The latest defection from LA to join the gangs of Hollywood ex-patratriates gobbling up the primest of London prime real estate is Neve Campbell. The film actress is currently in London rehearsing the Robert Altman directed, Arthur Miller scripted play Resurrection Blues at the Old Vic theatre in Waterloo. The Old Vic is no stranger to asylum seekers from Hollywood: no less than Kevin Spacey runs the place as Artistic Director and keeps up a sort of creche for newly arrived film stars with fame-fatigue.
Though it sometimes feel like we are experiencing a saturation of Hollywood stars flocking to the West End for worthy stage roles, and that we might be in danger of celebrity fatigue, Neve offers a new angle on why we should do what we can for these LA exiles. "I've been culturally starved for 10 years in Los Angeles. I love that there's so much going on here," says the star of shallow schlockers such as Wild Things and Scream.
It may feel odd at first but it's okay to give in to that faint twinge of pity for those who have fled the "culture-free" pastures of Los Angeles for our slightly more well-read streets. Campbell has chosen Islington to settle in with her fiance, British actor John Light. Resurrection Blues is due to open on 14th February.
