Brit pack stars in stage spotlight

Natural stars: McGregor, Frost and Law

Natural Nylon, the film production company formed by Ewan McGregor, Jude Law and Sadie Frost, is to expand into theatre.

Some of Britain's most fashionable film actors are set to appear on the stage thanks to the deal with the group which runs the Ambassador's Theatre in Covent Garden and 15 other theatres around the country.

It also includes one of London's leading fringe venues, the Young Vic in Waterloo.

McGregor told the BBC his company plans to commission new writing, adapt classics and "do our own thing".

Doing his own thing: Ewan McGregor

Recently, American stars have been appearing in London stage productions, including Nicole Kidman, Daryl Hannah, Kathleen Turner and Jessica Lange.

This year will see Ally McBeal star Calista Flockhart and Mummy star Brendan Fraser tread the West End's boards.

But McGregor, who found fame in Shallow Grave and Trainspotting, said Natural Nylon's move was not meant as a deliberate backlash against the Hollywood stars.

"We're not trying to strike out against anything else," he said.

Jude Law has already appeared at the Young Vic

Which actors will appear where has not yet been finalised, but Jude Law has been tipped to appear in Christopher Marlowe's Dr Faustus.

Law said: "This offers one of the most exciting prospects of my career."

Both Law and McGregor have recieved good reviews for their stage work in the past.

McGregor appeared in Little Malcolm And His Struggle Against The Eunuchs at the Hampstead Theatre, north London, while Law starred in Tis Pity She's a Whore at the Young Vic in 1999.