The 61-year-old actor passed away following Thursday’s performance of Nine Night, according to Nottingham Playhouse.

Josephine Melville, a former EastEnders actress, passed away backstage after starring in a play.

The 61-year-old actor passed away following Thursday’s performance of Nine Night, according to Nottingham Playhouse.

Before paramedics came, Ms. Melville was assisted by the Playhouse’s first aiders and a medically trained audience member.

She was hospitalized but died at the scene despite treatment.

In 1986, Ms. Melville portrayed Tess Parker on EastEnders. She has also appeared in The Bill and Casualty.

The Nottingham Playhouse declared: “The whole cast and crew of both theatres are in astonishment.

“Josephine was a very wonderful and well-liked individual, a revered and profoundly regarded performer, director, producer, archivist, and writer, and she played Auntie Maggie in Nine Night with great aplomb.

In this terrible moment, we give our support to her family, our onstage and production crew, and the entire staff.

All Nine Night concerts at Nottingham Playhouse have been canceled.

Stephanie Sirr, the chief executive of Nottingham Playhouse, stated: “We extend our sympathies and love to Jo’s family and friends.

“On a night that was profoundly awful and extraordinarily painful, we would want to pay respect to the Nine Night cast and the entire Nottingham Playhouse staff, who handled the situation with care and expertise.”

Ms. Melville had been performing the role of Aunt Maggie in the co-produced play with Leeds Playhouse.

James Brining, the chief executive of Leeds Playhouse, stated: “We are very distressed by Jo’s departure and extend our condolences to her family and friends.

“It was an honor to work with her on this amazing co-production of Nine Night, and we are doing everything in our power to support her family, the cast, and the crew of both theatres.”