Dundee Rep Ensemble actor Robert Paterson has died suddenly aged 55.
The popular actor was due to appear on stage in The Tempest on Tuesday night playing Gonzalo, an honest councillor.
The theatre has cancelled all performances for the rest of the week as Robert’s devastated colleagues come to terms with their loss.
A theatre spokesman said: ”It is with the deepest sadness that we must confirm the passing of Robert Paterson of the Dundee Rep Ensemble.
”Robert was an institution at the Rep appearing in over 50 Rep Ensemble productions.
”We are shocked and devastated with the news. Our thoughts and sympathy are with his family at this desperately sad time.”
Robert, who had also served as a writer and director with the company, died at his home in Perthshire.
His performances for Dundee Rep include Anna Karenina and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
He will also be fondly remembered for his charming performance as the toothless wolf in Neil Duffield’s The Firebird and as the captivating ”Tiny” the world’s fattest man in Futureproof’s freak show.
Robert had suffered heart problems in 2010 when he was admitted to the coronary care unit of Ninewells Hospital just days after opening to critical and popular acclaim in his role as the psychiatrist in the theatre’s production in Equus.
He shone in the leading role of Dysart in Peter Shaffer’s play but had to be taken by ambulance to hospital just hours before he was due on stage.
Robert had joined colleagues and other friends from Scottish Theatre at the CATS Awards in Glasgow on Sunday.A much-loved member of Ensemble ‘family’I saw Robert perform in The Tempest on Friday and although he wasn’t playing one of the lead parts, he was on form, as always, writes Jennifer Cosgrove.
Robert was larger than life on and off stage. His talent could see him in an engaging and emotional role like George in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf or his recent ”outsider” Mr Hansen in Further than the Furthest Thing, then delight children and adults alike as a hilarious and endearing toothless wolf in The Firebird.
His memorable performances are many and they bring a smile to my face donning a fat suit as ”Tiny” the world’s fattest man, ladies’ man Ray Say in Little Voice and one of Prince Charming’s possible ”brides” in the last Christmas show.
He was always a pleasure to watch and part of a theatrical Ensemble that is like a family to its regular Dundee audiences.
Robert’s presence will be greatly missed.