Article: Stars and strife: Sir Peter Hall accuses Hollywood big names of 'strangling' British theatre Rob Lowe is the latest in a line of good-looking, famous faces from America to be hired to fill playhouses over here. But the obsession with Tinseltown glamour is choking more creative talents, says the UK's leading director.

Britain's most eminent theatre director has attacked the Hollywood invasion of the British stage, accusing producers of scrabbling for big names at the expense of artistic values. London's theatres are playing host to an ever-expanding cast of US film and television stars, with the likes of Matt Damon, Rob Lowe and Gwyneth Paltrow all helping to bolster audiences. But Sir Peter, who helped found the Royal Shakespeare Company, has decided to speak out, saying that the search for West Coast glamour is stifling innovation and good writing.

The trend for major movie stars heading to London's West End started as far back as the late 1990s, led by stars such as Nicole Kidman, Kevin Spacey and ...

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