Meera Syal, Larry Lamb and Laura Dos Santos Set for Menier's Willy Russell Comedies

Meera Syal, Larry Lamb and Laura Dos Santos will star in the Menier Chocolate Factory's upcoming spring season of two Willy Russell comedies, slated to begin performances on March 26.

Syal stars in Shirley Valentine, directed by Glen Walford. Walford commissioned and directed the original 1986 world premiere of the play during her time at the Liverpool Everyman. The one-woman show focuses on its titular star, a working class Liverpool housewife whose life is transformed by an unexpected trip abroad. The play was adapted for screen in 1989, starring Pauline Collins, Bernard Hill and Joanna Lumley.

Syal's stage credits include Bombay Dreams; Rafta; Rafta; Goodness Gracious Me and One of Us. On television, she has been seen in The Kumars at No. 42, The Real McCoy, My Sister Wife, Absolutely Fabulous, Drop The Dead Donkey, Goodness Gracious Me and Life Isn't All Ha Ha Hee Hee.

Lamb and Dos Santos will co-star in Educating Rita, directed by Jeremy Sams. The two-hander follows the relationship between a brash young hairdresser, Susan, and her literary tutor, Dr. Frank Bryant, a middle-aged university lecturer. The play was also adapted for film in 1983, starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters.

Lamb is best known for his run on the series EastEnders, as well as shows like Gavin & Stacey, Spooks, The Bill, Murphy's Law, Our Friends in the North and Triangle. His theater credits include Making it Better, England and Butterfly Kiss.

Dos Santos has been seen onstage in Look Back in Anger, and has been seen on the small screen in Fingersmith, Bad Girls and The Bill.

The pair of plays will run in repertory until May 8.