Lindsay Lohan struggles during debut in 'Speed
LONDON - Reformed wild child Lindsay Lohan got tripped up by some lines during a shaky stage debut Wednesday in London.
The 'Mean Girls' actress fumbled for words a few times as she made her inaugural appearance in David Mamet's 'Speed-the-Plow.'
Looking pale and nervous, Lohan managed to hang on through her small but critical role as Hollywood secretary Karen - but only with the aid of some crew members offstage who shouted lines at her when she blanked on what she was supposed to say. She also relied on a book she clutched as a prop that had some of her script scribbled in it.
A half-full house at the West End theater watched her struggle through the play that was supposed to be her redemption.
The 28-year-old former preteen acting prodigy started her young career in a blaze of talent that has faded in recent years as alcohol and cocaine problems took hold.
Lohan, who grew up on Long Island, has been busted twice for drunken driving while in possession of cocaine.
She has been in and out of rehab a half-dozen times and even served two weeks in jail after violating her parole.
The promising young actress, whose red hair and winsome freckles made her a standout in 'The Parent Trap' and 'Freaky Friday,' was reduced to appearing in last year's erotic thriller 'The Canyons,' which was slammed by critics. Since then, she has been dogged by a reputation as a hard-partying and unreliable star blazing through a nearly washed-up career. Her move to London and decision to do a Mamet play struck many as a positive sign that she had her addictions under control.
But her notoriety wasn't enough to fill the seats on opening night - an unusual occurrence in the West End.
Celebs were also in short supply, with former Australian soap star Holly Valance the only notable face.
Lohan, who spent weeks drilling her lines with director Lindsay Posner, hit all her cues.
While it wasn't a total disaster, her nerves clearly got the best of her in certain places as she struggled with the fast-paced dialogue of the lowly Karen - a role famously butchered by Madonna on Broadway in 1986.
The production itself was described variously by people leaving the theater and on Twitter as 'boring,' 'dire,' 'underwhelming' and 'uninspiring.'
A number of theater patrons nodded off in the later acts.
Lohan was handed a bouquet of flowers at curtain call, with the crowd doling out some lukewarm applause. A handful stood as they clapped.
But, perhaps as proof that La Lohan's fan appeal is still strong, about 50 people hovered outside the main exit for more than an hour to catch a glimpse of her as she left for the night.
Lohan disappointed her supporters yet again - this time by sneaking out a back way, hopefully heading back to her hotel to study her lines.
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