LEADING British actor Edward Fox will be the special guest of honour at a gala regional film premiere at Malvern Cinema.

Edward Fox plays Lane, the butler, in a new version of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest (U), which opens in Malvern on Thursday, September 5.

Since he is already in Malvern, appearing that week at the Festival Theatre in Terence Rattigan's gripping drama The Winslow Boy, he has graciously agreed to take part in the premiere.

Edward Fox is no stranger to the Malvern stage, having appeared in The Browning Version in 2000 and The Father in 1995.

Among his TV and film appearances have been Edward and Mrs Simpson, Ghandi, Day of the Jackal and A Bridge Too Far.

The event, for which evening dress is requested, starts at 8pm with a champagne reception with grand piano music. Following the screening of the film, there will be a period-style buffet in the Vineyard restaurant.

Tickets are £18 for two glasses of champagne and the film, and £35 for two glasses of champagne, the film and the buffet.

They are available from the box office on 01684 892277.