"They say when you buy a present, you should buy a present you'd like to have yourself," says Gary Wilmot rather philosophically.

"Well, Travels With My Aunt is not only a play I appear in, it is also a play I'd go and see myself."

Graham Green's globetrotting romp has captured Gary's imagination and his resulting enthusiasm is infectious.

"There are lots of people who still haven't discovered theatre.

"I'd say that if you have even the slightest desire to go and see a play, this is the perfect one to see for the first time.

"It's imaginative, it moves very quickly, it's a great deal of fun and it's brilliantly written."

It would seem the author himself derived a great deal of enjoyment out of penning this character-driven comedy.

Greene, who also wrote the classic novels Brighton Rock and The Heart Of The Matter, said: "Travels With My Aunt is the only play I have written for the fun of it."

Adapted for the stage by Giles Havergal and directed by Richard Baron, the play follows the adventures of retired bank manager and self-confessed homebody Henry Pulling who is whisked off around the world by his excitable Aunt Augusta.

Henry's unexpected journey begins when a stash of marijuana is found in an urn containing his mother's ashes.

The arrival of the police inspires Henry and his aunt to take a spontaneous day trip to Brighton where a cup of tea-leaves reveals an international future.

The unlikely couple soon find themselves en route to Istanbul via Paris with a suitcase full of smuggled cash.

As their adventure spirals they collide with an array of quirky and colourful characters who shed some interesting light on Henry's shady father and his aunt's true identity.

Gary joins a cast of four famous faces who play more than 20 characters, including palm-readers, police officers, art smugglers and secret agents.

His co-stars are Clive Francis, Jeffrey Holland and Andrew Greenough.

Gary, who recently starred in Confusions and Me And My Girl, plays a grand total of eight characters. It was this challenge which drew him to the play.

"I thought it would stretch me as a performer. Mastering eight characters and making them all significantly different is an interesting challenge. One of my characters speaks entirely in Spanish.

"I also wanted to work with really good actors and that's what I'm doing."

For tickets, call the box office on 01273 328488.