ONE of the best-known figures on the York stage is in hospital after being taken ill.

Veteran pantomime dame Berwick Kaler was having tests today as his new play began at York Theatre Royal.

Performances of Hobson's Choice, which opened on Tuesday, were postponed last night as theatre staff waited for news of the 58-year-old actor's health.

But performances will go ahead tonight as scheduled, with the play's director, Gregory Floy, playing Mr Kaler's part until further notice.

A York Hospital spokeswoman confirmed Mr Kaler had been admitted and was having tests.

She was unable to say when he would be released, but added that he was in a comfortable condition.

The Evening Press understands that Mr Kaler was not ill during his opening night performance, but was struck down later and was admitted to hospital.

Mr Kaler has become one the best-known figures on the York stage after performing a hugely popular pantomime at the Theatre Royal for the last 26 years.

Hobson's Choice, where Mr Kaler has taken on the role of a cantankerous and bumptious shoe shop owner, is his first serious role at York Theatre Royal for nearly 20 years.

He last appeared in a non-pantomime role in York in Privates On Parade at the Grand Opera House in 1996, but he has not done a "straight" theatre role at the Theatre Royal since playing Antonio and Gianna Agnelli in Trumpets And Raspberries in 1985.

Mr Kaler is currently planning to return for his 27th panto season at the end of this year.

A York Hospital spokeswoman said: "Mr Kaler is in hospital after being admitted today. He is comfortable and currently having tests."

The play is due to run until April 16 and theatre chiefs said today that it was hoped that performances would resume tonight.

"Performances of Hobson's Choice were postponed this evening due to circumstances beyond our control," a spokeswoman said.

"They are expected to resume tonight."

Updated: 09:50 Thursday, March 31, 2005