Jerusalem star Mark Rylance was today preparing for a key performance after the sudden death of his “beloved daughter”.
He faces theatre critics next Wednesday, after it emerged his daughter died earlier this month.
The actor was due to recite lines from Shakespeare’s The Tempest at the Olympics opening ceremony, but pulled out after daughter Nataasha Van Kampen died unexpectedly.
The 28-year-old filmmaker, who suffered a suspected brain haemorrhage on a flight home from New York, was the daughter of composer Claire Van Kampen, Rylance’s wife.
The couple have decided to continue their work with the Globe productions of Richard III and Twelfth Night.
Rylance, 52, is playing the title role in the former until October and will star as Lady Olivia in the latter from September. His wife is musical director for both shows.
Nataasha’s death was acknowledged at the Globe on the night it was announced at a performance of Henry V.
A spokeswoman for the theatre today said no further gestures would be made at any of the forthcoming shows.
Nataasha attended Rudolf Steiner School in Crouch End and travelled the world on theatre tours with her parents.
She started work at Sky TV aged 16 and went to the London Film School, where she graduated in 2009. Her debut Nocturne was shown at the London Young Filmmakers Festival.
Splitting her time between New York and London, she was also an artist, worked as an interior designer with Soho nightclub The Box, directed music videos, and was said to be preparing to direct her first feature film.
Rylance, who won an Olivier Award for his starring role in Jerusalem, said returning to the Globe was “like some ancient rock star trying to make a comeback.”
Sir Kenneth Branagh will step into his shoes at Danny Boyle’s Isles of Wonder Olympics spectacular next week.
Richard III is on at the Globe until October 12 and Twelfth Night from September 22 to October 14.
