Article: The star-struck stage; Who cares about the play? Fame is what sells in the West End today.

Byline: NICHOLAS DE JONGH

IF you want to catch the spirit of these weird theatrical times, consider Madonna and Matt Damon. Both American stars are about to make their London stage debuts.

Tickets are running out for Madonna's appearance in David Williamson's Up For Grabs, which opens next month for a limited season.

Damon, who takes over the lead in Kenneth Lonergan's drugs-and-sex drama This Is Our Youth, is helping the boxoffice advance at the Garrick.

Yet neither performer has worked regularly on stage.

Madonna once starred on Broadway in David Mamet's Speed the Plow, and emerged with just-respectable reviews.

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