A CHANCE meeting in a railway station café leads to one of the most haunting and heart-breaking love stories ever told.

And while housewife Laura Jesson and doctor Alec Harvey are both married, something is pulling them together.

Kneehigh’s production of Noël Coward’s Brief Encounter, adapted and directed by Emma Rice, returns to Birmingham Repertory Theatre from February 2-17.

Since opening at The REP in 2007, this award-winning production has triumphed in the West End, toured the globe and opened to dazzling reviews on Broadway.

Bringing it to life on stage, director Emma Rice, said, "Brief Encounter combines the romance of cinema with all that live theatre can offer; magic, passion, surprise, suggestion and naughtiness.

“I carry this show in my heart and couldn’t be more excited to return to this heart-pounding production and bring it back to Birmingham.

“Radical and romantic, nostalgic but oh, so relevant - let passions ignite!"

Roxana Silbert, The REP’s Artistic Director, added: “It’s incredibly exciting to bring Brief Encounter back to The REP where it all started ten years ago.

“Emma Rice’s production of Noël Coward’s iconic romantic tale is spellbinding.

“We hope a new generation will now have the chance to see it, as well as giving those who loved it so much the first time, the chance to fall in love with it all over again.”

The cast will feature Jim Sturgeon as Alec, Isabel Pollen as Laura, Lucy Thackeray as Myrtle, Beverly Rudd as Beryl, Jos Slovick as Stanley and Dean Nolan as Fred/Albert, with Katrina Kleve and Peter Dukes.

Brief Encounter will be directed by Emma Rice, designed by Neil Murray, with lighting by Malcolm Rippeth, original music by Stu Barker, sound by Simon Baker and projection by Gemma Carrington and Jon Driscoll.

Tickets are from £15. Call the Box Office on 0121 236 4455 or visit birmingham-rep.co.uk.