It will play to Nov. 1. Prior to London, it played at the Cambridge Arts Theatre from Sept. 11-20.

The play is adapted from Tracy Chevalier's novel that was also subsequently made into a film in 2003 that starred Colin Firth as Vermeer and Scarlett Johansson as Griet, the young woman he hires to help in his house. She soon becomes more than a servant, learning the art of painting herself by watching him work. Secretly, he begins to paint her, and she becomes model and muse for his greatest masterpiece, "Girl with a Pearl Earring."

Dunbar last appeared on the London stage in last year when he took over the role of playboy Bernard in Boeing-Boeing at the Comedy Theatre. His film appearances include roles in "My Left Foot," "The Crying Game," "The General" and more. On TV he has appeared in "Cracker," "Tough Love," "Inspector Morse," "Kidnapped," "Murphy's Law" and "Murder in Mind."

He is joined in the cast by Kimberley Mixon (who played Sophy in the TV adaptation of "Cranford") as Griet, with Sara Kestelman as Maria Thins, Niall Buggy as Van Ruijven and Lesley Vickerage as Catherina. Also in the cast are Maggie Service, Jonathan Bailey and Flora Spencer-Longhurst. The play is directed by Joe Dowling (whose Broadway credits include the Roundabout's production of Tartuffe in 2003, London Assurance, Philadelphia, Here I Come! and Juno and the Paycock), with set and lighting design by Peter Mumford, costume design by Fotini Dimou, sound by Matt McKenzie and original music by Christopher Gunning. It is produced by Brian Eastman and Andrew Welch.

For tickets, contact the box office on 0845 481 1870, or visit www.girlwithapearlearring.com.