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Lukis Replaces Spacey in Philadelphia Story, June 20-Aug 6

By: Jun. 03, 2005
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While Kevin Spacey is off shooting Superman Returns (in which he plays Lex Luthor), Adrian Lukis will replace him as CK Dexter Haven in the hit Old Vic production of The Philadelphia Story, which recently extended its run to September 3rd.

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Spacey will be absent from June 20th to August 6th, but will return to the show on August 8th. Meanwhile, his role is in reliable hands. Lukis previously appeared at the Old Vic as Tom in the Spacey-directed production of Cloaca, and his other London credits include Dinner, Dead Funny and Sleep With Me.

Aside from Lukis, the cast of the sparkling Philip Barry comedy will stay the same during Spacey's absence. Jennifer Ehle appears as uptight, engaged socialite Tracy Lord, who lets her hair down with the help of her ex-husband CK Dexter Haven. The production, which co-stars Oliver Cotton, Nicholas Le Provost, Richard Lintern, Julia McKenzie, Damien Matthews, DW Moffett, Talulah Riley and Lauren Ward, opened at the Old Vic on May 3rd and is directed by Jerry Zaks. Set design is by John Lee Beatty, while Tom Rand designed the costumes, Hugh Vanstone handled the lighting and Fergus O'Hare the sound design.

The show, despite mixed reviews, is currently a London hit that plays to full houses. The Philadelphia Story opened with an advance of £1.2 million.

The Philadelphia Story starred Katharine Hepburn in its original 1939 Broadway production; she would repeat the role of Tracy in the classic 1940 film that also starred James Stewart and Cary Grant. A 1956 film musical entitled High Society starred Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, and set the story to a Cole Porter score. High Society became a Broadway musical in 1998.

A possible commerical transfer is being considered by Spacey and co-producers Duncan C. Weldon and Paul Elliott, although no announcement has been made. The Philadelphia Story is booking tickets until August 6th.

For more information, call (0)870 060 6628.





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