ACTRESS Sylvia Syms is to star in a major revival of the classic Restoration comedy The Way of the World by William Congreve.

Matthew Lloyd will direct the production at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre and the play will run from April 19 to May 27.

First performed in 1700, the play is universally recognised as the pinnacle of Restoration drama.

Congreve's plot centres on Mirabell and Millamant who are determined to marry.

But they are obstructed by Millaman's aunt -- the all-powerful Lady Wishford.

Sylvia Syms plays Lady Wishford. Her extensive film credits include Ice Cold in Alex, The Punch and Judy Man (with Tony Hancock), Victim (with Dirk Bogarde), The Tamarind Seed, which won her a British Film Academy Award nomination and Shirley Valentine.

She was last seen at the Royal Exchange in Entertaining Mr Sloane for which she received a Best Actress Award.

The cast also includes Emily Morgan, whose films include Four Weddings and a Funeral.

She stared with Kevin Spacey in last year's West End hit The Iceman Cometh.

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