Spacey directed the company's debut show, Cloaca, and because he was hounded in the media at that time, he is giving no interviews now. Instead, he will let his onstage character as a couple’s mysterious neighbor do his talking for him.

Spacey's co-star, Mary Stuart Masterson, is talking and told the Observer newspaper, “It feels as if [Spacey’s] tenure at the Vic is well-earned. He’s a workhorse, and who better to invest your theatre’s future with? . . . It’s actually about the work. Whether you like it or not, Kevin’s going to work his butt off, this isn’t a side job for him.”

Spacey previously appeared in National Anthems at the Long Wharf Theatre in Connecticut’s New Haven, where his co-stars were Tom Berenger and Mary McDonnell. He reprises his old role, Ben Cook, in London.

Stuart Masterson makes her London stage debut as Leslie Reed. Her New York appearances have included Alice in Wonderland and Nine, for which she was nominated for a Tony and won a 2003 Theatre World Award. Her many movie credits include “Immediate Family” and “Fried Green Tomatoes.” Steven Weber, a Leo Bloom in The Producers on Broadway, plays her husband.

Spacey has relinquished the directorial reins to David Grindley. Another Grindley production, Journey’s End, is currently enjoying a long run in the West End (at the Duke of York’s Theatre). Designs are by Jonathan Fensom, sound by Gregory Clarke and lighting by Jason Taylor. The show is scheduled to run until April 23. For more information, call (0)870 060 6628.