Theatres to pay tribute to Newman

Newman reprised his 1959 stage role in Sweet Bird of Youth on film in 1962

Broadway theatres will dim their lights at curtain time on Friday in honour of actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, who died of cancer last week aged 83.

The Oscar-winning star appeared in five Broadway productions, making his debut in 1953 with William Inge's Picnic.

He remains best known for starring in films such as Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid and The Sting.

The Broadway League, the trade group for theatre staff and producers, said lights would be dimmed for one minute.

"The Broadway community mourns the loss of Paul Newman, the universally admired stage and screen actor, director, and philanthropist," the League said in a statement.

Future wife

Newman met his future wife, actress Joanne Woodward, in the Broadway production Picnic.

He went on to co-star with her on stage in James Costigan's comedy Baby Want a Kiss in 1964.

His last Broadway appearance was as the stage manager in a 2002 revival of Thornton Wilder's Our Town, for which he received a Tony nomination.

Lights will be dimmed for 2000 EDT (0000 GMT).