Actor Michael Gambon (Dumbledore) was set to star in the London production of
The Habit Of Art starting November 17, but has now had to
step down as a result of "minor ill health."
It is being reported that his replacement for the play will be his
Harry Potter co-star Richard Griffiths (Vernon Dursley), who has agreed to take on the role. Of the replacement, Nicholas Hytner, the play's director, said:
Quote:
“The Habit Of Art is about the business of putting a play together as much as it is about making music or poetry. Richard Griffiths will play the actor, Fitz, who plays the poet W H Auden in a play set in a rehearsal room as a group of actors work through a play about Auden and Benjamin Britten. We’re looking forward to taking creative advantage of this unexpected twist in our own rehearsal process.”
Richard will be acting alongside
Harry Potter and
The History Boys co-star Frances De la Tour in the play.
We will have much more on Michael Gambon's health as news is made available, so please stay tuned. Also note that Michael does not start filming
Deathly Hallows until next February, so his illness might not affect his schedule for the last
Harry Potter films.
UPDATE: We have just spoken to Michael's publicist who has confirmed that the actor has been told to take 'a couple weeks rest' but is well and will still be doing voice-over work in the mean time. Due to the intensity and longevity of rehearsals for the play, it is not possible for him to do them while getting rest.
Richard Griffiths replaces Michael Gambon in The Habit Of Art (UPDATED) 
