Just when you thought your entertainment budget may get to take a bit of a breather, along comes another compelling West End production of a thrilling play. As if that wasn't enough, the lead role will be taken by an impossibly beautiful A-lister. Get your wallet.

Death and the Maiden is a 1990 play by award-winning Chilean playwright Ariel Dorfman. It tells the story of Paulina, a political prisoner who was raped by her captors. The rapists were led by a sadistic doctor whose face she never saw - although she would never forget his voice.

The doctor played Schubert's 'Death and the Maiden' during Paulina's ordeal. The music and the sound of the doctor's voice continued to haunt the former prisoner until, years later, quite unexpectedly, she hears the physician's unmistakable timbre once again.

Death and the Maiden is a chilling, thrilling tale of revenge, redemption, trust, betrayal and the search for justice. Since its West End debut 20 years ago, the role of Paulina has attracted stellar names including Glenn Close and Juliet Stephenson, with Sigourney Weaver taking the part in Roman Polanksi's 1994 film adaptation.

In the 2011/12 production, Paulina will be played by BAFTA Award winner Thandie Newton, star of films 'Crash', '2012' and 'Mission: Impossible II', as well as hit TV series 'ER'.

Newton will be treading the boards at London's Comedy Theatre from 13th October 2011 to 21st January 2012.

Tickets are available now for all performances, priced from £15 to £39.50 for previews (13th - 22nd October) and then from £25 to £49.50 until 21st January 2012.