ONE of the UK’s favourite actors will lead the cast in one of Noël Coward’s funniest comedies, when "Present Laughter" arrives at Malvern Theatres.

The play stars Samuel West as the flamboyant and self-obsessed actor, Garry Essendine, and Phyllis Logan as Monica Reed, his long suffering secretary.

Directed by Stephen Unwin, this brand new production will entertain a Malvern audience from Monday August 15 to Saturday August 20, as part of a UK tour produced by Theatre Royal Bath Productions Ltd.

A spokesman said "Charming diva, Garry Essendine is determined to disregard his advancing years by revelling in endless tantrums and casual affairs. He may be teetering reluctantly towards middle age but everyone is infatuated by Garry, and his antics and rampant flirtations require the most careful handling by those closest to him.

"About to depart for Africa, he finds himself besieged by a bevy of would-be seductresses, not to mention his acerbic secretary, his estranged wife, and an obsessed young playwright. As he attempts to disentangle himself from their clutches and demands, the sparkling comedy escalates."

The spokesman added: "Noël Coward’s semi-autobiographical comedy, set in the glamorous world of theatre, is a gloriously witty portrait of the life that whirled around Coward in his heyday and is widely considered to be one of his best-loved works.

"Filled with the brilliant lines of a master craftsman, this new production blends razor-sharp wit, dazzlingly funny dialogue, captivating characters and fabulous sets and costumes."

Samuel West has performed extensively on stage and screen. He played Frank Edwards in all four series of ITV’s hit drama series Mr Selfridge and, earlier this year, performed in BBC’s The Hollow Crown, marking Shakespeare’s anniversary. His many television credits also include Cambridge Spies, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, Garrow’s Law, Margaret Thatcher: The Long Walk to Finchley, Waking the Dead and Any Human Heart.

His film credits include Howards End, Notting Hill, Van Helsing, Iris, Persuasion and Hyde Park on Hudson.

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