Actor Spacey becomes artistic director

LONDON -- Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey will soon be named the new artistic director of the Old Vic Theater, a newspaper reported.\nThe London Times said the announcement, which it labeled as a surprise, would be made as early as Wednesday, with the support of Elton John, chairman of the Old Vic Theater Trust.\nThe Old Vic Theater Trust bought the 185-year-old theater in 1998 when it was in danger of closing.\nSpacey, 43, who won Oscars for "The Usual Suspects" and "American Beauty," has given a large donation to the Old Vic, and will take a post once held by Jonathan Miller and Peter Hall, the Times said Tuesday. The position is now vacant.\nNeither Spacey nor his representative could be immediately reached for comment.\nSpacey, a board member of the trust, is scheduled to perform with John at a fundraiser Wednesday for the historic London theater. The pair will perform a duet on some of John's hit songs.\nThe benefit also will feature Sinead O'Connor, rising British star Ms. Dynamite, Sharleen Spiteri from Scottish band Texas, Lulu, Canadian jazz star Diana Krall and her new partner, Elvis Costello. All will perform hits by John.\nThe Old Vic is the former home of Laurence Olivier's National Theater company. But the venue has struggled to forge an identity for itself since the trust took it over from Canadian owners Ed and David Mirvish five years ago.\nSpacey's new film, "The Life of David Gale," also starring Kate Winslet and Laura Linney, is scheduled for release in the United States on Feb. 21.