Press reports suggest that Nicole Kidman will be moving to London - following other celebrities like Madonna, on the grounds that London is more civilized than L.A. as a place in which to bring up children.

However, the downside of the breaking news story is that she has been advised - apparently by the Donmar Warehouse's Sam Mendes himself - that she should concentrate on her film career this year, rather than take time off for more stage work in the Donmar's upcoming double bill of Twelfth Night and Uncle Vanya. Kidman was said to be set to star in both.

If this is true then it shows a remarkable selflessness on Mendes' part, as to have Kidman in his final season at the Donmar - as fevered press articles have anticipated over the last couple of months - would have been a dazzling way to bow out of the Covent Garden venue that he has run for the last ten years.

Miss Kidman's withdrawal from the forthcoming season rather leaves Simon Russell Beale, who will play Vanya and Malvolio in the productions, without a belle at his ball, but with Sam Mendes' connections it shouldn't be long before he places a glass slipper on the foot of another beautiful box office draw.

—by Paul Webb Theatrenow