Mike Leigh's new play, Two Thousand Years, will be at Malvern Theatres from March 7-11, as part of the new winter to spring season.

This is a major coup, as the National Theatre production will only be touring a few hand-picked venues.

The play, which sold out its entire run at the National's Cottesloe Theatre before its author had given it a title, touches upon the lives and relationships of three generations of a contemporary London Jewish middle-class family.

The cast of eight includes Allan Corduner, who played Sir Arthur Sullivan in Mike Leigh's 1999 film Topsy Turvey and also appeared in the author's most recent film success, Vera Drake.

The new season at Malvern Theatres features a mix of new plays and classic favourites.

Chief executive Nic Lloyd said it was a strong season in terms of new writing and successful plays.

"The whole range of different styles of theatre and the response from audiences that come to them never fails to amaze me.

"This audience is without doubt the best cross-over audience in the country. They will take a chance."

The Creeper comes to Malvern prior to a West End run from January 30 to February 4. The thriller stars Ian Richardson and follows a young opportunist who infiltrates the home of a prosperous, eccentric member of the landed gentry.

Another new production being seen in Malvern before London is Alan Bennett's The Old Country, starring Timothy West as a British spy in exile. This runs from February 28 to March 4.

As chairman of English Touring Theatre, Mr Lloyd has produced this show himself.

Losing Louis, starring Alison Steadman and David Horovitch, comes to Malvern from April 24-29, after a sell-out West End season.

Another West End triumph is the Almeida Theatre Company's Festen, which will be at Malvern from May 8-13.

Two Noel Coward plays are also part of the new programme. Belinda Lang and Julian Wadham appear in Private Lives, from February 6-11, while Simon Callow returns in Present Laughter, from March 20-25.

Another favourite actor revisiting the Malvern stage is Patricia Routledge in Best of Friends, from April 17-22. She will be joined by Michael Pennington and Roy Dotrice.

Book adaptations feature strongly in the new season with ambitious productions of Jane Eyre and Paradise Lost.

A stage adaptation of Dick King Smith's best-seller The Crowstarver, from April 12-15, should entertain families during the Easter holidays.

Children are catered for with several shows, including The Emperor's New Machine, which is a new version of The Emperor's New Clothes. This runs from April 27-29.

Wartime comedy, See How They Run will be in Malvern from April 3-8, while Tunes of Glory, a stage adaptation of the famous Alec Guinness and John Mills film, will be presented by Malvern-based theatre company Middle Ground, from February 14-18.

Christopher Timothy appears in comedy The Safari Party, from May 15-20.

Highlights for dance enthusiasts include the Russian State Ballet of Siberia performing the Nutcracker and Romeo and Juliet, a visit from contemporary dance company Stan Won't Dance in Sinner and Paris Can Can, featuring dancers direct from the Moulin Rouge.

Returning shows include Jongleurs Comedy Club nights, Henry Oguike Dance Company and comedian Jim Davidson.

Willy Russell's classic musical Blood Brothers opens the season from January 23-28, telling the story of twin brothers separated at birth but reunited by a twist of fate. For tickets to any of the shows, call 01684 892277.