UK Roundup - Ewan McGregor, the National + Michael Grandage

In the role that Marlon Brando epitomised on screen, Ewan McGregor will star as Sky Masterson in next year's red hot production of Guys and Dolls, according to reports in the Daily Mail. Directed by acclaimed director Michael Grandage – who succeeded Sam Mendes as artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse – the revival is a co-production between the Donmar and the Ambassador's Theatre Group. With other names yet to sign up – including Will and Grace's Megan Mullally – the musical, written by Frank Loesser and Abe Burrows, is about the love affairs of two New York gamblers. Its co-producer, Ambassador Theatre Group own 11 West End theatres, the largest of which is the Piccadilly Theatre, and are expected to announce a venue in the near future.

In addition to Guys and Dolls, Michael Grandage will also be represented in the West End with a transfer of his Sheffield production of Don Carlos. Starring Richard Coyle in the title role and with Derek Jacobi as King Philip II of Spain, the play received great critical acclaim at the Sheffield Crucible with many five star reviews. It will transfer to the Gielgud Theatre in January following the departure of current smash hit One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The production marks Grandage's last directorial effort during his five-year reign, although he doesn't officially finish until summer '05. The last time Jacobi and Grandage worked together was in 2002 when their production of The Tempest transferred to the Old Vic.

The National Theatre have unveiled details of their new season leading up to April 2005. The offerings include A Dream Play by Strindberg, in a new version by CarylChurchill, The House of Bernada Alba by Lorca, in a new version by David Hare, and A Minute Too Late devised by experimental company Complicite. Fix Up, by actor-playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah, was announced previously but begins performances December 7th. Whilst there is plenty on offer here, it seems like a bit of a disappointment on the last season's efforts. Not only is David Hare returning with his third play in two years, but Complicite and Kwame Kwei-Armah are also returning two years on the trot at the three-theatre venue on the South Bank. Seems like a bit of a safe move to me..

This week in Rob's Blog he brought the news of a British reality TV show in which the prize is to appear in Chicago. The programme's called Musicality and shows weekly on Channel 4, a channel devoted to American imports such as Nip/Tuck, The Simpsons, Six Feet Under and Friends. To reassure those of you who think that musical theatre has finally fallen foul to the standards of American Idol – don't worry. The show is professionally handled and there's certainly no bitching from the trio on the panel. Although it's on a commercial channel, so far there's no signs of them cashing in on it either – no premium rate voting lines. In fact, actually, the show is a bit dull. So rest assured, this is not the end of trained musical theatre actors.. and I'm sure Equity are keeping a very close eye on things.