JULIA ROBERTS - JULIA ROBERTS TO APPEAR IN WEST END

Movie superstar JULIA ROBERTS is determined to follow in the footsteps of her Hollywood contemporaries by taking to the stage in London's West End - even though she's already pulled out of one show.

The ERIN BROCKOVICH star is coming to Britain to film sequel OCEAN'S TWELVE in February (04) and is planning to test her live acting talents in one of the capital's theatres once shooting has wrapped.

But theatre supremo DUNCAN WELDON claims the OSCAR-winning actress pulled out of a stage version of THE PHILADELPHIA STORY when KATHARINE HEPBURN - who starred in the 1940 screen version - died at the end of June (03).

He says, "(Julia was frightened her) death would lead everybody to make comparisons between them. I don't think she felt she was ready for that sort of pressure.

"What we have agreed now is that we will look for a play with a bit less profile for her in London."