FAMOUS TV actress Helen Fraser leads a star-studded cast in Billy Liar at Malvern Theatres from Monday, May 11.

The star played the character Barbara in the 1963 film with Tom Courtney. But she returns to the play, not as one of Billy’s lovers, but to take the part of Billy’s mother in this new production by the theatre company Middle Ground.

The play is about Billy Fisher, a young man who is less than enthralled with his job as an undertakers clerk in a dull Yorkshire town and who escapes from his humdrum existence by daydreaming his way into a mythical fantasy kingdom where he, Billy, becomes a ruler, hero and lover.

He has aspirations to be a script writer in the big city but his over-active imagination lead him to tell tall stories that wreck havoc in his job, at home and particularly in his love life. His hilarious exploits eventually lead him to make a difficult decision.

Also in the cast is Dicken Ashworth, of Coronation Street and Emmerdale fame, Lauren Drummond, familiar to many from her roles in Waterloo Road and The Royal and Victoria Hawkins, also from Emmerdale.

This charming, warm, witty and sensitive comic masterpiece is compelling viewing for all ages and for anyone who has ever day dreamed.

Tickets cost £16.50 to £22.50 with tickets for under 26s £8. Call 01684 892277 or visit www.malvern-theatres.co.uk.