Lichfield’s Garrick theatre has signed up a host of stars of the small screen for its latest in-house production.

The Lichfield Garrick Rep Company gained huge acclaim for its production of Edward Albee’s classic play Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? last Autumn.

The play, which starred Olivier-award winner Matthew Kelly, is due to transfer to the West End for a three-week run later this month after catching the attention of theatre bosses in the capital.

On the back of the success The Royal star Lorraine Cheshire, Love Actually actress Joanna Bacon and Shameless actor Sean McKenzie have all signed up to star in the Rep Company’s version of the hit comedy Ladies’ Day, which launches at the Garrick next month.

Producer Tom Roberts said: “The cast is exceptionally strong. The kudos of hitting the London scene means that London-based actors are taking us seriously and want to work in Lichfield.”

Mr Roberts said the economic doom and gloom was behind the Rep Company’s decision to stage Ladies’ Day, which centres around the fortunes of a group of women on a spur-of-the-moment day at the races, all hoping to hit the jackpot.

“Albee’s play was a brutal, intense drama focusing on destructive human relationships, and this production really put the Garrick theatre on the map,” he said.

“This time around we wanted to give people a real feel-good, fun night out, especially given the current climate.”

Lichfield Garrick artistic and executive director, Adrian Jackson, said: “The Garrick Rep Company continues to grow from strength to strength and I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved. 

“The recent announcement that our production of ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ will run in the West End is further testament to the quality and growing popularity of our productions.”

The theatre in Castle Dyke said it was looking forward to attracting more big name performers in the future following the success of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.

The Rep Company’s production will kick off at Trafalgar Studios in Whitehall, London, tonight and run until May 9 .

Ladies’ Day opens at the Garrick theatre on May 7 and will run until May 23 . Tickets are available from the Lichfield Garrick box office on 01543 412121. To find out more visit the website at www.lichfieldgarrick.com