YORK born Dame Judi Dench is to share a stage with her daughter, Finty Williams, for the first time in a new play set on election day this year.

The pair will play a mother and daughter going to cast their ballot in The Vote.

The play, which runs at London's Donmar Warehouse for two weeks, is set in a fictional London polling station in the last hour and a half before polls close - and will be screened on More 4 at that exact time on election day itself.

The cast, which also includes Sedgefield actor and writer Mark Gatiss, Catherine Tate and Timothy West, will play a mixture of voters, election officials and volunteers helping out on the night.

The theatre's artistic director, Josie Rourke, who also directs the play, said: "Broadcast live to the nation on the night of the General Election, this is a unique opportunity for the Donmar to make a small theatre feel very big.

"Some of the nation's greatest actors are coming together this election night to give theatre a seat at the table of a national event. Everyone involved is approaching this experiment with a sense of adventure."

The Northern Echo:

Catherine Tate, Mark Gatiss and Nina Sosanya, right, star in a new play The Vote, alongside Dame Judi Dench and her daughter, Finty Williams. 

She added: "This huge acting company will be portraying a 90-minute slice of our nation as it goes to the polls. The scale and scope of this incredible company of actors is going to make this a very special event.

"This is the first time Judi Dench has been back on the Donmar stage since 1976. To have her at the heart of this incredible company of actors makes this great event a total joy."

The play is the work of James Graham, whose recent work includes This House, set in the dying days of James Callaghan's Labour government, and Channel 4's Coalition, which examined the negotiations involved in the creation of the current government.

Meanwhile, Dame Judi will today unveil a sculpture at the Actors' Church in Covent Garden, central London.

The life-size bronze sculpture of Saint Paul on horseback is by artist Bruce Denny, and it will be the statue's third home in the capital.

It is a representation of Saint Paul on horseback, frozen in time at the dramatic moment of his conversion.

Sculptor Mr Denny said: "I am thrilled that my work has found a permanent home at such a wonderful central London location. I strive for what I love to create to be able to be shared by the public and St Paul's Church is an incredible place for this to happen."

The Reverend Simon Grigg added: "I am delighted that this wonderful statue, which speaks of surprising faith, has found its permanent home here at St Paul's.

"Our beautiful gardens, which provide a haven of peace and tranquillity in what can be a stressful part of London, are gradually being restored and improved.

"This work will enhance the experience of all who come to Covent Garden and its famous Actors' Church."