Tomorrow night sees a brand new interpretation of Henrik Ibsen's 'The Master Builder' open at Malvern Theatres, where it premieres before transferring to London.

It stars Patrick Stewart OBE and Sue Johnston (from TV's Brookside and The Royal Family).

Internationally recognised for his role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek, Stewart is currently on screen around the country in X-Men 2.

He played many seasons at the RSC in the 1980s and more recently enjoyed success with his dramatatisation of A Christmas Carol, which earned him an Oliver Award.

With a CV as long and impressive as they get, Stewart has only once before tackled Ibsen, coincidentally under the same producer, Duncan Weldon, in the 1970s.

"It's a big, complex play with complicated psychology," he tells me and he's pleased to have Sue Johnston playing opposite him.

At 62, a string of accomplishments under his belt, you'd think the world renowned star may be enjoying life a bit. He freely admits that he 'lives to work' and to enjoying this job more now than he ever has done.

Serious hiker

Maybe because the scale of the projects he's working on, whether it be stage or film, are reaching lofty heights simultaneously.

Being from a large family of serious hikers, means that he is looking forward to some time on the Malvern Hills. He'll have his boots in the back of the car.

Although the play tells of the emotions that tear an elderly man's life apart as he faces the ruthless expectations of youth, Stewart promises this interpretation will be both provocative and challenging.

'Not gloomy - on the contrary! Very sexy,' he says.

The Master Builder runs from May 16-24, for tickets call 01684 892277.