Where: Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

When: Tuesday, February 19, to Saturday, February 23

The powerful bestselling courtroom thriller that inspired a multi Academy Award-nominated film comes to the Everyman Theatre stage next week with a star-studded cast.

The Verdict (Middle Ground Theatre) stars Ian Kelsey as Frank Galvin - a washed up veteran lawyer and an alcoholic. He is presented with one last chance to redeem himself when he is given an open-and-shut medical malpractice case that no one thinks he can win.

Up against the unforgiving medical establishment, he courageously refuses an out of court settlement, believing it is negligence that has condemned a young mother. Smelling a cover- up, he instead takes the case and the entire legal system to court.

The five times Oscar-nominated Sidney Lumet movie starred Paul Newman, James Mason and Charlotte Rampling.

Ian Kelsey is known by millions for his regular roles in Blue Murder, Emmerdale, Casualty, Down To Earth, Where The Heart Is, Doctors and Coronation Street. Denis Lill is best known for Only Fools and Horses, as well as regular roles in The Royal, Rumpole Of The Bailey, The Regiment, Survivors and many more.

They are joined by Paul Opacic (Bad Girls/Emmerdale/Hollyoaks), Christopher Ettridge (Goodnight Sweetheart), Richard Walsh (London's Burning), Karen Drury (Brookside), Josephine Rogers, Michael Lunney, Okon Jones, Anne Kavanagh, Holly Jackson Walters, James Morley, Jog Maher, Alexandra Fisher and Greg Fitch.

Written by Barry Reed, the play is directed and designed by Michael Lunney and adapted by Margaret May Hobbs.

Tickets are available from the Everyman box office or from the theatre website.