Dreyfuss Reveals Too Much to Frank Skinner???

Is the role of Max Bialystock in The Producers a poisoned chalice to anyone not named Nathan Lane? He won a Tony for the role, which he’ll also recreate on screen, and helped to make Mel Brooks’ musical comedy one of the biggest hits in Broadway history. But the box office hasn’t reached those heady highs without Lane, while spin-off productions have been more muted, and successors to the role have frequently suffered by comparison. Famously, multi award-winning British actor Henry Goodman, who was hired to succeed Lane on Broadway two-and-a-half years ago, was sacked by Brooks before being allowed to face the critics (See News, 16 Apr 2002). Now, despite massive pre-opening hype, Hollywood veteran Richard Dreyfuss has been forced to withdraw before a single performance of the UK premiere production at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane (See Today’s News). Officially, the reason is recurring physical injuries. However, the West End rumour mill is already going into overdrive, especially after Dreyfuss’ PR bungle on The Frank Skinner Show, aired on ITV last Thursday, 14 October. The actor told the live audience: “The Producers opens November 9th. Come from Christmas on. Do not come before that, okay? I want you to know that the general manager just had a heart attack when I said that. Actors don't like people to come straight away. It's too stressful - wait till we have fun - then come. Come, come, come, keep coming, bring your friends. But if I see a face from this audience, before Christmas I swear I'll kill you - I'll skin you.” To which Skinner replied: “There you have it - don't go and see Richard Dreyfuss.” Now, it seems, we can all follow that advice.

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