A HEREFORD actress is set to return close to home when she performs in an Oscar Wilde masterpiece at Worcester's Swan Theatre.

Kate Izon, who has been touring the country with the New Triad Theatre Company, plays Gwendoline Fairfax in the outstanding classic, The Importance of Being Earnest.

The 34-year-old, who now lives in London but visits family in the two counties often, became a professional actress one-and-a-half years ago after dramatically changing her career.

She was a finance lawyer and worked as an attorney in the Cayman Islands before making the decision to fulfil her dream of becoming an actress.

Kate said: "I have always been involved in amateur dramatics, but acting is just something I love and I thought I would end up really sad if I didn't give it a go full-time.

"To be honest, I just thought I would apply for drama colleges, they would say no and I would have at least known I had tried but I was accepted and trained at the Drama Studio, London, and couldn't believe it."

Kate, who plays the daughter of probably the most recognisable character, Lady Bracknell, said: "It is nice to be able to play someone who is supposed to be younger than me!

"Gwendoline is great to play as she decides she wants to marry someone called Ernest and, the way I play her, she manipulates her mother and can be bitchy."

Kate added: "We would just like people to come along and see the play and have a great night out. I am really excited to be back in the area and performing to the people of Worcestershire."

The Importance of Being Earnest will open at the Swan Theatre from Monday, January 27, at 7.30pm. There will also be shows on Saturday, January 28, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Tickets are £12 and £13 from 01905 611427.

PORCHA TREANOR