DON'T just stay in and watch the box this summer - go out and watch a play instead.

The 2003 Swansea Summer Repertory Season, which begins at the Swansea Grand next Tuesday, features five different plays and a host of stars from the small screen, including Footballer's Wives star Katherine Monaghan, pictured, David Griffin from Keeping Up Appearances, Eastenders' Andrew Lynford, and Jonathon Morris, best remembered from sitcom Bread.

The comedy Sailor Beware by Philip Ling and Falkland Carey runs from Tuesday to Saturday, followed by a classic 18th-century drama by Daphne Du Maurier - My Cousin Rachel - from July 22 to 26.

The third show in the season returns to traditional summer fare with It Runs In The Family, a fast and funny farce by Ray Cooney, author of No Sex Please We're British, from July 29 to August 2.

And with a cast including Hi-De-Hi's Jeffrey Holland, Judy Buxton and Geoffrey Davies, there should be no shortage of laughter.

Trap For A Lonely Man, starring Jonathon Morris, is a thrilling tale of deception, corruption, a missing wife and a conspiracy in which nothing is quite what it seems.

Showing from August 5 to 9, it promises to be a theatrical experience to have you gripping the arms of your chair.

And the season will close with one of the most popular plays of the last century. Oscar Wilde's The Importance Of Being Earnest is most famous for a single line ("A handbag?") but is easily his most successful - and funniest - play.

The production runs from August 12 to 16 and is exclusive to the Swansea Grand. Ian Dickens, who is directing all five of the plays, said: "Some people like to dip their toes in the water for perhaps one piece, others like to positively bathe in what is becoming a great experience that is truly entertaining.

"Audiences and actors alike come together united by a love of theatre and socialising to make the season a truly unique occasion."

Tickets range from £8.50 to £10.50 for each show or £47 for the whole season. Box office 01792 475715.