UK Rialto Chatter: Pop Star Lily Allen Headed to West End 'Reasons to Be Pretty'?

UK entertainment sites are now reporting that pop star Lily Allen is planning to make her theatrical debut in 2010, starring in the West End production of Reasons to Be Pretty. She told journalists this weekend that her touring ends in March at which point she'll be ready to 'try something new.' The site also reports that she has started acting lessons in preparation. "The play is about themes close to my heart," Allen explained, adding that she finds the prospect of starring in the production "amazing and terrifying"

Marin Ireland, Steven Pasquale, Piper Perabo and Thomas Sadoski starred in the four-person play, directed by Terry Kinney on Broadway. This year, Reasons To Be Pretty was nominated for 3 Tony Awards, including Best Play, 2 Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Play, 3 Drama League Awards, including Distinguished Production of a Play and 4 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Play.

Reasons To Be Pretty confronts America's obsession with physical beauty headlong. In Neil LaBute's new play, Greg's (Sadoski) tight-knit social circle is thrown into turmoil when his off-handed remarks about a female co-worker's pretty face (and his girlfriend's lack thereof) get back to said girlfriend (Ireland). But that's just the beginning.

Scenic Design is by David Gallo, Costume Design is by Sarah J. Holden, Lighting Design is by David Weiner and Music & Sound Design is by Rob Milburn & Michael Bodeen.