LEADING Australian actor Colin Friels collapsed on stage last night during a performance of Death of a Salesman at Belvoir St Theatre.
A spokesperson from Belvoir St Theatre confirmed Friels collapsed during the performance for unknown reasons but said he was “fine” and undergoing medical tests to determine the reason for the blackout.
Friels is best known for his role as Frank Holloway in the crime series Water Rats - a role which won him a Logie Award in 1997 for Most Outstanding Actor.
Walking a little way off stage to answer a knock at the door, the actor could be heard moaning and failed to return to the stage.
The stage manager quickly suspended the show, explaining to patrons Friels was suffering from an illness that evening and asked the audience to wait.
After checking on him, it took less than a minute for her to re-emerge and cancel the rest of the performance. A doctor was called.
The actor plays Willy Loman in Belvoir’s acclaimed production of Miller’s harrowing play.
In 1997 Friels was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and although the disease went into full remission the strain the chemotherapy put on his body forced him to leave Water Rats.
As well as performing in the Sydney Theatre Company’s Macbeth, Friels has been regularly working on a series of television movies created by Shaun Micallef and Gary McCaffrie called Blackjack which began in 2003 and finished in 2007.
Death of a Salesman is completing its run at the Belvoir St Theatre before it moves for a new season at Theatre Royal next week.
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