ACTRESS Belinda Lang plays upper-class divorcee Amanda in a new production of Noel Coward's battle-of-the-sexes comedy Private Lives at Malvern Theatres.

Widely-known as Bill Porter in the 90s sitcom 2 Point 4 Children, the theatre is Belinda's first love, with this play a particular favourite.

"I've always wanted to do this play, it made me laugh as a child and it's incredibly passionate in every way," she said. "Amanda is a great character to play, she's very full-blooded and she goes full belt for everything."

In the play, Amanda has a chance meeting with her ex-husband whilst they are both honeymooning with their new partners.

After the initial horror subsides, their passions re-ignite and they elope to Paris where they resume the slanging match that first drove them apart.

Belinda considers Private Lives to be Coward's best play, saying that there's something perfect about it.

"People always imagine a Coward play will be witty and glamorous, but there's so much more to it," she said.

"He has an extraordinary skill for choosing exactly the right words."

Belinda is looking forward to visiting Malvern as part of the play's seven-week tour.

"I usually demand to go to Malvern, it's one of the very best places to tour to!" she said. "It's stunningly beautiful and I'll definitely be packing my walking boots."

The show runs from Monday to Saturday, February 6-11, at 8pm, with matinees at 2.30pm on Wednesday and Saturday.

Tickets cost £16-£24 (£1 concessions for over-60s, under 25s and unwaged) from 01684 892277.