BUT IS IT ART?

Our very own Alfred Molina has been confirmed for the Broadway production of Yasmina Reza's ART with Alan Alda and Victor Garber. A great cast for a perfect play.

Yasmina Reza's latest play L'Homme Du Hassard, translated by Christopher Hampton and directed by Mathew Warchus will be produced at the Royal Shakespeare Company in The Pit.

Its English title is The Unexpected Man. Casting will probably be high profile but no details are available as of yet.

RENT After attending a press conference for Dr. Dolittle it was on to the industry launch for RENT. We were in the Penthouse Suite of the Hampshire Hotel, (hardly an establishment the characters from the show would recognise), overlooking all the major sites of London. Anthony Rapp was telling me how much he is looking forward to coming here in March. They played us pieces from the score and a video. I think that, with Chicago, Rent, Dolittle, Whistle Down The Wind we've got a great season ahead of us.

IN THE NICK

The Magistrate, a heavenly farce by Arthur Wing Pinero is the latest Chichester Festival Theatre transfer. It opens at the Savoy on December 9.

The cast includes Ian Richardson (House of Cards), Abigail McKern, Graham Crowden and Frank Middlemass, Nick Broadhurst directs. The Magistrate was completely sold out on tour.

HMMM HMMM HMMM HMMM STAYIN' ALIVE

The Bee Gees and Celine Dion have recorded a new number for Robert Stigwood's production of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER which opens at the London Palladium May 98. The track will be appearing on Celine's new album.

MARTIN MOVES OVER

Martin Guerre will depart from the Prince Edward Theatre Feb. 28, before, it is believed, embarking on a National tour.

After an unfortunate beginning, Cameron Mackintosh re-worked the piece, attended to the book, cleared up the narrative line and produced a real gem. I think it will have a long, long life. Especially in America. Perhaps a decent try-out would be a good idea.

MEEOW

Peter Hall's forthcoming production of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof will star beautiful English rose, Jennifer Ehle, who shot to fame in the BBC's adaptation of "Pride And Prejudice" which also featured Colin Firth.

BRRRRR...

We look forward to welcoming Kevin Spacey to the Almeida next spring in The Ice Man Cometh.

More next week.

--By Ashley Herman
Applause, London