SHE’S still as ‘AbFab’ as ever and very shortly local theatre fans will get the chance to see just why she takes the starring role in one of the stage’s classic roles.

One of the UK’s most popular comic actresses, Jennifer Saunders, who featured in television's Absolutely Fabulous and French and Saunders will be playing one of Noël Coward’s iconic and best-loved characters.

She will be the eccentric clairvoyant Madame Arcati, in Blithe Spirit which embarks on a national tour, including a visiting to Malvern’s Festival Theatre before a West End run.

Inventive, witty and 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.

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) and Simon Coates (RSC, National Theatre, Headlong Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe).

There's also 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 through to Saturday, February 1 .

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