CALISTA FLOCKHART - THEATRE DEAL BRINGS STARS TO LONDON STAGE

Movie stars including CALISTA FLOCKHART and JAKE GYLLENHAAL are set to take over the London stage following an exclusive deal.

Theatre director LAWRENCE BOSWELL and AMBASSADOR THEATRE GROUP have signed a contract allowing him to direct and produce while collaborating with whoever he wants to work with.

And Boswell has already signed up DONNIE DARKO's Gyllenhaal to star in ROMEO AND JULIET, and ALLY McBEAL actress Flockhart will feature in THE DOLL'S HOUSE.

The director has already worked with MADONNA, MATT DAMON, FREDDIE PRINZE JR and Gyllenhaal in recent productions in London's West End theatres.

And despite some commentators who criticise the casting of celebrities over lesser-known actors, Boswell is happy with the contract.

He explains, "It is a device for me to put plays on. I hope it is a way I can do the kind of work I want with the kind of people I want to work with."