TWO of Britain's favourite actors are set to arrive in the county early next month to appear in one of the classic comedy gems of the English stage.

George Baker and Stephanie Cole star in Sheridan's 18th Century romp, The Rivals at Malvern Theatres from Monday, November 7.

It is a popular comedy of manners, blending wit, satire and an array of unforgettable characters.

Baker, probably best known for playing Inspector Wexford in TV's Ruth Rendall Mysteries, plays Sir Anthony Absolute - a bullish character whom the actor decalres he just loves to play.

"Everything he thinks he does is absolute!" he said. "He thinks he is all-knowing especially about his son's life and constantly tries to marry the boy off for money.

"He is very funny though and it's great to hear the audience laughing at him."

Playing alongside the veteran actor is Stephanie Cole as the exuberant Mrs Malaprop - the inspiration for the word malapropism and a fabulous comic creation.

Mrs Malaprop is determined to match her headstrong niece Lydia with a husband but the girl has a penchant for romantic novels and has fallen in love with poor ensign Beverly.

But the good news is that Beverly is actually Captain Jack Absolute playing below his rank in order to win Lydia's heart, much to the bemusement of his father, Sir Anthony.

"I have never worked with Stephanie Cole before but it is a wonderful experience," added Baker. "We have a lot of scenes together and she is such a nice woman. The whole company is great."

Baker began his long a varied career in theatre but soon pursued film and TV roles.

When asked if he preferred the camera or the stage he said: "Theatre is very different to TV and film because you have the audience there in the theatre and their response is immediate which is great.

"Obviously I love the screen also and I have just filmed a role for Spooks (BBC1, Thursdays) and played twins in a episode of Midsomer Murders, which was very interesting and fun to do."

Baker has also starred alongside Roger Moore and George Lazenby in two Bond films (The Spy Who Loved Me and On Her Majesty's Secret Service) and gave his opinion on the new 007.

"I think Daniel Craig will be a marvellous new Bond, an excellent choice," he said. "He is a very good actor and it will be quite nice to have a blond Bond!"

Writing poetry and radio and TV plays has also been a passion of Baker's as well as continuing his stage career and appearing in 27 West End Plays.

He is currently working on his first stage play but was giving away no clues.

"It is still a work in progress at the moment and only has a working title so I don't really want to say too much, you'll have to wait and see."

It is Baker's first public stage appearance at Malvern, although he was there in June 1978, directing Derek Jacobi in a Prospect Theatre Company touring production of St Joan.

At that time, the pair were basking in the limelight of BBC2's adapatation of RObert Graves' I, Claudius, which was enjoying a re-run.

"Anyone who would like a good laugh should come and see The Rivals," said Baker.

"When you think about what the world is like today it is nice to just forget about any troubles for an evening. So come along!"

l The Rivals plays in the Festival Theatre, Malvern from Monday to Saturday, November 7-12. To book tickets (£16 to £24) call 01684 892277 or visit www.malvern-theatres.co.uk