The director of Ian McKellen’s Hamlet has hit back at claims the Hobbit actor was left ‘in tears’ after two actors allegedly quit the production following an argument. McKellen, 82, is set to star as the titular Shakespearean character at the Theatre Royal Windsor alongside Steven Berkoff as the king’s pompous adviser Polonius, and rising star Emmanuella Cole as his hot-headed son Laertes.
However, Berkoff and Cole are said to have departed the production just before the scheduled press night on Tuesday. Sources told the Mail On Sunday that the actors were involved in a dispute behind the scenes, allegedly leaving McKellen ‘in tears’ and ‘under strain’.
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