ONE of the UK's much-loved actors has formed his own theatre company to perform Noël Coward's Private Lives at the Theatre Royal in Bath in October.

Astonishingly, it's also the first time that Nigel Havers has appeared in a Coward play on stage.

Mr Havers has joined forces with producer David Pugh and Theatre Royal Bath Productions to present The Nigel Havers Theatre Company in Noël Coward’s gloriously entertaining play from Thursday, October 1 to Saturday, October 10.

This will be the inaugural show for The Nigel Havers Theatre Company, which will be touring the country with a wonderful line-up of theatrical gems.

Patricia Hodge, one of the country's most-loved actresses, plays Amanda and Nigel Havers, plays Elyot, the role taken by Coward himself in the original production in 1930. Dugald Bruce-Lockhart plays Victor and Natalie Walter plays Sibyl.

Mr Pugh said: “My suggestion last year to Nigel to form The Nigel Havers Theatre Company was met with a wry smile, but he warmed to the idea.

"He finally agreed that he would take 18 weeks out each year to tour a play, ‘as long as the play is entertaining and, most importantly, ticket prices are accessible to as many people as possible'.

“Little did we know last year that this now seems to be more important than ever and, when we are allowed again to safely open theatres, we have to realise theatre can no longer be the luxury item it so often is; theatre should be able to be seen by and be for everybody.""Ticket pricing and ticketing charges have become ridiculous. I believe our job is simply to entertain and to as many people as possible and now, out of this crisis, let’s hope we can address this and do just that.”

Noël Coward’s dazzling comic masterpiece is both a scintillatingly witty and scathingly vitriolic study of the rich and reckless in love. Elyot and Amanda, who were once married, find themselves in adjoining rooms in the same hotel on the French Riviera, both on honeymoon with their new partners.Their initial horror quickly evaporates and soon they’re sharing cocktails and a romantic serenade.

Private Lives will be directed by Christopher Luscombe, with set and costume designs by Simon Higlett, lighting design by Tim Mitchell and casting by Sarah Bird.The Nigel Havers Theatre Company’s Private Lives is produced by David Pugh and Theatre Royal Bath Productions.

To book, call the Theatre Royal box office on 01225 448844 or to book online go to www.theatreroyal.org.uk