Entourage star leaves Mamet play

Piven (right) played a studio boss in Mamet's play

Jeremy Piven, star of TV hit Entourage, has abruptly left a Broadway production of David Mamet's play Speed-the-Plow, blaming a high mercury count.

The 43-year-old, who plays agent Ari Gold in the US series, was reportedly told by doctors to quit after missing two performances earlier this week.

Mamet has made light of the incident, according to trade paper Variety.

"My understanding is that he is leaving show business to pursue a career as a thermometer," he is quoted as saying.

"The good news is some really great actors will be helping out and stepping in, which to me is a sign of great heroism and friendship."

Studio executive

Piven, seen earlier this year in Guy Ritchie's film RocknRolla, had been expected to stay with the show until late February.

The play, which also stars Raul Esparza and Elisabeth Moss of Mad Men fame, opened in October to favourable reviews.

Speed-the-Plow tells of a Hollywood studio executive and his relationship with a struggling movie producer and an idealistic young assistant.

The latter role was played by pop star Madonna when the play was first staged in New York in 1988.

Kevin Spacey and Jeff Goldblum appeared in a London production of the play at the Old Vic earlier this year.