Tennant's replacement receives ovation

The actor who replaced David Tennant in a West End production of Hamlet received a standing ovation in his debut performance, the BBC reports.

Edward Bennett received critical acclaim after replacing the injured Doctor Who actor, who pulled out of the RSC production on Monday night.

RSC director Gregory Doran said: "It is an indication of the RSC's investment in understudies that Ed Bennett can take over from David in one of Shakespeare's largest roles at such short notice."

He added he understood that some people would be "disappointed at not seeing David Tennant on stage" but emphasised that the production is "more than the sum of its parts".