The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is getting a new lease of life with a cast of renowned British actors.

The touring production, based on the bestselling book and BAFTA-nominated film, will be stopping off at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury with stars Hayley Mills, Paul Nicholas and Rula Lenska.

The show is at the Marlowe from Tuesday, January 17 to Saturday, January 21. To book tickets, click here or call 01227 787787.

The stage production has been adapted from Deborah Moggach’s 2004 novel, These Foolish Things, and the 2011 film starring Dev Patel, Judi Dench, Celia Imrie, Bill Nighy and Maggie Smith.

The show follows an eclectic group of British pensioners as they travel to India and start a new life for themselves. They land in a luxury residence but, during their stay at the hotel, soon find that their lives show no sign of slowing down just yet.

The new touring production boasts an all-star cast, including Hayley Mills, who first found fame in 1961’s The Parent Trap, playing the role of Evelyn Greenslade.

“I had seen the film and there’s something about the story that just gets you,” says the former Disney star. “It’s very truthful and it deals with lots of different issues - such as getting older, being on your own - whilst being tremendously hopeful. It’s a reminder that where there’s life, there’s hope.

“We’re excited about being in a show that is going to give people a lot of pleasure. I hope they’ll feel infused with optimism and hope about the future as well as the belief that life really is what you make it.”

The show also stars Paul Nicholas, known for his work in Just Good Friends and EastEnders, and Rula Lenska, who has appeared in productions such as Calendar Girls, the Vagina Monologues and Seven Deadly Sins Four Deadly Sinners.

“This story is what people need at the moment,” adds Rula. “There’s been so much sadness, so much fear, so much anxiety, and while the story is very true and very real it’s also escapism. It’s full of brightness, sunshine and discoveries. It’s magical.

“Time goes so fast as you start getting older and there are fewer good parts, particularly for older women - which is another reason why it is a joy to be offered something like this!”

The show also features a large cast of Indian characters, with actors such as Tiran Aakel, Nishad More and Rekha John-Cheriyan taking on these roles.

“One of the themes of the play is the meeting of East and West, the dissipating of prejudice and showing what we have in common along with the contrast between our cultures,” says novelist Deborah. “I hope [audiences] will have their sympathies enlarged, not just about what they might consider old people who are past it but also about other cultures.”