Off The King's Road, Jermyn Street Theatre

Oscar-winnning Hollywood star Jeff Bridges will be gracing London with his digital presence with an e-appearance for the UK premiere of new play Off The King's Road. Playwright Neil Koenigsberg says: 'audiences will get to see Jeff on stage (so to speak) in a funny-sad, rich and endearing performance that enhances all four other actors and the whole production.'

The Big Lebowski actor has pre-recorded footage on Skype to play a Los Angeles psychiatrist who provides his counselling virtually, via video call to his client in London. Retired American businessman Matt is staying in a small hotel just off Chelsea's King's Road. But his holiday-making is turned upside down by encounters with a kindly hotel clerk, crazy cat lady and a Romanian prostitute. And so begins an unplanned journey of self-discovery, guided by video calls to his therapist in the States.

Bridges isn't the only one bringing star power to the show: American TV star Michael Brandon (Episodes, Captain America) and English actress Cherie Lunghi (Excalibur, Strictly Come Dancing) will be acting in the more traditional sense: live on stage, every night.

When it opened Off-Broadway, reviews for Off The King's Road were middling, with a story that is 'sometimes obvious and contrived'. But critics praised the 'endearing' performances. We look forward to seeing how the new cast fare for the UK production.