*Hall Bags Madonna for Cat on Hot Tin Roof

Pop superstar Madonna is confirmed to make her British stage debut next summer in Sir Peter Hall's production of Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Madonna has agreed to play Southern seductress Maggie the Cat as part of the Peter Hall Company's repertory season at the Piccadilly Theatre in 1999.

According to an article in The Guardian newspaper, Hall said that Madonna was '100 per cent' committed to the production. 'I don't know how long it'll run or when, but she's agreed,' said Hall. He visited the star in New York this past February to discuss the project.

According to The Guardian, Madonna has sought tips from Elizabeth Taylor, who played the role in the 1958 film, and has been approved by copywright controllers and trustees at the University of the South in Sawanee, Tennessee.

Hall staged the original London production of the steamy classic 40 years ago. The play was last seen in London ten years ago at the National Theatre.

Hall's 40-strong company, resident at the Piccadilly since March following its initial 1997 season at the Old Vic, has already attracted leading British actors such as Dame Judi Dench, Elaine Page, Peter Bowles and Michael Pennington. Hall and his producer Bill Kenwright run the capital's only unsubsidised repertory company on a lean budget, with stars accepting substantial pay cuts to appear.

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