Excitement is mounting for a run of Blithe Spirit at Malvern Theatres, starring Jennifer Saunders.

One of the UK’s most popular comic actresses, Jennifer Saunders (Absolutely Fabulous, French and Saunders) stars as one of Noël Coward’s best-loved characters, the eccentric clairvoyant Madame Arcati, in Blithe Spirit which embarks on a national tour visiting Malvern Theatres before a West End run.

Even the play's creator, the dramatist, Noel Coward, thought his play was terribly, terribly good, and so it is.

A spokesman said: "Inventive, witty and Noël Coward's own favourite play, this meticulously engineered comedy is filled with a party of hilarious characters.

"Written and directed by Coward in a flush of almost supernatural inspiration in 1941, Blithe Spirit instantly enjoyed a record-breaking run in the West End and transferred to Broadway."

The play asks, what happens if a hapless medium manages to spirit up a rather wilful ex-wife?

The version is directed by five-time Olivier Award winner Richard Eyre.

The cast also features Lisa Dillon (Cranford, Hawking, Suffragette), Geoffrey Streatfeild (The Thick Of It, Spooks, Private Peaceful, Kinky Boots), Emma Naomi (Pinter Five, West End, The Cherry Orchard, Bristol Old Vic), Simon Coates (RSC, National Theatre, Headlong Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe), Lucy Robinson (Cold Feet, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Emma) and Rose Wardlaw (Coram Boy, Call the Midwife).

Blithe Spirit will be on stage at Malvern Theatres from Monday January 27 to Saturday February 1.

Tickets are on sale at the Box Office 01684 892277 and online at malvern-theatres.co.uk