Russell Brand to Star in Eric Idle Stage Musical WHAT ABOUT DICK?

According to comedy.co.uk, comedian Russell Brand is set to take the starring role in Eric Idle's latest stage musical WHAT ABOUT DICK? at LA's Orpheum Theatre. The cast will also include fellow stand-ups Billy Connolly and Eddie Izzard, as well as actors Tracey Ullman, Sophie Winkleman, Tim Curry and Jane Leeves. The former Monty Python star will narrate the piece which will be presented as a radio play with actors reading from scripts.

The production is set to run for four nights in April, from the 26th to the 29th. Penned by Idle and his long-time musical collaborator John Du Prez, the story is described as a "farcial romp that follows Oxford student Dick as he studies philosophy and gynecology".

Idle recently told the Los Angeles Times that he and Du Prez have spent the last five years re-writing the script from a previous version of the produciton that was staged in LA in 2007. He explained, "It's essentially the same idea as before, but the part of Dick got bigger - if I'm allowed to say that." Idle also confirmed that a concert film version of the production will be recorded.

Eric Idle wrote the book for the Broadway production of 'Monty Python's Spamalot', which was based on the screenplay of Monty Python and the Holy Grail by Monty Python.