Madonna demands new material

Most part-time actors would jump at the chance of a West End part - whatever the flaws in the script. But Madonna isn't like most part-time actors.

The material girl makes her West End debut next month in Up For Grabs as a scheming art dealer. But, after "suggestions" from the singer were made to the playwright and director, the play has had a number of changes.

David Williamson, the Australian author, admits: "It'll be a different play by the time it hits the stage. Both the director and Madonna and I have been emailing each other furiously."

Madonna and her six co-stars started rehearsals this week at a secret location. A spokeswoman for the play said: "Everything is going fantastically well. Madonna is charming and she is mucking in like a trouper."

Mr Williamson, whose plays and screenplays include Gallipoli and The Year Of Living Dangerously, added: "She's very sharp."

Alterations to Mr Williamson's script include a change of setting from Sydney to New York, a different ending, and new names for two characters - including Madonna's.

However, Mr Williamson, 59, who hopes the play will transfer from the West End to Broadway after Madonna's star turn, insists the singer did not dictate the changes - and listened when he or director Laurence Boswell disagreed with her: "When there are things I disagree with, I say, 'No Way!'"

Other cast members include Megan Dodds, who starred in Love In A Cold Climate and Sword of Honour. Oscar-nominated actor Michael Lerner, Tom Irwin, Danny Pino, Sian Thomas and Debora Weston complete the cast.

Preview performances of Up For Grabs begin at the Wyndham's theatre on 9 May. Touts are offering tickets for up to four times their face value . Mr Williamson is sure Madonna's acting prowess won't disappoint: "I think she's a very, very good actor."