Dominic West to return for West End run

Dominic West is due to return to the stage in London's West End from June.

The actor, known for appearances in HBO's The Wire, 300 and Centurion, will take on the role of Ben Butley in a new production of Simon Gray's award-winning comedy Butley, alongside stage actress Penny Downie and Withnail And I's Paul McGann.

Starting its run at the Criterion Theatre from June 1, the play promises a "razor-sharp and darkly comic assault on the soft underbelly of academia".

The production, which will see Downie as Edna Shaft and McGann as Reg Nuttall, marks the 40th anniversary of the play, which first premiered in 1971 under Harold Pinter's direction, with Alan Bates in the titular role.

West's previous stage credits include runs in The Seagull at the Old Vic and As You Like It at the West End Theatre.