Kilmer says British audiences 'smarter' than Americans

American film star Val Kilmer risked the ire of his fellow countrymen yesterday by confessing he thought British theatre audiences were "smarter" than American ones.

Kilmer, 45, whose film roles include Heat, Batman Forever and Top Gun, is to make his London stage debut in June in The Postman Always Rings Twice, a theatrical version of the hit film, first made in 1946 and then in 1981.

Asked how British audiences compared to Americans, Kilmer was blunt. "They're smarter. They read books."

"It does seem that the standard simply keeps deteriorating on Broadway. The shows have become more Vegas-like. Theatre here just has higher standards."