ONE of Britain's best-loved actresses, Maureen Lipman, will be on the Malvern stage next week in a major new production of Worcester author Charlotte Jones' bittersweet comedy, Martha, Josie and the Chinese Elvis.

Billed as a "wonderfully quirky and fabulously eccentric comedy, complete with lip-quivering routines of Elvis classics", it tells the story of Josie, a disillusioned dominatrix who, though in no mood to celebrate her birthday, is persuaded to have a party.

The guest list is small: Martha, Josie's obsessive-compulsive cleaner and Timothy Wong, the Chinese Elvis impersonator who isn't even Chinese.

Joining Maureen Lipman is Lesley Dunlop, star of ITV's Where the Heart Is, as Josie, Derek Hutchinson as Lionel, Paul Courtenay-Hyu as the Chinese Elvis, Emily Aston as Shelley-Louise and Michelle Tate playing Josie's daughter, Brenda-Marie.

The production runs from Monday to Saturday, April 14. Call the box office on 01684 892277 or visit www.malvern-theatres.co.uk to book.