Olivier Award-winning actor James Dreyfus stars in a new production of Mary Chase’s Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy Harvey.

Directed by Lindsay Posner, the Gimme Gimme Gimme star will appear as Elwood P Dowd in the infamous tale of a man’s unwavering friendship with a six-foot tall invisible rabbit named Harvey.

First seen on Broadway in 1944 before being immortalised on screen in the 1950s film adaptation starring James Stewart, Chase’s hilarious story sees Elwood’s sister Veta attempt to save the family’s reputation by taking him to see psychiatrist Dr William Chumley. But when the doctor mistakenly commits anxiety-ridden Veta instead of her brother, it sets off a whirlwind of confusion and chaos as everyone tries to catch a man and his invisible rabbit.

Last seen on the London stage in Candide at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Dreyfus is well-known for his extensive screen credits that include the hugely successful film Notting Hill and starring roles in televisions series Mount Pleasant, My Hero and The Thin Blue Line. On stage he has won an Olivier Award for his role in The Lady In The Dark at the National Theatre and also boasts West End credits in productions of Cabaret and Breakfast At Tiffany’s.

Dreyfus is joined in the production by fellow Olivier Award winner Maureen Lipman, who was last seen on the London stage in Daytona at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, as Veta.

Harvey’s run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket is preceded by its premiere at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.