Macy: Broadway bosses have right to go after Piven

William H. Macy is refusing to get drawn into the theatrical battle over pal Jeremy Piven's departure from play 'Speed-The-Plow', but he insists Broadway bosses are right to seek compensation.

Macy has taken over Piven's role at short notice after Piven quit the production, citing mercury poisoning.

The producers of the play have now filed a grievance against Piven with actor's union Equity, because they don't believe he was too ill to perform.

Macy said: "They have the right to go after him, but he's a pal so I'd like to dodge that question.

"But Broadway is big money. It's hundreds of thousands of dollars at stake and they've got to protect their interest and they spent a lot of money to get movie stars to come out and do a play.

"There's a lot of talk about what's the minimum number of weeks you'll do in order to make it pay off for the producers. I think six months is the minimum."