Hoffman to direct West End play

Hoffman won a best actor Oscar for Capote

Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman is to direct a play about a band of ageing rockers in London.

The Australian show tells the story of a group reforming 20 years after their frontman walked off stage.

It is set to star Four Weddings and a Funeral actor John Hannah and Paul Hilton, from BBC One's Heist.

Hoffman, who is best known for his film work in Capote and Charlie Wilson's War, is also an artistic director at New York's LAByrinth Theater Company.

Riflemind will open at the Trafalgar Studios in London's West End on 18 September, and is taking bookings until 3 January.

It premiered last year by the Sydney Theatre Company with V For Vendetta star Hugo Weaving in the lead role.

The play was written by the company's co-artistic director, and Cate Blanchett's husband, Andrew Upton.

Hoffman, 41, won an Oscar for his portrayal of author Truman Capote in 2006.

He will soon be seen in Richard Curtis's new film, The Boat That Rocked.