American actor Richard Dreyfuss returns to the London stage to take on the lead role in Joe Sutton’s new play Complicit, directed by Kevin Spacey at the Old Vic from 7 January to 21 February (press night 22 January).
Dreyfuss is best known for his numerous film roles including Mr Holland’s Opus, What About Bob?, Tin Men, Jaws, Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, Down And Out In Beverly Hills and The Goodbye Girl, for which he won an Academy Award. He can currently be seen playing Dick Cheney in Oliver Stone’s biopic W. On stage his credits include Death And The Maiden on Broadway and The Prisoner Of Second Avenue in London in 1999. He was due to originate the role of Max Bialystock in The Producers in the West End in 2004 but was forced to withdraw from the production prior to opening night. Commenting on his return to the London stage in Complicit, Dreyfuss joked: “I’m very excited to have a chance of not being fired before the opening. So far I’m batting 500. Stay tuned!”
Director and fellow actor Spacey, who is also Artistic Director of the Old Vic, said of Dreyfuss: “He is a brilliant actor whom I’ve long admired and I’m thrilled that we are being given this opportunity to work together. It’s great that he’s coming to London and I think audiences are in for a real treat.”
Sutton’s Complicit is a powerful play that explores the world’s current political climate. Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Ben Kritzer (Dreyfuss) is hauled before the Supreme Court where he faces the dilemma of defending his belief in the freedom of the press or protecting his family.”
Sutton’s previous plays include Voir Dire, As It Is In Heaven, The Benefits Of Doubt, The Third Army, Special Interests, Restoring The Sun and Black Market.
Further casting is still to be announced.
CB