London’s Stones in His Pockets to Close Early

By John Nathan
17 Nov 2006

The London revival of Marie Jones' Stones in His Pockets will finish Dec. 2 because actor Hugh Lee continues to suffer from ill health.

The production, starring Lee and Simon Delaney, had been booking at the West End’s Duchess Theatre until March 3, 2007. But the Nov. 6 press night was canceled because Lee, it was announced, had been taken ill with a viral illness.

From Nov. 7 understudies John Cronin and Conrad Kemp took on the respective roles of Charlie and Jake and the comedy’s many other male and female characters.

But without alternative covers for the replacement cast, it has been decided that Stones will close. It is hoped the show will return to London in a year’s time.

The two-hander, about two extras working on a Hollywood movie being shot on location in Ireland, received its premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1999. It went on to become a West End hit at the New Ambassadors after opening in February 2000, winning a Best Comedy Olivier.

The show played over 200 performances on Broadway with its London cast (Conleth Hill and Sean Campion), opening April 1, 2001, at the John Golden Theatre. But like many productions, Stones had its run truncated by the 9/11 attacks, closing Sept. 23.