A restaurateur is swapping her role at a north Suffolk pub to help serve up a delicious comedy at the Diss Corn Hall.

Sarah Yaxley, co-owner of the Fox and Goose at Fressingfield, is one of the stars of The Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde – the latest production by the Open Space Theatre Company.

The show is about to be toured around East Anglia and the first performance is at Diss Corn Hall on Friday, May 6.

The actress, 33, who achieved an honours degree in drama at Leeds University, has been working at the Fox and Goose since 2002 when she applied for a part-time job as a waitress in order to earn some money while she auditioned for professional theatre shows.

However, owner, Paul Yaxley, was so impressed with her that he immediately appointed her manager, and some time later asked her to marry him.

Sarah, who previously played the piano for customers in a musical instrument store, takes the role of Gwendolen in the classic comedy. This is her second production with Open Space Theatre, having played Amanda in Private Lives by Noel Coward.

The Importance of Being Earnest is directed by Cathy Gill. Tickets cost �9 and �7 (concessions) and can be booked by calling the Corn Hall box office on 01379 652241.