RICHARD Briers stars in Shakespeare's The Tempest, which visits Malvern Theatres for seven performances as part of a short and select regional tour.

The actor's extensive career includes television series Monarch of the Glen, The Good Life and Ever Decreasing Circles and his stage work is closely connected with Kenneth Branagh's - he has starred in all of Branagh's films including Henry V, Much Ado About Nothing and Hamlet.

Briers is also one of the founding members of Kenneth Branagh's Renaissance Theatre Company for which his work is highly acclaimed - roles include Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Lear in King Lear and Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Richard Briers will be joined by a company of 17 actors including Orlando Wells, (Alex in Channel 4's As If and son of Susannah York), Madeline Worrall, Tristram Wymark, Michael Gaunt and Chrispin Redman.

The Tempest, presented by Theatre Royal Plymouth and Thelma Holt, runs at Festival Theatre from Monday, October 21 until Saturday, October 26 with performances at 7.45pm and a Saturday matinee at 2pm.

Tickets cost £9-24 from the box office on 01684 892277.