SHARP as a knife and quick as a beat, Ms Rula Lenska comes to Malvern for the first time this month to perform in a brand new Noel Coward revue.

Born in England to Polish parents, Rula Lenksa learned to speak five languages before becoming famous in the 1970's, with her inimitable 'big hair', in TV's Rock Follies.

Her subsequent role in Minder and marriage to co-star Dennis Waterman made her a household name.

Now, breaking the mould of the classy ball-breaking characters she has made her own, Rula is set to kick off her shoes for an all-singing all-dancing caustic take on high society, in Masterpieces.

Having trod the boards for nigh on three decades and split from Waterman, she said the time was ripe for a challenge despite feeling "a certain amount of trepidation".

In Masterpieces, Rula joins RSC actor Michael Siberry and six others in an ensemble cast to perform newly discovered Coward scenes, songs and poetry along with bits from old favourites like Star Quality and a Touch of Class. It is being billed as a delightfully comic cocktail sure to entertain and surprise.

"I haven't done anything like this for a long time," she said. "That's one of the reasons why I am really keen to do it."

Theatre is where Rula's heart is because, she says, of the beauty of the rehearsal period where actors can get to know each other and work at an "intimate and demanding" level.

"It's very different from TV where very often you don't even see the people you are working with and you don't get the added kudos of a live audience. It's a great joy when you know you have an audience in the palm of your hand."

Rula's entertaining appearance, as Krystal, in Eastenders last year should boost audience sizes for Masterpieces.

Despite enjoying the role she doesn't feel she has the right "persona or class" to be accepted as a permanent fixture on the down-at-heel soap.

However, after the episodes were screened she did get an "enormous" amount of fan mail.

In a twist of fate the experience also saw her on the same programme as her step-daughter, Hannah Waterman (who plays Laura Beale), but their paths did not cross.

Masterpieces will be showing in Malvern Theatres at 8pm from Monday, June 17, to Saturday, June 22. Tickets £14-£20 from 01684 892277 or www.malvern-theatres .co.uk.