Anita Dobson is famous for two things - playing Dirty Den's wife Angie in EastEnders and being married to Queen guitarist Brian May.

What she is not so well known for is a love of Shakespeare and her current role as Gertrude in his undisputed masterpiece, Hamlet.

"I thought it was about time I did some Shakespeare again," she says. "I did some before EastEnders. I liked the script and thought it would be nice to tackle it again. I love Shakespeare, I think he's wonderful. I just love the whole business of telling a story."

As stories go they don't get better than this, with murder, revenge and madness within a dysfunctional royal family at the core. Faced with the recent death of his father, followed by his mother's swift remarriage to Claudius, Hamlet (played by Ed Stoppard) faces a dilemma.

He sees the ghost of his father, who reveals he was murdered by Claudius. As Hamlet agonises over how to avenge his father's death, events spiral out of control, with tragic consequences.

Describing her character Gertrude, Dobson says: "It's a very sad role, one of the saddest parts I've played. She has never had to make any major decisions and then when all hell breaks loose, she is suddenly in a most awful place."

Directed by Stephen Unwin and produced by the English Touring Theatre company, the production is modern and accessible as well as staying true to the spirit of Shakespeare.

Stoppard (the son of great English playwright Tom Stoppard) is previously known for his role in the Oscar-winning film The Pianist.

Since leaving EastEnders, Dobson has appeared in numerous stage productions such as Frozen and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Although it was her role as long-suffering landlady Angie which gained her fame, Dobson says she is far too busy now with rehearsals to watch it.

The change in direction has also pleased May, who has been to see her in Hamlet several times.

"He loves me doing this kind of work, he approves of me doing serious theatre and I love doing it," she says.

Starts at 7.45pm. Thur and Sat matinees start at 2.30pm. Tickets cost £13-£22. call 08700 606650.