Josh Hartnett's Rain Man delayed for rehearsals
Tuesday, 02 Sep 2008 16:47
Josh Hartnett's West End debut delayed for extra rehearsals
Josh Hartnett's West End debut has been delayed for a week to allow for extra rehearsal time.
The Pearl Harbour actor is to play car dealer Charlie Babbitt, the role originated by Tom Cruise in the 1988 film, in a limited run of the play from September 19th.
However, the play is a week behind schedule, following the withdrawal of original director David Grindley, who pulled out for family reasons.
Terry Johnson has stepped in to direct the production at the Apollo Theatre, which also sees British actor Adam Godley following in the Oscar-winning footsteps of Dustin Hoffman by playing Raymond Babbitt, Charlie's autistic brother.
In a statement following his casting in July, Harnett, 29, said it has always been his "intent to work on the London stage".
"While I've had many opportunities, it was only when I read the complex and charismatic character of Charlie Babbitt that I knew the time was right," he added.
"I feel very fortunate to make my London bow with such an esteemed producer and director and I'm also looking forward to working with Adam Godley, who is an extraordinary talent. Can't wait to live and work in London, a city I adore!"
Nica Burns told trade newspaper the Stage Hartnett had rejected film roles to take the West End part and said he predicted the Black Dahlia star would complement Godley wonderfully.
"This is not the film on stage, it's a theatrical adaptation of what is a really great story," he added.