TOM Stoppard's farcical tale of high jinks in Edwardian Vienna will be brought to life by the Malvern Theatre Players next month.

On The Razzle was adapted from the German play, Einen Jux will er sich machen by Johann Nestroy, and follows Zangler, the proprietor of a high-class grocery, who leaves his shop in the hands of his assistants and sets off for the city to join in the big parade and to wine and dine his glamorous fiance.

While Zangler is away, his employees decide to go on the razzle, dodging their employer and others through Vienna in search of adventure.

The play originally opened at the National Theatre in 1981, following an acclaimed reception at the Edinburgh Festival.

The Malvern Theatre Players' production is directed by Marie-Louise Doherty.

"My first production for Malvern Theatre Players was Tom Stoppard's Travesties and I have long wanted to direct another of his plays," said Ms Doherty, who described On The Razzle as a comic masterpiece.

Chris Bassett, the show's designer, said: "Our setting, which combines a number of different technical and scenic techniques, has been devised to convey the essential elements of time and place without impeding the swift and comic progress of the play."

The cast of more than 20 includes Nigel Turner as Zangler, with Andrew Howie, James Robertson, Julian Field and Judith Sanderson.

The show is at the Malvern Theatres from Wednesday to Saturday, June 9 to 12, at 8pm. Tickets are £9.