James Dreyfus to star in UK tour of Harvey prior to West End

It's been announced that James Dreyfus is to lead the cast in Lindsay Posner's new production of Harvey by Mary Chase.

The award winning actor will be playing the lead role of Elwood P. Dowd. This revival will begin at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, where it will run from 6 to 21 February 2015, before embarking on a UK tour until March. The show is also set to land in the West End following the tour.

Harvey is comedy telling the story of Elwood P. Dowd who has only one character flaw: an unwavering friendship with a six-foot tall, invisible rabbit named Harvey. In order to save the family's reputation, Elwood's sister Veta takes him to see psychiatrist Dr William Chumley. But when the doctor mistakenly commits anxiety-ridden Veta instead of her brother, it sets off an hilarious whirlwind of confusion and chaos as everyone tries to catch a man and his invisible rabbit.

Dreyfus' recent theatre credits include Dr Pangloss in Candide (Menier Chocolate Factory), Pauncefort Quentin in The Vortex (Rose Theatre Kingston) and OJ Berman in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (Haymarket Theatre).

Lindsay Posner's most recent directorial credit is Speed-the-Plow starring Lindsay Lohan at the Playhouse Theatre.

Harvey opens at Birmingham Repertory Theatre on 6 February 2015, before touring to Malvern Theatres (24-28 February), Richmond Theatre (3-7 March) and Brighton Theatre Royal (17-21 March).