FANS of BBC 1's Monarch of the Glen will instantly recognise Lloyd Owen as Hector's illegitimate son Paul who has recently taken up the role as laird of Glenbogle.

But as well as seeing the heart-throb grace TV screens on Sunday nights, audiences at Malvern Theatres will be able to catch him starring in a revival of Michael Frayn's witty romantic comedy Clouds from Monday, November 1 to Saturday, November 6.

Lloyd will be starring alongside Tara Fitzgerald, most famous for her roles in the films I Capture the Castle and Brassed Off, in a national tour of the play which has stopped off at just five venues.

Clouds, which was originally produced in 1976, is set in the intense heat of 1970s' Cuba.

Same story

World-weary journalist Owen and serious lady novelist Mara have discovered, within minutes of meeting, that they have been sent there from Britain to write the same story for rival newspapers.

Accompanied by the ebullient American journalist Ed, government tour guide Angel, and striking chauffeur Hilberto, the journalists begin to tour the island.

As they take in the sights and sounds of the country Mara and Owen find themselves beginning to move to the rhythms of Cuba where everyone has a story to tell.

Set against the backdrop of one of the world's most intoxicating and seductive countries Clouds takes a wry look at the British abroad.

Michael Frayn's hit plays have included Noises Off, Copenhagen and Democracy.

His novels include Headhog, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, The Trick of It and Spies which won the Whitbread Novel Award in 2002 and is set to be made into a film.

Tickets for Clouds cost £14 to £22 and are available from the box office on 01684 892277 or www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

A girlie night at theatre

WOMEN everywhere will be familiar with girls' nights.

Whether it means going out on the town with a flock of female friends, or staying in with your chums and enjoying a bottle of wine and good old fashioned chick-flick nothing beats a good girly gossip that men will just never understand.

Now Girls Night is coming to the Swan Theatre stage on Tuesday, October 26, and Wednesday, October 27, and women across Worcester are being urged to wear something pink and join Carol, Anita, Lisa, Kate and Sharon for a celebration of love, life and music.

The play is the emotional and often hilarious story of five very different friends who re-live their past on a wild night out at a karaoke club.

Carol was born to party, Anita says it like it is, Lisa has issues, Kate is boring but very handy for driving and Sharon died in a motorbike crash 17 years ago and is the most unlikely angel you will ever meet.

Their lives are peppered with tears, laughter, loss and friendship and Girls Night is packed with anthems that no self-respecting karaoke queen could be without.

So grab your girl friends and ring the box office today.

Tickets for the show cost £14 and are available from 01905 611427.

BRIEFLY

what's going on

Cops, cousins and chaos lurk

AUDIENCES will be treated to a barrel of laughs this month as the Colwall Players hosts its latest production.

The group will be performing Joseph Kesselring's Arsenic and Old Lace at Colwall Village Hall, on Mill Lane, from Thursday, October 28, to Saturday, October 30.

The play is based around the funny goings-on in a Brooklyn guest house run by two loveable old ladies - but are they who they seem?

Cops, cousins and chaos lurk like basking sharks beneath the thin veneer of good manners and cut-glass decanters in this buccaneering comedy.

The production is directed by Andy Howie and starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £6.50 and £3 for children and are available from Goodwin's Estate Agents in Colwall or by telephoning 01684 540300.