Comedian Eddie Izzard is to take his hit play A Day In The Death Of Joe Egg to Broadway in March.

Izzard, who started playing the play's lead role of Bri on London's West End stage last year to critical acclaim, will begin a New York run with the Roundabout Theatre Company.

The play, written by Peter Nichols, is a dark comedy about a couple with a handicapped girl and the strains put on their marriage.

Preview performances will begin on 14 March , and the play is expected to run until 25 May. It will be at the American Airlines Theatre.

Nichol's play was first performed in New York in 1968.

The Roundabout theatre last ran it in 1985, starring Jim Dale and West Wing-star Stockard Channing. It won two Tony Awards for best revival and best actress (Channing).

The play was also made into a film in 1972, starring Alan Bates and Janet Suzman.

Stand-up star

Izzard stepped into the role after Croupier actor Clive Owen.

Izzard's character is a teacher who tries to hide his despair with sick humour and jokes.

Clive Owen played Bri before Eddie Izzard

Izzard will be joined in the New York run by Victoria Hamilton, who was also in the recent London run.

Izzard, whose surreal stand-up routines have been a huge hit in the UK and Europe for around a decade, is also becoming a name to watch in the US.

He releases a DVD of his live tour Dress To Kill in the US this month after sell-out tours in North America.

Fellow British actor Jude Law is also tipped to take the role of Doctor Faustus, from his London run this year, to Broadway in 2003.