Sand in the Sandwiches starring Edward Fox at the Theatre Royal Haymarket

Sand in the Sandwiches runs for one week in London

Producers Oliver Mackwood, Robert Fox, Jonathan Church and Oxford Playhouse have announced that Edward Fox will star in Sand in the Sandwiches at the Theatre Royal Haymarket for one week only from 30 May to 3 June 2017.

Written by Hugh Whitemore and directed by Gareth Armstrong, the play is described as a 'celebration' of John Betjeman, poet laureate and icon of British poetry. It features design by Fotini Dimou, lighting by Howard Harrison and sound design by Simon Slater.

"Embracing his delight for nostalgia and delicious irreverence, Sand in the Sandwiches travels through Betjeman's boyhood and adolescence, to life as Britain's poet laureate, presenting a hugely entertaining insight into the world of this much-loved poet."

The production has recently completed a UK tour and arrives in the West End for a strictly limited run. The show will continue to tour to Cambridge, Malvern, Woking, Brighton and Bath following the run in London's West End. Sand in the Sandwiches will fill a week slot left vacant by the revival of The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? which takes a week-long break due to the indisposition of Damian Lewis.

Edward Fox is a double BAFTA award-winning actor. His film credits include British films such as 'The Day of the Jackal', 'A Bridge Too Far' and 'Oh! What a Lovely War'.

Fox said of the announcement: "It is lovely to be returning to one of the great theatres of the world and to the role of John Betjeman, even now at the age of 80. All of us involved are working to magnify the voice of one of the greatest minds in England. Betjeman once said that 'poetry is life', and I agree. You can't live without it."

Sand in the Sandwiches tickets for the limited run are now on sale.