Comic actress Kate Louise Elliott has broken a toe a week before she is to head into the SkyCity theatre for Auckland Theatre Company's production of Roger Hall and Pip Hall's Who Needs Sleep Anyway?

Elliott rushed to Auckland Central A&E on Friday after colliding into an item of the set during rehearsals. Elliott, who is best know to New Zealand for her roles on Shortland St and Outrageous Fortune, caused quite a stir in the A&E waiting room.Comic actress Kate Louise Elliott has broken a toe a week before she is to head into the SkyCity theatre for Auckland Theatre Company's production of Roger Hall and Pip Hall's Who Needs Sleep Anyway?

Elliott rushed to Auckland Central A&E on Friday after colliding into an item of the set during rehearsals. Elliott, who is best know to New Zealand for her roles on Shortland St and Outrageous Fortune, caused quite a stir in the A&E waiting room."One lady was surprised that I would have to wait and wondered why I hadn't gone to the Shortland Street clinic or one of the doctors there instead," says Elliott, "I said I would preferred it to be a storyline accident but unfortunately it was real."

And it wasn't just the other patients who were amused to see Elliott. The doctor treating her was an avid theatre goer who had seen Elliott in a number of productions and was very excited to hear about her role in Who Needs Sleep Anyway?

"It was quit a bizarre trip to the hospital all round. The hospital staff were really great but at one point I did wonder if somebody was going to take a look at my toe which was quickly becoming a third foot. You don't realise how much you use your toes until they hurt."

Her x-ray showed a "long break" (running long ways up her toe instead of across) of her second to little toe.

Elliott plays a "supernanny" inspired nurse containing Mark Hadlow's exuberant toddler in the "Baby-Plunket Nurse" comedy duo at the centre of the show.

Come dress-rehearsals Elliott expects to be moving a little too slowly to catch a fast moving Haldow but thinks the adrenaline and nerves will have her full flight by opening night.

This latest accident is not the first time Elliott's taken the "break a leg" wish literally. She broke her ankle and performed her graduating piece from the New Zealand Drama School in a cast.

Who Needs Sleep Anyway? plays at SKYCITY Theatre from June 5 until 28. Bookings can be made at Ticketek 0800 842 538 or www.atc.co.nz

WHO NEEDS SLEEP ANYWAY?

Starring: Mark Hadlow, with Johnny Bright, Stephen Butterworth, Hera Dunleavy, Kate-Louise Elliott, Nicola Flynn, Adam Gardiner and Sophie Henderson,
Writer: Roger Hall and Pip Hall
Direction: John Callen
Designers: Andrew Malmo, Rachael Walker, Nic Smillie,

SKYCITY Theatre, June 5 - June 28
Tuesday - Wednesday 6.30pm, Thursday - Saturday 8.00pm
Matinee Saturday 21 June at 2.00pm
Sundays 4.00pm
Tickets: $25 - $54 (booking fees apply)

Related story: Who Needs Sleep Anyway?

27/05/08