Back Injury Forces Nathan Lane to Exit London's Producers Early

Nathan Lane will not complete his run in the West End mounting of The Producers. The actor, who was scheduled to star as Max Bialystock through January 8, has left the show because he is suffering from two slipped discs, according to a BBC report.

Lane stepped into the West End production at the last minute when Richard Dreyfuss left during rehearsals. A Tony winner for his performance in the tuner, he is slated to begin filming the big screen adaptation of The Producers in February. Lane is expected to recuperate in time for filming to begin as scheduled.

Cory English who appeared with Lane in Broadway productions of Guys and Dolls and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum will play the role of Bialystock through January 8. Brad Oscar is scheduled to take over on January 10.

The Producers also stars Lee Evans as Leo Bloom, Leigh Zimmerman as Ulla and Conleth Hill as Roger DeBris.