A CLASH of cultures among proud soldiers is the dramatic centre-piece of Tunes of Glory, opening in Malvern on Tuesday.

Set in a snowy highland regiment barracks in the 1950s, the acting Colonel is Major Jock Sinclair, a wild, charismatic drunk and hero of El Alamein, who has worked through the ranks the hard way to command his beloved regiment.

But his command is short lived as he is replaced by Colonel Basil Barrow, ex-public schoolboy and survivor of a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp. He is a "by-the-book" officer devoted to restoring the faded glory of the undisciplined regiment. The two clash with devastating consequences.

Originally a novel by James Kennaway, it made into a film in 1960 starring Alec Guinness and John Mills, which Alfred Hitchcock is said to have considered the best movie ever made.

This production features a cast of 14 including Patrick Ryecart and Stuart McGugan, film scenarios including The London Scottish Regiment's Pipes and Drums and a specially-composed musical score.

Tunes of Glory plays in the Festival Theatre, Malvern, from Monday until Saturday. Tickets are £14-£22 (under 25s £8) from the Box Office on 01684 892277.