Joanna Lumley’s Broadway debut is absolutely fabulous

Now, at 64, she has finally made her debut — and gone down a storm.

At Manhattan's Music Box Theatre last night, Lumley took to the stage as Princess Conti in the 17th-century French-set comedy La Bête.

The revival of David Hirson's 1991 play has hit New York after a run at the Comedy Theatre last summer. The actress said: "I never thought it would happen. In what wild dream would one ever think one would play Broadway? I have been asked several times in the past but I was thrilled to come with this because it's such a strange, unique play."

Mark Rylance, Frasier star David Hyde Pierce and director Matthew Warchus have also made the move to New York. Rylance is buffoonish street entertainer Valere, roped into a highbrow theatre troupe to the distaste of idealistic actor-playwright Elomire (Hyde Pierce).

The show was a Broadway flop first time round, but found success in London, with critics praising Rylance's tour de force. Now US reviewers have lauded both him and Lumley.

The New York Times called her "delightful," the Hollywood Reporter praised her "amusing, imperious style" while New York Magazine described her  as "regal, frightening ... very funny."  Michael Riedel, the famously acerbic New York Post columnist, said she was "hilarious and terrifying".

The actress said: "La Bête is an American play written by an American for American people. It speaks more to Americans here than it does to us — the vapidity of being ruled by fools who are empty and people talking to fill up space."

Hyde Pierce added: "They just adore Joanna here. Her entrance in this play is one of the greatest I've ever seen. They are eating her up — because she is completely edible!" The opening night drew actors including Cynthia Nixon, Matthew Broderick and Angela Lansbury.