MALVERN'S Festival Theatre hosts the National Theatre production of The Duchess of Malfi next week.

Written nearly 400 years ago, John Webster's tragedy has been given a modern staging with a 20th century Italian flavour and stars Janet McTeer as the Duchess.

The story follows the consequences of a young widow's refusal to obey the command of her brothers.

They forbid her to remarry but she secretly takes a second husband. But they plant a spy and set a trap, which leads to exile, torture, madness and death.

Janet McTeer is the winner of both the Olivier and Tony Awards for Nora in Ibsen's A Dolls House and is known for her lead role in TV's The Governor.

The spy Bosola is played by Lorcan Cranitch, who starred on TV as Sean Dillon in Ballykissangel.

The Duchess of Malfi runs from March 25-29. Tickets priced £14 - £22 (students £8) are available on 01684 892277 or:

www.malvern-theatres.co.uk