Culkin Sets Sights on West End Credibility

Macaulay Culkin may be the next somewhat unlikely Hollywood name to tread the boards in the West End. The former child star of the Home Alone films has reportedly auditioned for and secured the lead in Richard Nelson's play Madame Melville - produced by Gregory Mosher, Adam Kenwright and Andrew Fell - which is expected to open in the West End in October.

Culkin, now 19, became a phenomenon in the early 1990s with starring roles in films including Home Alone, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, My Girl, The Good Son and Richie Rich. But, as with many child stars, Culkin had trouble getting parts as he got older. Personal and professional problems, particularly with his divorced parents who waged a fierce custody battle for control over him and his finances, didn't help. Culkin's last film role was in 1994's Getting Even with Dad.

According to an article in The Express newspaper, Madame Melville requires Culkin to play a Graduate-style young man, seduced by an older woman, in this case a thirty-something French teacher, the Madame Melville of the title. Leading French actresses, including Irene Jacob, star of Three Colours Red and The Double Life of Veronique, are being targeted to co-star.

Related Content