Ailing Patrick Swayze Postpones West End Debut in Guys and Dolls to Week of July 24

The West End will have to wait for Patrick Swayze, who was originally due to take over as Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls on July 10. The actor will now make his London stage debut at the Picadilly Theatre on a day, yet to be determined, during the week beginning July 24. The delay is due to "a chest infection resulting in missed rehearsals," a production spokesperson told Theatre.com.

Swayze, who was trained as a dancer, appeared on Broadway in Chicago also appearing on the American tour, Grease and Goodtime Charley for which he is credited as Pat Swayze. A three-time Golden Globe nominee, Swayze is best known for his work for the silver screen. Although he had small film roles before including one in the popular The Outsiders, it was 1987's Dirty Dancing that made Swayze a household name and earned him his first Golden Globe nomination. His subsequent film credits include Steel Dawn, Road House, Next of Kin, Ghost for which he earned his second Golden Globe nomination, Point Break, City of Joy, Father Hood, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar which earned him a third Best Actor Golden Globe nomination, Three Wishes, Green Dragon, Donnie Darko and Waking Up in Reno. Last year he reprised the role of Johnny Castle in the Dirty Dancing sequel, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.

Swayze's run in Guys and Dolls was due to end on September 2, but it will now be extended to September 23 to make up for the missing dates. His co-star Claire Sweeney, who will play Miss Adelaide, will join the show as scheduled on July 10. She will perform opposite understudy Andrew Playfoot until July 22.

Guys and Dolls, directed by Michael Grandage, also stars Adam Cooper and Kelly Price as Sky Masterson and Sarah Brown, respectively.