All the world's a stage! Why Hollywood just loves theatre sabaticals
These are the Hollywood stars who put their acting skills to the test in front of West-End and Broadway's biggest audiences. From big screen heavy-hitters like Nicole Kidman and Benedict Cumberbatch, to famous singers showing off their high notes in musical productions.
Getty ImagesNatalie Dormer is a force to be reckoned with in Venus In Fur, the critically-acclaimed two-hander starring the Game of Thrones actress and David Oakes. The show will run at London's Theatre Royal Haymarket until 9 December. Natalie plays enigmatic actress Vanda Jordan who appears unannounced for an audition with director Thomas Novachek. She's determined to land the leading role in his new production - despite seeming wrong for the part. Be warned: Natalie willblow you away.
Rex FeaturesEmma Stone was clearly the queen of the big screen in 2017. Her lead role in the hit musical La La Land earned her an Oscar and was truly both the critics and audience favourite. But it turns out this might not have happened if it wasn't for a little something else. Before being cast for the movie, in 2014, Emma starred in the Broadway production of Cabaret, where she also sang and danced. La La Land's director Damien Chazelle, saw the play (on a night when Emma was unwell) and yet her performance won Damien over, who a couple years later offered her the role of Mia.
Recognise this face? It's former X Factor champion Leona Lewis making her stage debut in Cats. Speaking about her role, Leona said: “It is an incredible honour be asked by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber to join the CATS family". She continued: “I will never forget seeing the show as a little girl and how blown away I was by the magical experience of it. I am beyond thrilled for my Broadway debut to be in such an iconic show. To work with a team as legendary as those on CATS is an experience I will cherish every moment of.”
Getty ImagesRebel Wilson has made her stage debut as Miss Adelaide in the West End production of Guys and Dolls. The role is the Pitch Perfect star's first foray into stage work. Speaking about the role, Rebel said: 'I am delighted to be making my West End debut in Guys & Dolls and to be playing such an iconic role as Miss Adelaide is truly an honor. Hopefully I crush it... but you'll have to come and see me to find out!' (sic). She's rocking that costume better than we ever could.
Helen MaybanksMatthew Perry made his play-writing and stage debut recently with his first offering, The End Of Longing. The Friends actor received a standing ovation after its premiere night, but since critics have not been so supportive with The Guardian giving it two stars... We don't care. Chandler can do no wrong in our eyes.
GettyKeira Knightley might have just welcomed a baby daughter but that doesn't seem to have slowed her down. The actress made her Broadway debut in Thérèse Raquin, where she played the title role. Unfortunately her opening night was disrupted when an unruly member of the audience started shouting at the actress. "Keira did a very good job of keeping her composure. The guy kept yelling things and she kept going on with the play without missing a beat," one eye-witness said.
Getty ImagesNicole Kidman is set to appear as scientist Rosalind Franklin in Photograph 51 about the discovery of DNA. The play by Anna Ziegler reveals the sexism and hostility that led to Franklin being denied the Nobel Prize.
Johan PerssonTickets sold out in minutes for Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal of Hamlet at the Barbican. We're more used to seeing him as Sherlock but critics are already praising his performance following the early previews.
Getty ImagesA bearded and bespectacled Jake Gyllenhaal held hands with his co-star Ellen Greene during the curtain call of the opening might of their new play, Little Shop Of Horrors on Broadway.
Getty ImagesJamie Campbell Bower is currently playing Jonathan Rhys Meyers' character, Joe, in London's Bend It Like Beckham: The Musical. We can't wait to see it! 2002 eat your <3 out.
Getty ImagesVanessa Hudgens took to the stage in New York City for GIGI's opening night. The dress is pretty dramatic, huh?
Getty ImagesIn December 2014, Bradley Cooper looked a far cry from his various on-screen characters as he performed in the opening night of Elephant Man.
Rex FeaturesIn September 2014, Bridesmaids actress Rose Byrne made her Broadway debut opposite James Earl Jones in You Can’t Take It With You.
Rex FeaturesCarey Mulligan (supported by the fabulous Bill Nighy) made her theatrical presence felt as she appeared on stage at the opening night of the play Skylight at Wyndham's Theatre in London. Carey plays the lead role of school teacher Kyra Hollis in the David Hare penned play.
Rex FeaturesMichelle Williams made her Broadway debut in Cabaret in April 2014, playing singer Sally Bowles in the production. The actress took over after Emma Stone had to pull out due to scheduling conflicts whilst Kate Winslet’s ex Sam Mendes directed it.
Rex FeaturesChris O'Dowd looks far removed from his smooth red carpet self on the opening night of Of Mice And Men in March 2014.
