THE WINNER of the Olivier Award for Best New Play in 2010, The Mountaintop, will be at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford from May 17 to 21.

Written by Katori Hall, the production follows Martin Luther King Jr through the last hours of his life and is a fascinating insight into the civil rights movement of the 1960s and the history of modern America, with striking resonances to contemporary struggles for racial equality.

Dr Martin Luther King Jr, exhausted and self-doubting, returns alone to his Memphis motel room and orders up room service. The charismatic waitress who appears with his coffee takes the evening in unexpected directions, leading him to question the mission he has devoted his life to, and what he will leave behind.

This tender, stunningly theatrical play explores the conflict between heroism and humanity, and between the public image and the real person. Rather than the larger-than-life historical icon, we get an intimate glimpse into the psyche of Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

The play stars Luke Wilson and Boni Adeliyi. For tickets, from £20.50, call 01483 440000 or visit Yvonne-Arnaud.co.uk