Stephen Dillane returns to the West End as the star of Australian playwright Hannie Rayson's new play Life After George, which opens at the Duchess Theatre on Feb. 19, 2002.

In Life After George the life of the recently deceased Peter George, played by Dillane, is recalled by his three ex-wives when they gather together to arrange his funeral. The story of George, a charismatic university professor, unfolds through a series of flashbacks from the 60's to present day, with each wife representing a different era in his life.

Stephen Dillane's most recent performance in London was in Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing at the Donmar Warehouse, for which he received an Olivier nomination and the Evening Standard Award for Best Actor of 1999. Dillane also starred in the Broadway transfer of the hit production, where he went on to win a Tony Award for Best Actor. His other notable performances include the title role in Sir Peter Hall's 1994 production of Hamlet, and Angels in America in which he played one of the two lead roles. Dillane also starred in the film "Welcome to Sarajevo." The cast of Life After George also includes Cheryl Cambell and Joanne Pearce.

The production is being directed by Michael Blakemore, whose multi award winning Broadway production of Kiss Me, Kate has received critical acclaim since its transfer to London's Victoria Palace. Another hit directed by Blakemore was Michael Frayn's Copenhagen, which also played on both sides of the Atlantic and received multiple awards, including the Evening Standard Award for Best New Play in 1998 and three Tony Awards, including the Best Director Tony for Blakemore.

Life After George will take the place of Blue/Orange, which has had a successful run in the West End, having started at the National's Cottesloe Theatre in April 2000 and transferred to the Duchess in April 2001.

For more information on Life After George call the Duchess Theatre box office on 020 7494 5075.

—by Deirdre Smith Theatrenow