A SPELLBINDING new production of Daphne du Maurier’s masterpiece, Rebecca, comes to the Oxford stage this month.

Theatre company Kneehigh returns to the Oxford Playhouse with its version of the tale brought chillingly to life on the big screen by Alfred Hitchcock.

It opens on Monday, November 16, and runs until Saturday, November 21.

Following the mysterious death of his first wife, Maxim de Winter returns to Manderley, in Cornwall, with his new young bride.

Surrounded by memories of the glamorous Rebecca, the new Mrs De Winter is consumed by jealousy.

She sets out to uncover the secrets of the house and a past fiercely guarded by the sinister housekeeper Mrs Danvers.

But all is not what it seems in Manderley. This classic Daphne du Maurier novel has been adapted and directed by award winning director Emma Rice. It has gripped readers for generations, and with its captivating sequence of events, interesting characters and lingering reminiscence, its appeal looks set to continue.

Rebecca is presented by David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers, the multi-award-winning producers of Art, Brief Encounter, God of Carnage and Calendar Girls, in association with Steve and Jenny Wiener. Kneehigh previous hit shows include Brief Encounter and Tristan and Yseult. There will be a post-show talk on Wednesday.

Daphne du Maurier started writing her book in 1937, while she was with her husband on an Army posting to Egypt. It was published a year later and went on to became her most famous work.

Hitchcock’s version was released in 1940 and starred Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine and George Sanders

Tickets start at £15 and are available on 01865 305305 or at oxfordplayhouse.com