Award-winning actress Jane Lapotaire will give a masterclass on Shakespeare to members of Ledbury and District Amateur Dramatics Society.

Miss Lapotaire gave a reading at Eastnor Castle during the 2002 Ledbury Poetry Festival and has appeared at the Malvern Theatres.

The masterclass is at the Market Theatre on February 26.

She is returning to Ledbury at the request of her brother-in-law, Phil Franklin, who is a LADS member and the producer of the group's next production, Twelfth Night.

LADS chairman Paul Graham said: "Phil did mention that Miss Lapotaire was his sister-in-law once and just in conversation.

"I am just amazed that she is coming to the Market Theatre. It will give us new insights into Shakespeare."

The last LADS Shakespeare production was A Midsummer Night's Dream, an outdoor show, in 1999.

Miss Lapotaire will be working with the 15-strong cast of the comedy, but other LADS members will be able to sit in, though not the public.

Miss Lapotaire is one of the UK's most distinguished actresses and teaches drama at Washington University.

She won a BAFTA for her portrayal of Marie Curie on the West End and scored a Broadway hit with Piaf.

She an honorary associate artist with the Royal Shakespeare Company and president of the Shakespeare Globe Friends.

LADS will open for a four-night run of Twelfth Night on May 19.