ACTRESS Amanda Donohoe had to ask if there was a doctor in the house when a co-star collapsed on stage.

The celebrity, famed for her role in the hit TV show LA Law, did not hesitate to issue the appeal when fellow actress Avril Elgar passed out in front of the audience at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre.

And her call did not fall on deaf ears - several medics watching the performance came forward.

Ms Elgar, whose TV credits include Casualty, The Bill and Goodnight Mr Tom, is believed to have collapsed after suffering food poisoning.

She keeled over 10 minutes into the classic Ibsen play Hedda Gabler on Saturday evening.

Sources at the theatre described how Ms Elgar, who plays Aunt Ju Ju in the intense drama, fainted without warning next to Ms Donohue, who plays the title role.

Ms Donohue quickly sized up the situation and appealed to the sell-out audience for a doctor.

''Fortunately there were several,'' said the Exchange's Ivan Wadeson. ''Avril was then rushed to hospital and given the OK.''

Intense

Ms Elgar said she felt sick earlier in the day during a matinee performance but did not tell anyone. The incident happened at the end of an intense two months of rehearsals.

After a 20-minute delay the show still went ahead with understudy Helen Kay reading the part.

''She was looking after everyone backstage when it happened and stepped in immediately,'' explained Mr Wadeson.

''Amanda and on-stage husband Simon Robson told the audience what had happened, but the play continued from where they left off.''

Ms Elgar has made a full recovery and was due to perform tonight.

Hedda Gabler, directed by Braham Murray, is the story of a beautiful woman trapped in a stifling marriage.

The play is running at The Royal Exchange until December 1. Tickets can be obtained from the theatre box office on 0161 615 6790.

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