Angela Lansbury is returning to London's West End for the first time in 39 years to revive her role in Noel Coward's comedy play Blithe Spirit.

The 88 year old will play eccentric psychic Madame Arcati again, five years after wowing Broadway with her performance in 2009.

The Murder, She Wrote star, who last appeared on the London stage in 1975's Hamlet alongside Albert Finney, can't wait to get back to her hometown.

She tells Britain's Daily Mail, "I wanted to come back in something that I felt totally comfortable in, and playing Arcati was a wonderful experience for me. I hope to God I can still fly (rush) around the at the same rate."

The production will run for a short 15-week stint at the Gielgud Theatre next March (14).