THE delicate relationship between the past and present is explored when Tom Stoppard's Olivier Award-winning comedy masterpiece Arcadia comes to Malvern Theatres.

In a stately home in 19th century rural Derbyshire, secret desires and professional rivalries take hold of the residents of Sidley Park.

The daughter of the house, Thomasina Coverly, is a bright and talented pupil tutored by Byron's friend Septimus Hodge, who makes a startling discovery well ahead of her time.

In the present day, academics Hannah Jarvis and Bernard Nightingale attempt to piece together the fragments of truth that tell her story.

Arcadia explores the delicate relationship between past and present, and is a witty and absorbing portrait of two generations of an aristocratic family as the focus moves from 1809 to now, and back to the past.

Dakota Blue Richards will make her stage debut as Thomasina, with other cast including Kirsty Besterman, Robert Cavanah, Tom Greaves, Nakay Kpaka, Ed MacArthur, Charlie Manton, David Mara, Flora Montgomery, Wilf Scolding, Larrington Walker and Ria Zmitrowitz.

Arcadia will be appearing at Malvern from Monday, April 6 to Saturday, April 11.

Tickets are on sale at the Box Office 01684 892277 and online at malvern-theatres.co.uk.