OSCAR-WINNING actor Richard Dreyfuss is to return to London theatre five years after he was dramatically sacked from the musical The Producers.

The 61-year-old - famous for roles in Jaws and Close Encounters Of The Third Kind - will appear in the world premiere of a new play at the Old Vic.

He will be directed by the venue's artistic director and fellow Hollywood award-winner Kevin Spacey. The play, Complicit by Joe Sutton, is the story of a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ben Kritzer - to be played by Dreyfuss - who is hauled before the American Supreme Court. He faces the dilemma of defending his belief in the freedom of the press or protecting his family.

Spacey said he was delighted Dreyfuss was taking on this "challenging role" in what will be Spacey's fifth season in charge of the Old Vic.

"He is a brilliant actor whom I've long admired and I'm thrilled that we are being given this opportunity to work together. It's great that he's coming to London and I think audiences are in for a real treat."

Dreyfuss said: "I'm very excited to have a chance of not being fired before the opening. Stay tuned!"

Complicit runs from 7 January until 21 February.

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