherapist and doctors, but it's with great regret that it hasn't worked. She hasn't been well for several weeks and has missed many performances.

'In order for her to get better, everyone concerned felt she should leave the show to get a proper rest.'

For several days Martine, her representatives, producers from Cameron Mackintosh's office and Trevor Nunn have discussed whether or not she was well enough to continue.

The decision that she should withdraw in December rather than at the end of her contract in April was made collectively.

Whenever she has been well enough to perform, Martine has been excellent. She can function on a day-to- day basis, but Eliza is a very tough role to sing if you're not feeling up to scratch.

Those who have booked specifically to see Martine should contact the box office before the particular performance to seek a refund.

Martine's understudy, Alexandra Jay, was considered too young, for now, to replace Martine. She will continue as first 'cover'.

Last night, the company was being told of Martine's departure.

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