Two actors have withdrawn from the London production of Right Before I Go after Dame Maureen Lipman joined the cast, citing her publicly expressed views on Israel and Palestine.
Gerard McCarthy, known for Hollyoaks, The Fall and Call the Midwife, said he no longer felt comfortable personally promoting the production after Lipman’s involvement was announced.
In a statement posted on Instagram, McCarthy said he had not asked for the casting to be reconsidered and did not expect other cast members to share his position. He said he had instead chosen not to use his own platform to promote someone whose political views were opposed to his own.
A second actor, Iz Hesketh, has also pulled out of the production, referring to Lipman’s presence as the reason for their decision.
Lipman has since criticised McCarthy’s decision. In an interview with The Times, she described his actions as “virtue-signalling” and called him “a coward” for not confronting her directly.
She said she had worked with actors who did not share her politics throughout her career, adding that neither side had previously expected the other to change their views.
The creative team behind Right Before I Go said the production kept “political affiliation separate from artistic collaboration” and did not vet performers on the basis of their personal or political beliefs.
The play, written by Stan Zimmerman, explores suicide awareness through real notes and personal stories. It is due to open at Soho Theatre on Saturday, September 5, and run until September 10, with Lipman scheduled to appear on World Suicide Prevention Day.
Zimmerman said the production had “never been about one actor” and remained focused on raising awareness of suicide and saving lives. He also clarified that the show uses a revolving cast and that McCarthy had not been due to appear on the same date as Lipman.
