THE classic tale of seduction set in California in the 1960s - The Graduate - arrives at Malvern's Festival Theatre on Monday.

Starring Glynis Barber, the play is adapted from Charles Webb's cult novel and the award-winning film by Terry Johnson and is described as "both a moving coming of age story and a terrifically funny black comedy".

A spokesman sets the scene: "Twenty-year-old Benjamin Braddock has graduated with top marks, much to the delight of his proud parents, and has a fine future ahead of him.

"That is until he finds himself seduced by Mrs Robinson, one of his parents' oldest and dearest friends.

"Young enough to be her son and old enough to know better, it isn't long before Benjamin is helping Mrs Robinson with her zip."

Best known for her role as Makepeace in TV's Dempsey and Makepeace, Glynis Barber has also appeared recently on ITV's Night and Day.

Benjamin is played by Andres Williams who starred in the same role throughout the production's West End run alongside Amanda Donohoe and Anne Archer.

The show is set against a soundtrack of some of the most memorable hits of the 60s, including The Beach Boys' Wouldn't It Be Nice and Simon and Garfunkel's Sound of Silence plus, of course, Mrs Robinson.

Tickets for the production, which runs until December 6, are £14-£22 from 01684 892277 or online at www.malvern-theatres.co.uk