A FAMOUS true-life tale of passion, romance and tragedy is being played out on stage in Malvern next week when the much-acclaimed new production of Camille stops off on its national tour (writes Carolyn Morris).

Many will be familiar, or at least think they are familiar, with the story of Camille, the basis for the story behind Moulin Rouge and the opera La Traviata and one of Greta Garbo's most accomplished film roles.

Set amidst the salons and boudoirs of Paris, it tells the tale of the city of love's most famous prostitute, who sells herself to the highest bidders - but never her heart. That is, until she meets a young artist, for whom she falls just as she contracts a fatal illness, tearing both their lives apart.

It is often seen as a romantic tragedy but the true story of La Dame aux Camelias, written in 1848 by Alexandre Dumas, is a much more grim, gritty and compelling tale than many will know.

For this latest stage version, writer Neil Bartlett, an experienced translator, has gone back to the original book to tell the tale of old anew.

The novel caused a storm at the time because it was really a thinly veiled account of Dumas' own affair with the most expensive and notorious prostitute of the time, Marguerite Gautier.

Neil has used Dumas' original dialogue which will also surprise some with its risqu content even by today's standards.

Neil wrote the play specially for its lead actress, Daniela Nardini, best known for her role as Anna in TV's This Life. "She agreed to play the role before I wrote it, so when I was translating it, I always had her voice and style in mind," he said.

"Camille is a very challenging figure because of what she decides to do," he said. "Daniela plays her as a very vital, very alive, very contemporary looking woman who says 'this is how I run my life and no-one has anything to do with it but me'.

Camille is at the Festival Theatre, Malvern, from May 6-10. Tickets (£8-£18) from the box office on 01684 892277 or at www.malvern-theatres.co.uk.