He collapsed on stage

Johan Widerberg was suddenly taken ill last night in the middle of a performance at the Hipp theatre in Malmö. He was forced to cut the performance short and was taken to hospital in an ambulance.    -He said that he was feeling dizzy, says supporting actor Göran Dyrssen.

EXAMINED BY DOCTOR IN THE AUDIENCE Johan Widerberg was taken acutely ill in the middle of the play "The Picture of Dorian Gray". He was examined by three doctors in the audience but was unable to carry on with the performance. Photo: ANDREAS HILLERGREN

   Since the beginning of February Johan Widerberg has, five days a week, played the lead role in the play ”The Picture of Dorian Gray” with among others Rikard Wolff.
   A couple of weeks ago he came down with a severe case of the flu - but he still continued in the lead role.
   But yesterday he couldn't go on any longer.
   – I noticed right at the start that he was slower than usual. He said that he was feeling ill and was feeling dizzy, says Göran Dyrssen who stars in one of the three leading parts.
   About 40 minutes into the show Johan Widerberg left the stage.
   – He said, ”I can't manage it any longer” and lay down. I had to go out on stage and say that the show was cancelled and ask the classic, if there was a doctor in the house, says Göran Dyrssen.
   Jenny Alv was one of the 500 in the audience:
   – I can't understand it. He was just on stage for a minute before the show was interrupted and he looked completely healthy, she says.

Three doctors were in the audience
   After an examination by three doctors from the audience, Johan Widerberg was taken to Malmö General Hospital for tests.
   – Johan is a highly competent professional person. He knows what it means to cancel a performance. But it can also be the case that when you're young in the game, you push yourself harder than the people who have been in the profession for some time, says Göran Dyrssen.
   Yesterday, after some tests were taken, Johan Widerberg was allowed to leave the hospital.

Infection in the body
   – I spoke to a friend of his and she said that it was after-effects of a flu or infection that was present in the body. He was allowed to leave the hospital later in the evening and got no acting prohibition. But we at the theatre took the decision anyway to cancel Saturday's performance, says chief of information Pella Ström.
   Rikard Wolff didn't want to make a statement yesterday.