Hollywood stars Woody Harrelson and Kyle MacLachlan have received a rousing reception for their West End debut in the play On an Average Day.

The standing ovation for his performance in the capital's Comedy Theatre was given by an audience peppered with celebrities including actors Hugh Grant and John Hurt.

Also there was Harrelson's former lover, Fatal Attraction star Glenn Close, who will make her British stage debut next month in A Street Car Named Desire at London's National Theatre.

The two actors are following a long line of Hollywood stars who have chosen to take small salaries to act in the West End.

Hugh Grant signed autographs for fans

Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna, Kevin Spacey, Matt Damon, Jessica Lange and Darryl Hannah have all starred in West End productions.

Hollywood guarantees hot ticket status and with the notable exception of Madonna - who split critics - they have had good reviews.

In On An Average Day Harrelson and MacLachlan play estranged brothers.

MacLachlan's character returns home after 15 years to find his troubled younger brother has retreated into a bizarre private world.

John Hurt was among the audience

Harrelson's character finds himself in trouble with the authorities after an altercation with a motorist who has offered him a lift.

It comes after recent difficult times for the star in London, after Harrelson, 41, was arrested in June on suspicion of causing criminal damage after an incident in the back of a London cab.

But cab driver Les Dartnell withdrew his complaint and will not face charges.

The actor paid �542.96 to the driver for repairs.

Harrelson later insisted he had torn the ashtray off the door by accident but admitted he had been an "idiot" in running off.

Transvestite role

The star of Natural Born Killers and Indecent Proposal, who shot to fame as dim-witted barman Woodie Boyd in Cheers, was a notorious hellraiser in his younger years.

He has battled against drink and drugs problems but has now settled down with wife Laura and young daughters Deni and Zoe, who were at the play's after-show party at London club Adam Street.

His next film will be in Anger Management, in which he has a cameo role as a transvestite prostitute opposite Jack Nicholson and Adam Sandler.

MacLachlan, 43, was seen most recently in US series Sex and the City, and is also famed for starring in cult TV series Twin Peaks and the David Lynch film Blue Velvet.