T0P-CLASS double act Hinge and Brackett are coming to Blackpool as leading ladies in Peter Shaeffer's hilarious Lettice and Lovage.

The pair of grandes dames, Dame Hilda Brackett and Dr Evadne Hinge, will make Aussie star Dame Edna Everage look to her laurels.

Brackett will play the part of Miss Lettice Douffet, a highly eccentric daughter of a flamboyant Shakesperean actress who is an over-imaginative guide in one of England's rather shabby, minor stately homes. Hinge will act as her starchily austere superior, Miss Lotte Schoen, who promptly dismisses her when things go awry.

An unlikely friendship develops between the two ladies with a surprising twist in the tale. The play, which won the Evening Standard Best Comedy Award has been much acclaimed by critics. Hinge said: "Normally Brackett and I are used to writing our own scripts so this is a little bit different for us.

"We won't be doing quite our usual carry-on. There'll be no piano, but the sparks will certainly be flying between us. I have to admit my favourite part in the play is when I have to sack Brackett. I take great pleasure in it. It's my big moment."

Off-stage the friendly rib-digging between the pair seems set to continue.

Hinge confided: "Of course, I'm quite adventurous. I'll be going on all the white-knuckle rides at the Pleasure Beach. But I don't know about Brackett - she's not the most fearless type, you know."

Lettice and Lovage will be running from June 16 to 21 at The Grand .

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