Damon's West End debut
11.16AM BST, 8 May 2002
Actor Matt Damon is the latest A-list Hollywood star to tread the boards of London's West End.
The Oscar-winning actor has taken over the lead of the drugs and sex drama, This Is Our Youth, at the Garrick Theatre.
All in all, it's a bit of a Hollywood reunion - Kenneth Lonergan's play also stars Ben Affleck's brother Casey and Summer Phoenix - younger sister of Gladiator star Joaquin and the late River. The American trio replaced Star Wars actor Hayden Christensen, Jake Gyllenhaal and Anna Paquin.
This Is Our Youth follows three New York teenagers living off their parents' wealth on a drug and drink-fuelled spending spree.
Damon won an Academy Award for best original screenplay with long time friend Ben Affleck for the drama Good Will Hunting. The Saving Private Ryan star made his film debut in 1988 with one line in Mystic Pizza.
Summer Phoenix, who is also making her West End stage debut, was watched by her brother Joaquin in the coming-of-age tale. The production runs at the Garrick until June 15.