Star Watch

West End Theatre has long been associated with star power. From the earliest days of London theatre, the name of an actor or actress has proved a powerful draw for audiences, and producers have relied more and more on star names to pull in advance bookings, publicity and big audiences. Some of the stars have made their names on the London stage, seemingly coming from nowhere and wowing critics and audiences with a performance that immediately projects them into the star league. Other stars have made their names elsewhere, whether it's in film and TV, as reality TV contestants or even politicians and sportsmen.