The Feast Of Snails, a new play which also marks David Warner's return to the West End, begins previews Feb. 8, at the Lyric Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue. The official opening date is on Feb. 18.

This suspenseful drama, by Icelandic playwright Olaf Olafsson, concerns a highly successful business tycoon, who is preparing for a solitary gourmet feast in the sumptuous surroundings of his home, when his plans for a night alone are disrupted by the arrival of a young stranger. What follows is a battle of wits between the reluctant host and the unexpected guest during which dark secrets of the past are revealed.

David Warner returns to the stage for the first time in thirty years to star as Karl Johnson in The Feast Of Snails. Other members of the cast include Philip Glenister, Sorcha Cusack and Siwan Morris.

* Warner's glory days were the 1960s, when his Hamlet and Richard II were the talk of London. Since appearing in a stage version of Robert Graves' novel I, Claudius (better known as a television series starring Derek Jacobi) in 1972, British audiences have only seen him in various film roles, including the role of bodyguard to the villain in "Titanic."

Warner's past connection with the RSC will be resumed, indirectly, as The Feast Of Snails will be directed by Ron Daniels, an Honorary Associate Director of the RSC.

For tickets and further information call the Box Office on 020 7494 5048.

—by Theatrenow