A Hollywood heavyweight was out and about in central Somerset last week, visiting an am-dram production at Strode Theatre.

Nicolas Cage, the Oscar-winning star of Leaving Las Vegas, Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Gone in 60 Seconds, The Rock, The Weather Man and Face/Off, was spotted in the stalls at the theatre, enjoying Street Theatre's performance of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.

"He was one of a group of friends who came along on Saturday night to support Edgar Phillips, who played the role of McMurphy," said Liz Leyshon, manager at Strode Theatre.

"I felt quite sorry for the actors on the stage - it can be quite unnerving being in front of a couple of hundred people at the best of times, let alone when one of them is an Oscar-winning actor."

She said after the performance, the star had stayed for drinks in the bar and had chatted happily and signed autographs for people who recognised him.

"Most people just left him to it and didn't bother him, but a few asked for his autograph or to have pictures taken with him," she said.

"He was very gracious - he also signed one of the postcards we have at the front of the theatre, asking the county council not to cut our funding.

"One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest was a very successful show for us - it's an ensemble cast and quite a difficult show, but it went so well."

For a review of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, see page 27.