Getty ImagesThe Irish actor was joined by a an all-star cast, including former Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester and James Franco.
Rex FeaturesAt the play's close, Leighton Meester was seen taking a bow with actor Jim Norton.
Getty ImagesKeira Knightley made a second appearance on the West End stage in The Children’s Hour, playing a lesbian headmistress alongside Mad Men’s Elisabeth Moss.
Rex FeaturesAnna Friel played the role made famous by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast At Tiffany’s in 2009, complete with little black dress and oversized hat.
Getty ImagesFresh from his success on Downton Abbey, Dan Stevens turned his attention to Broadway, playing Morris Townsend in Henry James’ Heiress. Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain starred opposite him as the aforementioned rich lady.
Rex FeaturesDavid Tennant’s prolific theatre career most recently includes Much Ado About Nothing (pictured) and Richard II.
Rex FeaturesHelen Mirren got an Oscar for her role as Queen Elizabeth so no one was very surprised when she put on the cardigan and pearls again, this time on stage. The actress appeared in The Audience, about the weekly audiences given by the Queen to various prime ministers, and won an Olivier Award for the part.
Rex FeaturesGemma Arterton swapped Bond for the West End, making her theatre debut in The Little Dog Laughed in 2010.
Rex FeaturesHugh Jackman has his roots in musical theatre. He has appeared in Carousel, The Boy From Oz, A Steady Rain and [/i]Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway[/i].
Rex FeaturesKatie Holmes likes to intersperse her film and movie roles with a bit of Broadway. She made her NY debut in 2008 in the Arthur Miller play, All My Sons, and followed it up with Dead Accounts in 2012.
Rex FeaturesJude Law has always taken on theatre roles alongside his movie parts. One of his recent roles was in Doctor Faustus, but he's also done Hamlet and Anna Christie.
Rex FeaturesWhen Kevin Spacey took on the reins at the Old Vic, Londoners knew they were in for a treat. The Oscar-winner has appeared in a number of productions at the theatre, including The Philadelphia Story and Richard III.
Rex FeaturesStar Wars' Ewan McGregor swapped his light sabre for a sword for the part of villain Iago in Othello. The actor waived his usual fee and agreed to appear for the Equity minimum wage of £400 a week.
Getty ImagesAfter 10 years of blockbusters, Orlando Bloom made his stage debut in In Celebration, a play about the demise of mining in Yorkshire, and just about as far from Lord of the Rings as you can get!
Rex FeaturesStarring in blockbusters such as Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves and Interview With A Vampire gave Christian Slater a wealth of background for his role as Buddy, a brutal Hollywood executive in Swimming With Sharks.
PA PhotosNever one to turn down a difficult part, in the 2004 production of Oleanna, Julia Stiles embraced her role as a student who accuses her university professor of sexual harrassment.
Rex FeaturesIn 1998 Nicole Kidman starred in the hugely successful The Blue Room in London and New York. Tickets were hard to come by, not least because the audience caught a glimpse of Nicole's bottom.
Rex FeaturesDaniel Radcliffe caused a stir by taking on the role of Alan Strang in the West End production of Equus. The play was controversial among Harry Potter fans as in one scene Radcliffe appears naked.
Rex FeaturesSienna Miller proved herself a consummate actress by appearing in a 1940s West End production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It. As the lovely Celia, Sienna wowed crowds and wooed critics. She followed up the role a few years later with After Miss Julie.
PA PhotosBrendan Fraser may have overcome the Mummy and journeyed to the Centre Of The Earth but playing Brick in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof was a different challenge. “It is a different muscle,” the actor said of theatre.
Rex FeaturesFollowing up performances in The Queen and Harry Potter, Helen McCrory turned her attention to the stage, taking up a role in The Last Of The Haussmans at The National in 2012.
Rex FeaturesBack before he kept us all guessing in Homeland, Damian Lewis was being utterly critical of everyone around him in The Misanthrope in London’s Comedy Theatre. The ginger heart-throb starred opposite Keira Knightley, who got rave reviews as an ambitious Hollywood actress.
Rex FeaturesIron Man 3 star Rebecca Hall was directed by her dad in the 2011 production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Sir Peter Hall said he was pleased his daughter was returning to live performances: "If you want to have good theatre you need Hollywood movies because they pay. Theatre doesn't," he said.
PA PhotosScarlett Johansson swapped her Avengers leotard for a very different costume in 2010 when she took on the role of Catherine Carbone in Arthur Miller’s A View From The Bridge on Broadway. It paid off as she won a Tony Award for her performance.
Rex FeaturesBillie Piper was expecting her second child when she appeared as a security guard in Reasons To Be Pretty at London’s Almeida Theatre, and her role had to be re-written for her to accommodate the pregnancy
