Ewan McGregor has come to the rescue of a young theatre company after its new production threatened to fail because of a lack of funds.

Set up by a group of actors frustrated by the scarcity of interesting roles, The Factory won rave reviews for its inaugural production of Hamlet in 2008.

However, despite the critical acclaim and support from the likes of Sir Elton John and Bill Nighy, the company’s new play Boiling Frogs by Steven Bloomer faced closing before it even opened. Producer Liam Evans-Ford said a planned three-week run at the Southwark Playhouse was left hanging in the balance after the company failed to get a £10,000 grant from the Arts Council.

It was then that McGregor stepped in. The actor has agreed to take part in a fund-raising evening next Wednesday where he will talk about his life and career.

Tracey Emin has donated a print to be auctioned at the £50-a-ticket event, with all proceeds going towards the play about civil liberties protesters, which opens on September 14. McGregor said: “I am incredibly impressed with the skill and commitment of the other actors and everyone involved. Really an inspiration for all.”

For ticket information: www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

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Congratulations to Ewan for being placed at #40 in Empire’s annual 100 Sexiest Movie Stars list!

The boy’s got confidence, you’ve got to give him that. In whatever part he plays, from heroin addict to romantic songbird, McGregor possesses a charisma that’s impossible to resist. He’s also rather fond of getting ‘Little Ewan’ out for an airing.

Sexiest Moment
Singing his heart out to Satine at the climax of Moulin Rouge.

Did You Know…?
McGregor was considered for the role of Will Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean.

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Ewan McGregor is getting on his bike to help save the planet. The 39-year-old star – who circled the globe on a motorcycle – is swapping horsepower for pedal power. The actor has become an ardent cyclist – and even builds his own.

McGregor, who now lives in Los Angeles, said he tried to “think green” when going out – even if it means cycling to the shops. The actor, who taught his three daughters, to ride, said: “I am on a bicycle more and more. “I think urban cycling is becoming super cool and I have actually built a couple of bicycles. I love riding them.”

While filming his new film, The Last Word, in Glasgow he bought two customised track bikes, with frames which cost £1000 each. But McGregor, who owns 10 vintage motorcycles, has not abandoned his first love. The star, who has also ridden from John O’Groats to the southernmost tip of Africa, added: “I do like to ride old motorcycles, which aren’t green, but they are still on the road. ” I believe in recycling them, not just getting a new car all the time. They are really lovely and I only ride one at a time, not very far. But I get on my bicycle whenever I can now.”

McGregor, who is a UNICEF ambassador, even has his own eco- tips. The children’s charity has been running its own water and sanitation campaign. He said: “Water is our main issue and I am always teaching my kids, getting onto my kids, to turn the taps off when brushing their teeth. And when you soap yourself in the shower you switch the tap off. “Soap and then rinse – it’s not a big deal and it makes you feel good about yourself.”

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The Ghost star Ewan McGregor is to take to the skies with his brother Colin for a new Battle Of Britain documentary for the BBC.

Ewan, 39, and his brother Colin, an RAF pilot, will try to relive the experiences that young men went through during the most significant air battle in Britain’s history.

Their documentary, The Real Battle Of Britain, will be shown on BBC One in September.

In a statement, Ewan said: ‘The Battle Of Britain was a dramatic turning-point in the history of the Second World War and a defining moment in world history.

‘It is a privilege for Colin and I to make this documentary; not only to mark the 70th anniversary itself, but to be able to pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who fought during the battle.’

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Good news! We bumped into the great Terry Gilliam last night at a party in Cannes for the Doha Film Institute, and he revealed to us exclusively that Ewan McGregor has joined the cast of his long-delayed film, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote.

McGregor will take on the role that Johnny Depp had been set to play in the original, aborted version back in 2000. Depp had still been attached to the role for this version, but with Pirates Of The Caribbean 4 eating into his schedule, and a September start date looming for The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, Gilliam has clearly decided to go with McGregor instead.

McGregor will play, if the current version remains faithful to the original attempt, a 21st century advertising executive who travels back in time to 17th century Spain, where he meets Don Quixote and becomes involved in adventures with him. Robert Duvall has been on board the revamped film, as Quixote, for some time, replacing Jean Rochefort. But the addition of McGregor is brand new.

“Robert Duvall is one of the greats, no question – and he can ride a horse!” laughed Gilliam. “And Ewan has gotten better over the years. He was wonderful in The Ghost. There’s a lot of colours to Ewan that he’s not been showing recently and it’s time for him to show them again. He’s got a great sense of humour and he’s a wonderful actor. He’s wonderfully boyish and can be charming – when he flashes a smile, everybody melts. He wields it like a nuclear bomb!”

Gilliam also revealed that the budget of the movie will be around the $20 million mark, a far cry from the $35 million he had to play with in 2000.

We wish him all the best with this new version. Fingers crossed!

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