MACBETH Actor Injured by Branagh During Battle Scene

According to the UK's The Telegraph, an actor was injured during a battle scene by Kenneth Branagh in the Manchester International Festival production of MACBETH. An audience member who witnessed the accident reported that the actor was hit by one of the real swords used during the fight scene.

Branagh is co-directing and starring in the production which is being staged in a deconsecreted church. The space is reportedly so small that "the audience are immersed in the action, and risk getting covered in mud, blood and rain."

In a statement, the MIF said: "An actor was hurt during one of the fight scenes in a performance of Macbeth on Wednesday night." It continues, "MIF has qualified medics on site during each performance and the actor was assessed and told he was fine to continue on with the evening's performance. The actor was taken to hospital afterwards as a precaution."

The production, which has received rave reviews from critics, marks the first time Sir Kenneth has returned to the stage in a Shakespeare play in more than 10 years.

The sold-out play will conclude its run on July 20th and is currently being broadcast in cinemas around the world.

Photo courtesy of MIF