WELL known television and stage actor Timothy West is to bring his considerable presence to bear at the Birmingham Rep when he plays the title lead in The Life of Galileo.

This powerful productions charts the battle between Galileo's vision and how it clashed with the state's own view of the world in Renaissance Italy.

Galileo has to battle the state's zealous religious beliefs when he is branded a heretic, after he asserts that the Earth revolves around the sun and is not the centre of the universe.

This belief is directly at odds with those in powers' beliefs and West's character comes into direct conflict with the Catholic Church.

Galileo has to defend his beliefs in front of the infamous Inquisition in Rome.

Originally written by German playwright Bertholt Brecht this version of his play has been translated by Birmingham born writer David Edgar and is directed by the theatre's artistic director Jonathan Church.

West is one of Britain's most recognisable actors after 40-years on the stage and screen.

He has wowed audiences as King Lear, Prospero in The Tempest and Falstaff in Henry IV.

The actor has also been in notable television programmes such as Churchill and the Generals and Bleakhouse.

Edgar has carved out as career as one of the country's top stage writers, working on highly acclaimed David Hare Trilogy, Pentecost and the life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.

The Life of Galileo runs between October 28 and November 12pm, with tickets costing between £11 and £22.75.

The show starts at 7pm between Mondays to Saturdays, with a matinee on November 3 (2.30pm start).

To book tickets go to www.birmingham-rep.co.uk, or call the box office on 0121 2364455.

l To coincide with The Life of Galileo the theatre is holding a conference called It Ain't Rocket Science, which explores the arts and science on November 3.