Star turn as Ewan makes Guys and Dolls debut

A host of celebrities turned out to watch Ewan McGregor make his debut in the West End musical Guys and Dolls.

McGregor’s former Star Wars co-star Natalie Portman was at the Piccadilly Theatre to watch the Scottish actor play Sky Masterson.

The 34-year-old former Trainspotting actor delighted the audience by singing on the London stage.

Other celebrities included TV host Graham Norton and actress Amanda Holden.

McGregor danced and sang in Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge with Nicole Kidman, but the performance was his first stage singing role.

He stars opposite Ally McBeal and Alfie actress Jane Krakowski as Miss Adelaide, Douglas Hodge as Nathan Detroit and Jenna Russell as Sarah Brown.

McGregor and the rest of the cast received a standing ovation at the end of the opening night performance.

The star sang several numbers in the production, directed by Michael Grandage, artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse.

It was McGregor’s first stage appearance in six years since he starred in Little Malcolm and His Struggle Against Eunuchs.

His musical debut was attended by a cluster of stars, including EastEnders actress Barbara Windsor, Joan Collins and impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Socialite Tamara Beckwith and former BBC director-general Greg Dyke were also there.

McGregor sang famous musical numbers like Luck Be A Lady and My Time Of Day.

McGregor said during rehearsals for the West End show: “I do find it daunting going back to live theatre after movies.”

McGregor showed no sign of first-night nerves, despite recently saying: “I can’t wait but I’ll really have to master the stage fright.”

McGregor said at the after-show party: “It’s a lovely show for us to perform. It’s so well-written and so well-paced.”

He added: “I’ve been singing these songs for a long time now so they’ve got bedded into my voice.

“The first night can sometimes be a bit uptight but tonight was fantastic.

“I’ve performed for Joan Collins, how cool is that?

“It’s such a privilege to be in Guys and Dolls and to come offstage and see the audience with a smile on their faces.”

He said of his former co-star Natalie Portman: “I didn’t know she was in there.”