By James Inverne
22 Mar 2005

Since the withdrawal of Richard Dreyfuss (last-minute) and then Nathan Lane (scheduled) from the London cast of The Producers, British comic Lee Evans as Leo Bloom has been the show’s biggest name.

With the other famous cast member, James Dreyfuss (best-known for camp turns in the movie “Notting Hill” and the TV sitcom “The Tin Red Line”) as Carmen Ghia having had his own share of absences, Evans’ 100 percent attendance record has been all the more important. So the question of who would replace Evans has had industry-watchers guessing with some concern.

Mystery over — according to Variety, John Gordon Sinclair will play Bloom at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane beginning April 25.

While not as well known as Evans, Gordon Sinclair won enduring fame in the U.K. for his turn in the 1981 film “Gregory’s Girl.” Since then, his West End bows have included the lead in the musical She Loves Me, a performance that won him an Olivier Award. The role of Max is currently played by Brad Oscar, who understudied and then succeeded Nathan Lane on Broadway.

Other cast members include Leigh Zimmerman as Ulla, Nicolas Colicos as Franz Liebkind and Conleth Hill as Roger De Bris. Susan Stroman directs.

For more details, call (0)870 890 1109.