42nd Street star Easton pulls out mid-performance after struggling with flu
SHEENA EASTON was forced to pull out of West End musical 42nd Street mid-performance after falling ill.
The singer had been absent from the show all week as she struggled with the flu, but she returned to the Theatre Royal stage last night on her 58th birthday.
However life imitated art when Easton’s understudy stepped in to take over her role in the musical — which tells the story of established star Dorothy Brock, who is replaced by an up-and coming talent.
Easton failed to return for her last big scene after the interval.
The curtain came down and the audience were told understudy CJ Johnson would be taking her place due to “technical difficulties”.
Johnson received a huge round of applause as she took to the stage.
A spokesman for the production said: “Sheena has not been in the show this week whilst she has been suffering with flu.
“She was determined to return as soon as possible and rejoined the company for last night’s show.
“Towards the end of the performance, she wasn’t able to continue and her understudy CJ Johnson completed the show for her. CJ will continue in the role until Sheena is completely ready to return.”
Audience member Shalene Varcoe, 54, said: “Sheena’s voice was great and there were no obvious signs of anything wrong but then exactly the same happened when I saw Funny Girl with Sheridan Smith last May.”
Smith, 35, took a two-month break from her role in Funny Girl after suffering from stress and exhaustion but has since returned to the show, receiving rave reviews on tour.
Mrs Varcoe added: “It was a shame as it was the last main scene that her character was in. It’s hard doing shows like that every day and she is not from a theatre background. No other explanation was offered and the show went on. The audience were very good about it and gave the understudy a huge round of applause. I think we all just wish her well and it’s a shame she couldn’t finish.”
Theatre critic Jonathan Baz said: “It was a complete surprise. No one knows what happened to her and no explanation was given other than her being unable to con- tinue. But my family were so stunned by the quality of the cast and the tap dancing was as sensational as ever.” Grammy Award-winning Easton has sold more than 20 million records over a career that has spanned four decades and included hits such as Bond theme For Your Eyes Only.
She has st arred on Broadway in the musicals Man Of La Mancha and Grease but her role in 42nd Street is her first in the West End. The musical features songs including We’re In The Money and the famous title track.