NATHAN LANE - LANE LETS DOWN PRINCE CHARLES

Actor NATHAN LANE left a theatre crowd - which included British royal PRINCE CHARLES - deeply disappointed last night (16DEC04), when he pulled out of his performance at the last minute.

Sources say that Lane's back went out two minutes before he was scheduled to step out and perform in hit show THE PRODUCERS in London's West End - and the producers considered cancelling the show.

The audience greeted the announcement that the lead role would be played by understudy CORY ENGLISH with gasps, boos and walkouts - though not by Prince Charles, who joined the standing ovation for English at the end of the show.