Kilmer hails West End as Broadway dumbs down

Hollywood star Val Kilmer risked upsetting his countrymen today by claiming West End audiences were smarter than at Broadway.

The actor is set to make his West End debut in the stage version of The Postman Always Rings Twice. The production opens at the Playhouse Theatre in London on June 7.

And Kilmer is in no doubt that British theatregoers will be more appreciative of his performance than audiences back home.

Asked how British audiences compare to Americans, he replied: “They’re smarter. They read books.”

He added: “It does seem that the standard simply keeps deteriorating on Broadway. The shows have become more Vegas-like. Theatre here just has higher standards.”

Kilmer, aged 45, who is divorced from British actress Joanne Whalley, said he could not wait to make to make his British stage debut.

The star of Top Gun and Batman Returns said: “I came here when I was 14 to see plays – I went to Stratford – and every time I come back I always have that youthful excitement about the theatre.

“I’ve always wanted to do a play here and to do this one is a great opportunity.”