Tracey Ullman returning to London stage

Ullman last appeared on the London stage in 1992

Comedian Tracey Ullman is returning to the London stage for the first time in 20 years to star in Stephen Poliakoff's new play at the Almeida Theatre.

My City, in which Ullman stars as a former school headmistress, is the playwright's first work for 12 years.

"I am thrilled to have been offered this role by Stephen Poliakoff whom I have always admired," Ullman, 51, said.

She last appeared on the London stage in the original production of Rita, Sue and Bob Too at the Royal Court in 1982.

More recently she appeared in New York opposite Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman in The Taming of the Shrew.

My City tells of a man who becomes reacquainted with his old primary school headmistress after finding her lying on a park bench.

Poliakoff will also direct the play, which runs from 8 September - 5 November.

The announcement comes a week after the Almeida Theatre had about more than 30% of its Arts Council funding cut

Ullman is best known for her TV appearances in British sketch comedies A Kick up the Eighties, Three of a Kind and Girls on Top.

After moving to the US, she launched her own hit comedy series The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987 which spawned The Simpsons as cartoon shorts.

She has also appeared in films including Woody Allen's Bullets Over Broadway and Small Time Crooks.

It was also recently announced that the comedian has signed on to comment on the royal wedding for a Canadian news network.