Anyone who has watched Edward Fox's superb portrayal of the assassin on the trail of president de Gaulle in The Day Of The Jackal won't be disappointed with his latest performance.

Fox returns to Brighton this month to take the lead in George Bernard Shaw's sparkling comedy You Never Can Tell.

Starring alongside Diana Quick, highly acclaimed for her portrayal of Jean Rhys in After Mrs Rochester, the play offers a humorous and light-hearted exploration of the battle of the sexes and the generation gap.

The story revolves around Mrs Landfrey Clandon and her three unconventional children who have all returned to England after 18 years of living abroad.

While staying at a seaside holiday resort, the family bump into their father, a man with traditional values, who they had previously abandoned.

Complete with an impoverished dentist, an eminent barrister and a warm-hearted, all-knowing waiter (played by Fox), there is plenty of humour, as well as romance.

Fox, who starred in the play 45 years ago, says: "I thought it might be a little bit dusty because it's more than 100 years old but it's not. All productions are different but it's the same text. All stage plays are a challenge and you learn something new every time."

Fox is well-known for his appearances in films such as A Bridge Too Far and The Servant, as well as the recent West-End play The Old Masters and TV series Edward And Mrs Simpson.

Asked if he prefers performing in front of a live audience to films, he says: "The stage is the actor's medium and a live audience always makes a difference. It's a nightly challenge and usually a joyful one."

Directed by Peter Hall, who was involved in the 50th anniversary production of Waiting For Godot, the play combines all the usual wit, drama and intellectual debate Bernard Shaw is famous for in his other works, such as Pygmalion, Major Barbara and Man And Superman.

The show has also received rave reviews in the national Press since it opened a few weeks ago.

Starts 7.45pm (Thu and Sat mats 2.30pm). Tickets cost £15/£24. Call 08700 606650.