SIR Antony Sher is directing the world premiere of a new play launching the RSC's second New Work Festival in Stratford next month.

Jon Snow, Shirley Williams and Menzies Campbell are also taking part in discussion sessions and there are two other UK premieres gracing the stage at The Swan Theatre and at Cox's Yard, a new venue for the expanding event.

This year, the festival is focusing its attention overseas and international writers are joining in alongside British works.

Sir Antony, an RSC favourite and stage and screen star, is directing Fraser Grace's play Breakfast With Mugabe in The Swan Theatre from October 17 to 26. It tells the startling story of when a white psychiatrist took on the dangerous job of analysing President Mugabe at election time in 2002.

Then, two American plays are getting their first UK airings in a double bill at Cox's Yard called Postcards from America. The first is Elective Affinities by David Adjmi and the second, Eric LaRue by Brett Neveu, both of which are being directed by Dominic Cooke, the New Works Festival director.

Again, works in progress are being previewed and two works previewed last year, Trade and Nowhere to Belong - Tales of an Extravagant Stranger, are returning fully staged.

High profile spokespeople have been booked in for Worldviews - a series of complementary talks exploring the international themes.

Dominic Cooke said: "This year's festival promises to show exciting, challenging new drama performed by actors from the RSC's acting ensemble.

"It premieres work by emerging British and American writers with a wide variety of international themes - especially relevant at this moment - providing an interesting precursor to the Complete Works Festival next year when the company will host international companies from around the world.

"The Worldviews series of events will also sharpen this focus with talks by an impressive array of leading political and cultural commentators. All this should make for a vibrant and thought-provoking two weeks."

For more details about the festival or to book tickets call the box office on 0870 6091110.