Hoffman brings play to London’s West End

The stream of Hollywood talent that is keeping the West End stage alive – from Nicole Kidman to Josh Hartnett in recent years – is to be boosted by Philip Seymour Hoffman (pictured). However, the 41-year-old who won an Oscar for Capote is coming to town not to act but to direct an Australian play called Riflemind, about a group of ageing rock musicians who reform after 20 years.

To open on September 18 at Trafalgar Studios, the play will star John Hannah, once seen in Four Weddings and a Funeral. It was written by Andrew Upton, husband of Cate Blanchett, who is co-artistic director of the Sydney Theatre Company where it premiered last year. Hoffman, soon to be seen in The Boat That Rocked, Richard Curtis’s latest film, does have stage pedigree. He is artistic director of New York’s LAByrinth Theater Company.

A West End producer says: "It is an unfortunate fact of life that big names sell seats. But these stars aren’t doing it for the hell of it. They’re not as busy as you think and we are constantly getting calls from Hollywood agents asking if we've got a role for so-and-so. Nicole Kidman's star shot up after she did The Blue Room [at the Donmar Warehouse in 1998]. Getting noticed in the right play, even in London, can do wonders for your film career."