No Tennant for 'Hamlet' press night

LONDON, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Scottish actor David Tennant's back injury kept him from starring in the critics-night performance of "Hamlet" in London Tuesday, the BBC said.

Best known for his work on the iconic TV series "Doctor Who," Tennant also was unable to appear on stage for Monday night's preview performance.

The BBC said Tennant's understudy Edward Bennett earned a standing ovation after the play's press night performance of the sold-out Royal Shakespeare Company production, which just transferred to London's Novello Theatre from Stratford-upon-Avon.

RSC director Gregory Doran said Tennant was "gutted, not only at the thought of disappointing audiences, but also to be unable to perform a role he has worked on and developed throughout 60 performances in Stratford. Before this injury, he has only missed one performance in his entire career to date, and is hoping that he will be able to return to the show as quickly as possible."

Tennant is slated to perform the title role in the play through Jan. 10.