Cadfael hits Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre

An all-star cast will bring classic medieval murder mystery to Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre from Wednesday (March 6) to Saturday (March 9) in a production of Cadfael: The Virgin In The Ice.

Middle Ground Theatre Company will present the Ellis Peters story, adapted, designed and directed by Michael Lunney.

The production will star Gareth Thomas, Rupert Baker, Christopher Berry, Hannah Burton, Paul Hassall, Tom Kanji, John Langford, Adam Lloyd-James, Jenny-May Darcy, Daniel Murray, James Morley, James Palmer, George Telfer, Greg Fitch and Richard Walsh.

The world première stage adaptation of Cadfael: The Virgin In The Ice is set in winter 1139.

A raging civil war has sent many refugees fleeing north from Worcester, among them an orphaned boy, his beautiful 17-year-old sister, and a young nun.

The outcasts seem to have disappeared somewhere in the wild winter landscape of frost and snow – and Brother Cadfael embarks on a dangerous quest to find them.

The search leads him to discover a chilling and terrible murder, and a tale of passion gone astray.

A spokesperson for the Grand said: "Ellis Peters' Cadfael novels sold millions of copies globally, and this world stage première celebrates the centenary of her birth.

"Veteran actor Gareth Thomas, twice BAFTA nominated in a career which spans 50 years and includes the title role in the cult classic sci-fi series Blake's 7, will lead a quality cast of 15, including Richard Walsh (London's Burning), James Palmer (River City) and Rupert Baker (London's Burning).

"Featuring film projections, lavish settings and bespoke music, this stunning new production is produced by Middle Ground Theatre Company, who this year mark 25 years of bringing quality drama to the stage."

Welsh actor Gareth Thomas rose to fame as Roj Blake in Blake 7, but has also starred in numerous other TV shows including The Avengers, Coronation Street, Z-Cars, Special Branch, Sutherland's Law, Public Eye, Star Maidens, Who Pays the Ferryman?, Bergerac, By the Sword Divided, The Citadel, Knights of God, Boon, London's Burning, Casualty, Taggart, Heartbeat, Sherlock Holmes, How Green Was My Valley, Torchwood and Midsomer Murders.

He has also made notable appearances in many theatrical productions including RSC productions of Twelfth Night, Othello and Anna Christie; English Shakespeare Company productions of Henry IV, Part 1 and Part 2 and Henry V; and King Lear, Educating Rita, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Crucible, Equus and Déjà Vu.

In 2010 Thomas gave an acclaimed performance as Ephraim Cabot in Desire Under the Elms at the New Vic Theatre.

Rupert Baker's career in television began at the BBC with Chris Menaul in The Case of the Frightened Lady, which subsequently led to working with Les Blair on Honest Decent and True, a film for Screen 2 with Richard E Grant, Gary Oldman, Arabella Weir and Ade Edmondson about an advertising agency.

The film was devised during several months of improvisation – which along with the work of Mike Leigh was highly innovative at that time.

His television credits include: BAFTA Award Winning drama Tumbledown, directed by Richard Eyre, and other BAFTA-winning shows.