ANTONY SHER stars in a new National Theatre production being screened live in Merseyside cinemas next week.

The Everyman Theatre alumnus is joined in Travelling Light by Liverpool-born newcomer Lauren O’Neill.

A tribute to the Eastern European immigrants who became major players in Hollywood’s golden age, Nicholas Wright’s new play tells the story of fictional American film director Motl Mendl.

Born in a remote village in Eastern Europe, around 1900, he is bankrolled by ebullient local timber merchantJacob (Sher) and inspired by Anna (O’Neill), the girl sent to help him make moving pictures of their village.

Sher, 62, was a member of the Liverpool Everyman’s most famous company of actors in the 70s, working alongside Julie Walters, Trevor Eve and Jonathan Pryce.

Among his many roles at the Hope Street theatre was Ringo Starr in Willy Russell’s John Paul George Ringo and Bert, which opened in May 1974.

His many screen credits include Disraeli in the 1997 film Mrs Brown.

Sher will return to London’s National Theatre next year in the title role of The Captain of Köpenick.

Written by Carl Zuckmayer, the play is based on the true story of an ex-convict who dons the garb of a Prussian military officer to assume command of his town and raid its treasury.

It was last produced by the National Theatre at the Old Vic in 1971.

TRAVELLING Light will be screened live on February 9 to FACT’s Picturehouse cinema, Vue in Southport and Cineworld in St Helens.