SHAKESPEARE is regarded as one of the greatest writers the world has ever known. But what do we really know about him?

In a magical production at Malvern Theatres next week, Simon Callow, one of Britain’s greatest actors, tracks down the real William Shakespeare.

Entitled The Man from Stratford: Being Shakespeare, the play brings to life both the man and the unforgettable characters he created - kings, soldiers, lovers and clowns.

Following the world-wide success of The Mystery of Charles Dickens and hot on the heels of his sell-out hit Dr Marigold and Mr Chops Simon Callow fills the stage in this one-man tour-de-force with Shakespeare’s real and imagined worlds.

Last year Callow was on stage as Pozzo in the sell-out Waiting for Godot and his film work includes A Room With A View, Four Weddings and A Funeral, Shakespeare in Love and Christmas Carol: The Movie. He also appeared in an episode of Doctor Who, playing Charles Dickens. He is a literature scholar and has written biographies of Oscar Wilde, Charles Laughton and Orson Welles.

The comedy play was written by Jonathan Bate, the pre-eminent Shakespeare Biographer and editor of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Shakespeare: The Complete Works. His book The Genius of Shakespeare is widely held to be the best modern book on Shakespeare.

The play is directed by Tom Cairns. A director, writer and designer he has worked on the off-Broadway show The Music Teacher, Phaedra at the Donmar Warehouse, All About My Mother at the Old Vic and The Odyssey and Aristocrats at The National Theatre. He has also directed and designed for English National Opera, Glyndebourne and Opera North. He was also director of the award-winning TV mini-series Amongst Women.

The Man Form Stratford is at Malvern Theatres from Tuesday, July 20, until Thursday, July 22. Tickets cost £16.50-£22.50 with under 26s £8 or free subject to availability. Call Malvern Theatres on 01684 892277.