“RICHARD III” ON CRUTCH

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25609, 25 September 1948, Page 2

“RICHARD III” ON CRUTCH

SIR LAURENCE OLIVIER STRAINS KNEE

When Sir Laurence Olivier, as “Richard III,” limped on to the stage at the St. James’ Theatre last evening, his limp was not assumed. The crutch he used was not called for in the play as Shakespeare wrote it, but was essential in the performance last evening. At the end of the performance of “The School for Scandal” on Thursday evening Sir Laurence Olivier strained a ligament in his knee. He received medical attention yesterday, and rested for the evening performance. He was forced to cancel his visit to Canterbury University College. Hundreds of students waited patiently for about two hours to see him at the college. Even after it had been announced that Sir Laurence Olivier would be unable to be present many'students continued to wait in the hope that either he or Lady Olivier would arrive. The crutch which Sir Laurence Olivier used last evening was specially made for him in Sydney. It was during a * performance of “Richard III” there that he first had trouble with his knee. Sir Laurence Olivier’s purpose in having the crutch specially made was that it might “fit” in the period of the play. It is "not a modern article, but a large T-shaped piece of wood, such as was used by cripples in the time of Richard 111. Sir Laurence Olivier does not intend to cancel any performances; nor will understudies be used. He will use a stick in his portrayal of Sir Peter Teazle in “The School for Scandal” today.