Hannah makes West End splash

A relieved Daryl Hannah admitted she was glad not to have fainted or have forgotten her lines following her debut splash on stage in the West End. Speaking after her first night playing The Girl in The Seven Year Itch at The Queen's Theatre, the Hollywood star said: "I am just so glad that I got through it first of all."

Looking tired and drawn after the two-hour play, Ms Hannah, 39, told the Evening Standard she was very pleased with her performance although there had been some first-night hiccups "with people forgetting things and doors not opening."

She refused to say whether she will continue to use the services of hypnotist Paul McKenna, who has been helping her conquer her stage fright, for the rest of the run before heading to the nearby Groucho Club for a quiet celebration with some of the cast. Producer Laurence Myers said he was delighted with the first preview and his star whose stage fright had evaporated on the night.

"Daryl was 18ft tall before tonight and now she is 20ft tall. Everyone is excited and nervous for the first preview and there are always technical problems to throw at the artist. "

"It's been hard work for her working 12 hours a day and running through it this afternoon. I am absolutely happy with the result."

During the interval, Mr McKenna said Ms Hannah had beaten her stage fright and probably wouldn't need another session. "I think it was a one-job intervention. I don't think I will need to do it again because the audience loved her."

Ms Hannah's reprise of the role made famous on screen by Marilyn Monroe generated mixed reviews from those who saw her at The Queen's. Leading British lyricist Don Black said the star of Splash and Roxanne fitted into the "Marilyn mould" and he would employ her himself if she could sing. "She had the right vulnerability and she was very sexy in the role," said Black.

His wife Shirley felt Ms Hannah had perfected the "scattiness and sexiness of Monroe" but was more impressed by the performance of the male lead, Rolf Saxon. Theatre-goers eager to see another glimpse of famous flesh had to make do with the star's 44-inch legs through an almost transparent silk night-dress. But Marc Powell, 30, from Marylebone and his friend Damian Higgins, 23, were both underwhelmed by the show. "It's easily the dullest thing I have seen in my life. It was long and drawn out, her performance was mediocre and I would ask for a refund if I had paid," said Mr Powell, who works in television.

Julie Pollin, 23, an actor from south London, was generally impressed by the play but disappointed with some aspects of the production.

Adrian Phelan, 24 , a recent graduate from Hammersmith, said: "I am glad another Hollywood actress has not resorted to taking off her clothes to put bums on seats." Ms Hannah's family and friends from the US were not present for her debut but are expected in London for the official opening night on 9 October.

The Seven Year Itch