Stars of the silver screen are giving London's theatreland a boost: new figures attribute a 200% rise in West End theatre ticket sales over the past year to the onstage presence of such actors as Sienna Miller and Val Kilmer.

According to a report by Lastminute.com, the presence of a host of Hollywood stars has produced this fillip, with Val Kilmer in The Postman Always Rings Twice and David Schwimmer in Some Girls proving particular big box office draws.

The latest US actor to appear on the British stage is West Wing actor Rob Lowe who is starring in A Few Good Men.

Lastminute.com said the presence of so many big screen names was pulling in a younger, ie Heat-reading, celebrity-savvy, crowd of theatregoers.

"Going to the theatre has become the in thing to do this year, according to our sales figures," said Mark Bower, head of theatre for Lastminute.com.

"This rise illustrates how the interest in celebrities remains as strong as ever. Sienna Miller has definitely made an impact this year, with people wanting to catch a glimpse of her in the flesh, especially after her split from Jude Law." The actor is playing Celia in As You Like It at the Wyndham's Theatre.