John Malkovich has cancelled a planned trip to Israel to appear on stage after a public relations firm hired by the show attributed quotations to him that the firm itself had drafted.
The actor was due to perform in The Music Critic, a theatrical-musical satire composed by violinist Aleksey Igudesman, at Tel Aviv’s Charles Bronfman Auditorium on 13 April. Organisers had promoted the engagement as part of the production’s upcoming run.
Malkovich, who is among the leading Oscar contenders for his role in Martin McDonagh’s Wild Horse Nine, pulled out after the PR material credited him with comments he did not make. He characterised the attribution as "unacceptable and untenable," saying the statements had been written by the company's communications team and not by him.
The cancellation removes a high-profile name from the production’s advertised roster and highlights the risks that can arise when promotional material is issued in an artist’s name without their approval. Details on whether the appearance will be rescheduled or replaced have not been announced.