Two of this country's finest stage and screen actors will be appearing in a mix of classic and contemporary drama in West Yorkshire Playhouse's autumn and winter season.

Tom Courtenay and Christopher Eccleston will appear at the Leeds theatre in artistic director Ian Brown's first season since taking over the reins from Jude Kelly.

Eccleston, who appeared in Cracker and Our Friends in the North, will play Shakespeare's most famous Dane in a production of Hamlet (Oct 25-Nov 30).

It will also feature Brigit Forsyth of Likely Lads fame, who audiences may recall was brilliant in the playhouse's production of Alan Bennett's Single Spies.

There will also be a unique opportunity to see it alongside Tom Stoppard's Hamlet-inspired comedy Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (Sep 14-Oct 19).

A celebration of the life and works of Hull's most famous poet, Philip Larkin, will include the world premiere of Pretending To Be Me (Nov 22-Dec 21), written and performed by legendary actor Tom Courtenay.

The show is directed by Ian Brown and blends Courtenay's personal reflections on Larkin with fine examples of this celebrated writer's poetry.

Ben Brown's highly successful drama Larkin with Women (Sep 27-Oct 26), which won TMA's Best New Play 2000, will also be staged.

Appearing earlier in the season is a stage version of Harper Lee's powerful story of racial prejudice and fight for justice To Kill a Mockingbird (Sept 3-7), and Golden Boy (Sep 10-14), Clifford Odets' story of a frustrated violinist who goes on to become a successful boxer.

The life of Rat Pack entertainer Sammy Davis Jnr is portrayed in Sammy (Sept 17-21).

Peepshow (Oct 29-Nov 2) tells the story of seven lives in one city, and God's Official (Nov 12-16) is a comedy about two football players who kidnap a god-fearing referee who makes one too many bad decisions.

The cult classic musical Little Shop of Horrors (Dec 7-Feb 8) will bring some gleefully gruesome cheer over Christmas.

And the enchanting tale of The Borrowers (Dec 23-Jan 11) will be brought to life in a new spellbinding production.

For details phone 0113 2137700.