STAR of the small screen Nicholas Lyndhurst is to appear at Malvern Theatres from January 24 in the role of Norman, The Dresser.

The year is 1941 and Hitler's bombs are falling on war-torn Britain.

This doesn't stop 'Sir', a formidable actor-manager, from touring the works of Shakespeare to theatres across England.

Behind the scenes, his dresser - Norman - is the unsung hero and while air raids continue, he creates the cosy security of the 'bunker' backstage for the fading genius.

It is he who prepares the make-up table, mends the costumes, massages his ego, reminds him of his opening lines and provides the sound effects.

This nostalgic peep behind the scenes gives us a touching impression of the life of an 'ageing lion', of a man preparing for the greatest challenge for any actor - a performance of Shakespeare's greatest work, King Lear.

Inspired by his memories of his years working as Donald Wolfitt's dresser, Ronald Harwood's evocative, perceptive and hilarious portrait of backstage life is one of the most acclaimed dramas of modern theatre.

This is the first major revival of the play that was made into an award-winning film with Tom Courtenay and Albert Finney.

'Sir' is played by Julian Glover, who recently played King Lear at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

He will be remembered by Malvern audiences for his outstanding performances last year in Man and Superman, Galileo's Daughter and Taking Sides, alongside Neil Pearson.

The Dresser runs from January 24-29 at Malvern's Festival Theatre (01684 892277).

It then transfers to Cheltenham Everyman from February 7-12 (01242 572573).