So while I was watching Benedict Cumberbatch play Hamlet last night there was a little theatre announcement concerning Ben Whishaw (thanks @andyT for alerting me).

Next year he's heading back to Broadway to play John Procter in The Crucible opposite Sophie Okonedo and Saoirse Ronan and Ciaran Hinds (who was on the stage with Mr Cumberbatch last night, playing his villainous uncle Claudius).

Obviously any Ben Whishaw casting announcement and in particular stage work is very exciting but this reaches new levels because it's to be directed by Ivo van Hove. He pretty much tops the list of my run-to directors at the moment after seeing the amazing A View From the Bridge last year and Antigone earlier this year. (@polyg and I are already booked into to see his Shakespeare history-play epic at the Barbican next year). I'd even go so far as saying he's the most exciting director around at the moment.

Then there is the play. It's Arthur Miller and it's a great play. John Procter is a meaty role. He is caught up in a witch hunt, the only voice of common sense among a sea of irrational hysteria and he pays for it dearly. Richard Armitage did a superb job in an Old Vic production last year.

I headed over to New York to see Mr W tread the boards last time he was on Broadway and I think it's pretty certain I'll be heading over the Atlantic again next Spring.