UK Roundup - Ewan's replacement, Billy Elliot, Kevin Spacey, Mike Leigh

Ewan McGregor's replacement in Guys and Dolls has been announced. Nigel Harman, who though best known for his role in TV's EastEnders is actually a regular stage actor, having appeared in Privates on Parade, Mamma Mia (in which he originated the role of Eddie), My One and Only, Damn Yankees, Tommy and Summer Holiday. Joining him as Miss Adelaide is another TV actress - Sarah Lancashire, best known for her role as Raquel in Coronation Street. Though both are excellent choices for the roles, it will be interesting to see how box office takings are affected when the cast changes from one of the world's biggest movie stars to someone from a dwindling television soap. Casting has not yet been announced for Nathan Detroit or Sarah Brown though, so perhaps there is a surprise in store for us soon..

It may have only been running since April, but Billy Elliot the Musical is already saying goodbye to one of its original boys. James Lomas, who at fifteen was the oldest of the three originators, will leave the show on Saturday to be replaced by Leon Cooke on Monday. Just turned fourteen, Leon is from Newcastle under Lyme and cites ballet as his favourite dance technique, but also studies tap, gymnastics, theatrecraft, song and dance and streetdance. Joining him as best friend Michael is Joey Phillips, a thirteen year old from Lytham St Annes, who studies tap and modern in his home town, much needed for Michael's strenuous tap routine. Joining them is a new set of ballet girls as well, though the rest of the original cast remain, including Haydn Gwynne, Tim Healy and – of course – Billy boys George Maguire and Liam Mower. The show remains heavily sold, especially at weekends where tickets are hard to come by until November.

Kevin Spacey's second Old Vic season has been announced. Though he told a press conference that he didn't want audiences to come to the theatre 'because I'm on stage', he will still appear in two out of the five productions. Currently in previews as Richard II, directed by Trevor Nunn, he will return in a year to star in O'Neill's A Moon for the Misbegotten, directed by Howard Davies, reuniting the pair after the success of their '98 production of The Iceman Cometh. After the return of Ian McKellen in Aladdin at Christmas, January sees the opening of The Soldier's Tale, a play by an Iraqi poet, written with English writer Rebecca Lenkiewicz, directed by Andrew Steggall. Then, in February, veteran film director Robert Altman directs one of Arthur Miller's final plays - Resurrection Blues, which Miller continued to revise after its world premiere in America shortly before his death. Another play is still to be announced for summer. Full details and dates can be found on the Old Vic's website.
 

Mike Leigh's new play Two Thousand Years will open tonight (Thursday 15th) at The National Theatre. Until recently the play existed under the title 'a new play by Mike Leigh', but a title was promised by press night. All tickets for the season - 84 performances in rep - sold out before first preview, but this was no surprise given the theatre only holds 300. Leigh's method of rehearsal requires 18 weeks with a cast, so it is vital it is a success financially, as the usual rehearsal period is just 6 weeks. He uses various different improvisational techniques, asking the cast to create characters based on people they know and not revealing plot spoilers to other characters. According to the Sunday Telegraph's Richard Hastings, who reviewed it after first preview, it is 'this story of Jewish parents struggling with their son's zealous dedication to the faith'.

And finally, what a triumphant year for David Grindley. After directing Kevin Spacey in National Anthems, he went onto direct David Schwimmer in Some Girl(s), then the critically acclaimed production of What the Butler Saw at the Hampstead – which has now transferred to the West End – and he's now riding on a wave of success with The Philanthropist at the Donmar Warehouse starring Simon Russell Beale. And, as if that wasn't enough, his revival production of Journey's End will return to the West End for its fourth season in two years, not to mention two UK tours as well. Impressive stuff, and given the latest slew of five star reviews for The Philanthropist it looks likely he will have an equally exciting 2006. In the pipeline is Richard Greenberg's The American Plan – currently on hold whilst they look for a lead actress - and a new comedy about the European Union with playwright Richard Bean and ACT Productions.