David Mitchell is to star as William Shakespeare in a pilot recording of a new situation comedy about the life of the nation's best-loved bard before he became famous. It is entitled Upstart Crow and according to a report on Chortle it is being written by Ben Elton.

According to the information just released, "a purloined play, a wise wife, a stroppy teen and the underhand machinations of England's sexiest spy combine in a mirthful entertainment suitable for groundlings and gentlefolk alike."

The pilot episode will be filmed on April 27. Tickets are available via a random draw.

Register for tickets at any time until Thursday 9 April at 4pm here. You can apply for a maximum of two tickets