Kerri-Anne Kennerley hospitalised after trapeze fall during PIPPIN performance

On Wednesday evening, Kerrie-Anne Kennerley was rushed to hospital after falling 4.5 metres during her trapeze number.

The actress, who was playing the role of Pippin’s grandmother Berthe, has allegedly broken her collarbone after the fall. She was rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital shortly thereafter.

The show’s producers released the following statement:

During her performance as Berthe in Pippin at the Sydney Lyric Theatre last night, Kerri-Anne Kennerley had an accident on the trapeze and sustained an injury. She finished her song, and was taken to hospital afterwards where it was confirmed she had broken her collarbone and sustained a chip to a bone in her ankle. This injury means that Kerri-Anne will be replaced by an understudy for the time being.

Pippin features an array of circus skills throughout, including Berthe’s solo number “No Time At All,” on which she completes several impressive tricks on the trapeze.

Kerrie-Anne said:

Pippin has genuinely been one of the great experiences of my life, exceeding all my expectations. I love the show and performing every single time. The cast have always been supportive and now more than ever. What happened is just a misstep in the trapeze and circus world. I’ve always felt safe in their hands but accidents just happen.

With Pippin scheduled to run until January 31, it is unknown if she will return to the role.

Header photo: David Hooley