The belief that 'they don't write them like they used to' is one firmly held by actress Cheryl Campbell.

It's the reason why she so revels in her current role alongside Stephanie Cole and Paul Shelley in Peter Nichols' new comedy So Long Life.

Ms Campbell plays Wendy in the Theatre Royal Bath production, directed by Dominic Hill, against the character of her mother, Alice, played by Stephanie Cole.

The play, which comes to Malvern next week, centres around Alice's 85th birthday party and her battles against the family's intentions to have her put in a home.

"It's funny but it's hard as well," she says. "It's about family life and sometimes as a writer he (Peter Nichols) doesn't skirt about the edges. It's a comedy but a dark comedy.

"Alice is a mother and we're the family. It's a story about a slightly dysfunctional family."

With a host of television and theatre credits under her belt - which include BAFTAs for Malice Aforethought and Testament of Youth and roles in the likes of Midsomer Murders, A Touch of Frost and Inspector Morse - she enjoys the challenge of different disciplines but is also enjoying acting in what she deems an excellent piece of work.

"I like working on good plays with good writers and even if you don't like Peter's work he has always got something to say," she says.

So Long Life is being staged every evening at 8pm, from Monday, September 24 to Saturday, September 29, with extra matinees on the Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm.

Tickets are £12 to £20, from the box office on 01684 892277.