John McTernan Replaces Steve Bisley in MTC's GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS

One of Australia's most versatile stage and screen actors, John McTernan, will step into the bear-pit of Melbourne Theatre Company's Glengarry Glen Ross after one of the lead actors, Steve Bisley, had to withdraw due to illness in the play's opening week.

Mr Bisley's sudden illness led to the cancellation of the dress rehearsal and first preview over the weekend. Tonight's preview is also cancelled.

John McTernan's career spans more than 30 years and the breadth of the Australian theatre and television industry. His MTC appearances include 2013's The Crucible as well as Boy Gets Girl, Take Me Out, Art, Born Yesterday, Shark Fin Soup, Into the Woods, Assassins, High Society, Serious Money, Wet and Dry, The Common Pursuit, Twelfth Night, The Norman Conquests and The Glass Menagerie.

Mr McTernan spent the weekend with the play's director Alkinos Tsilimidos working up the key role of Shelly Levene and rehearsals will commence with the cast this afternoon. Mr McTernan will perform from his script for Tuesday's and Wednesday's previews. Thursday's Opening Night performance will become a final preview and the reviewers will be invited to attend a performance next week. Mr McTernan will continue to read from his book until he has mastered David Mamet's blistering script, which has been described by the rest of the cast as "20th Century Shakespeare" due to its difficult text and unique rhythms.

"We are deeply indebted to John for taking on this mammoth role, and are incredibly fortunate that such an eminent actor was available to us at short notice. It takes an actor of great calibre and bravery to step in at the eleventh hour like this," said director Alkinos Tsilimidos, "and John promises to be a terrific addition to the team. Already I am absolutely thrilled with what his performance is contributing to the work. We know that Steve is deeply disappointed at having to withdraw and we're wishing him a speedy recovery."

Alex Dimitriades, Greg Stone, Rodney Afif, Nick Barkla, Justin Stewart Cotta and Brett Cousins make up the all-male cast of the greedy 'reality show' of corporate capitalism exposed by David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece about Chicago real estate salesmen.

Glengarry Glen Ross is at the Southbank Theatre, The Sumner until Saturday 9 August. Tickets from $60; under 30s just $33. Bookings at Southbank Theatre Box Office, 03 8688 0800 or mtc.com.au.