Martin Clunes in talks to star in Harvey revival?

Martin Clunes is reportedly in negotiations to star in a revival of Mary Chase's rarely seen Pulitzer Prize-winning play Harvey.

The 1944 play centres on Elwood P. Dowd, who is sent to a sanatorium by his family for claiming to befriend a giant, anthropomorphic rabbit.

According to the Daily Mail Clunes, star of Men Behaving Badly and Doc Martin, has had his eye on the role of Dowd – who was played on screen by James Stewart – for "30 years", since playing another character in a production in Bristol.

He has apparently spoken to American producer Don Gregory about appearing in a production at the Chichester Festival Theatre next autumn, ahead of the West End.

Jonathan Church, who is in line to direct, told the Mail: "It’s a completely charming piece, and Martin’s perfect casting."

Clunes, son of actor Alec Clunes, is rarely seen on stage, though he did appear in a production of Moliere's Tartuffe at the National in 2002.