The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel playing at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a soulful tale of British geriatrics and their quirky antics in India.

It started life as a book, before becoming a film. A sequel soon followed.

Now, the cast has now been announced for a dramatic adaptation at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley.

Deborah Moggach has reworked her original novel These Foolish Things for the stage.

She said: “It’s quite a different creature to both the book and the film.

There are the same characters, the same dilapidated hotel and all of that, but it’s a very different experience.”

Exotic Marigold explores the interwoven narratives of a gang of active retirees.

Ms Hayley Mills, who is in her 70s herself, plays Evelyn.

She said: “She’s such a beautifully-written character and I can relate to her age, plus the fact we all look back on our lives realising that we’ve made mistakes.”

Rula Lenska plays brittle cougar Madge.

She said: “The whole cast are just magnificent and delightful to be with. Hayley Mills is exactly the same as she was 40 years ago and the Indian contingent are just superb.”

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley from October 18-22.

Pictured: The cast of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel in rehearsal Picture: Johan Persson