FILM and theatre fans are in for a treat next week when one of Britain’s most celebrated actors pays a visit to Avonbourne School in Bournemouth.

Steven Berkoff is best known for his role as General Orlov in the James Bond film Octopussy but has played dozens of other villainous roles including Adolf Hitler in War and Remembrance, Lt Col Podovsky in Rambo and Victor Maitland in Beverely Hills Cop.

Despite being best known for dozens of film and television appearances, Berkoff’s first love is the theatre and he is an established playwright and director.

His cutting edge plays have been performed in many countries and languages and he has directed and toured productions of Shakespeare. An Audience with Steven Berkoff will be held at the Harewood Avenue school on Thursday, January 19 where the 74-year-old will share insights from his long and distinguished career and take questions from the audience.

The event was originally planned for November last year but was cancelled when Berkoff was unable to leave Budapest due to poor weather.

He said he is looking forward to visiting Avonbourne because he finds young people so interesting.

“They are very imaginative, very responsive and haven’t yet been soured by their experiences like so many older people have,” he said.

“The young have their imagination and life ahead of them.”