In one of the last productions to be directed by Sam Walters at the Orange Tree Theatre, Julia Hills, best known for her role as Rona in 2 Point 4 Children, will join a talented cast for Springs Eternal.

Springs Eternal, set in 1943 when America is embroiled in the war, is the story of a more than eccentric family where entanglements from the past, crises of the present and hopes for the future are played out against a background of far away conflict.

In the world premiere of the play, Hills plays Margaret, the wife of the head of the family, Owen, who has written a book called World of Tomorrow.

Now, as the war rages, he is devastated. But what went wrong?

Hills last performed in a play at the Orange Tree when it was still in its early days above the Orange Tree pub across the road from the current venue.

She is thrilled to have the chance to performance with the theatre again, and just in time for Walters leaving.

Speaking of the theatre, she says: “I love theatre-in-the-round. It’s so liberating. You don’t have set stages, you don’t get told you have to do this move. It’s quite fluid.”

Hills' work in theatre spans numerous venues and plays, including We the Undersigned and Dealing with Clair at the Orange Tree and Calendar Girls in Chichester, West End and on its national tour.

Of the play she says: “It has its challenges but it’s also a very interesting play of its time.”

Joining Hills is David Antrobus, Miranda Foster, Stuart Fox, Lydia Larson, Antony Eden, Jeremy Lloyd and Auriol Smith.

Springs Eternal; Orange Tree Theatre, Clarence Street, Richmond, September 11, to October 19, Monday to Saturday 7.45pm, Saturday matinee 3pm (except September 14), Thursday matinees and post-show discussion 2.30pm on September 12, 19, 26 and October 3 and audio-described performances on Saturday, September 28, at 3pm and Tuesday, September 24, at 7.45pm.

Tickets are £12.50 to £22 and are available from orangetreetheatre.co.uk or 020 8940 3633.