One of the country's finest actors will be performing in north Norfolk - on days off from appearing in the West End.

Eastern Daily Press: The cast of Under Milk Wood lap up the seaside atmosphere shared by Sheringham and Llareggub. Picture: Matt CoomberThe cast of Under Milk Wood lap up the seaside atmosphere shared by Sheringham and Llareggub. Picture: Matt Coomber (Image: Archant)

Olivier award-winner Desmond Barrit, who has starred in Wicked and the History Boys, will take to the stage in Dylan Thomas' Under Milk Wood at the Sheringham Little Theatre on Sunday, August 13 and 20.

Colourful characters, their everyday lives and dreams, in a Welsh seaside town, Llareggeub are vividly brought to life in the classic radio drama.

Little Theatre patron Mr Barrit has worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre, sung with Glyndebourne Festival Opera and is now appearing in a new drama, Apologia alongside Stockard Channing – who was Rizzo in the Grease movie - at the Trafalgar Studios in London.

Mr Barrit has been involved with the theatre since 2002 when he helped with pantomime.

He went on to launch its in-house summer drama season, set up a second home in Sheringham, and become a long-standing supporter of the theatre.

But for all his theatrical experience over a stellar 40-year career on stage and screen and Welshness, the miner's son has never been involved with a production of Under Milk Wood – until an invitation came from Little Theatre director Debbie Thompson.

He said: 'It just never happened – so when Debbie asked I just said 'yes, yes, yes.

'I love Under Milk Wood because of its language – and the fact, because it is a play written for radio, the images are created by the words and the audience's imagination.

'The actors will be reading the script, dressed in minimal monochrome and with only a couple of props – such as shawls for the women.'

Every actor will be taking seven or eight parts. Mr Barrit will play the narrator and the Rev Eli Jenkins. There will be sound effects and music to add to the atmosphere.

Under Milk Wood will be performed, concert–style, at 7.30pm.

For more information and tickets call the box-office on 01263 822347 or www.sheringhamlittletheatre.com