Eric Idle Plans Starry L.A. Readings of His New Play What About Dick?

Eric Idle has announced two readings of his new work-in-progress What About Dick? at Hollywood's Ricardo Montalbán Theater on November 10 and 11. The performances will be open to the public and will feature a cast led by Idle and including Billy Connolly, Tim Curry, Eddie Izzard, Jane Leeves, Emily Mortimer, Jim Piddock and Tracy Ullman. What About Dick? features music by Idle's Spamalot partner John Du Prez. "Eric has reached a point where he needs an audience to see if it is at all funny," the tongue-in-cheek press release said of the play readings.

The play is described as a lowbrow comedy about highbrow people, with eight actors gathered to perform the classic radio drama What About Dick? live on stage at the original Lux Radio Theater in 1948 now the Ricardo Montalbán. Idle's readings of What about Dick? are being produced by WestBeth Entertainment, described as the premiere promoters of UK comedy in the United States. In Los Angeles, WestBeth is currently promoting Eddie Izzard's Coronet Theatre performances and presented Billy Connolly at the Brentwood Theatre.