THE starriest Nuffield cast in years was assembled at The Nuffield, Southampton, this week for the theatre's production of Three Sisters.

The Chekhov play, about three female siblings who miss the days of their youth in Moscow, has been revived by the Nuffield's artistic director, Patrick Sandford.

The cast includes one of the country's best-known classical actresses, Imogen Stubbs, and Gareth Thomas - better-known to fans of Seventies TV sci-fi as Blake from Blake's Seven.

"This is a really exciting production for The Nuffield," said Patrick Sandford.

"Not only does Three Sisters boast a professional cast, it also shows how big names love to perform in regional theatre, despite the fact that we can only afford to pay them the Equity minimum wage."

Imogen Stubbs added: "I passionately believe in regional theatre. I think it's unfair that regional audiences aren't offered enough classical theatre."

Three Sisters is on at The Nuffield until May 11.