Law stars in Anthony Minghella's latest film, due out this summer

Law, who starred in Minghella's Cold Mountain and The Talented Mr Ripley, is joined by co-stars Juliet Stevenson and David Threlfall in The Verb on 1 April.

The play forms part of BBC Radio 3's centenary celebrations of Irish playwright Samuel Beckett.

"It's lovely working on something by a great writer who was inspired by a great writer," said Alfie star Law.

"It's a puzzle of words - a great excuse to sit and talk for a couple of hours," added the 33-year-old actor.

Minghella came to global attention with his film The English Patient

Law plays The Son alongside Threlfall's The Father in the Beckett-inspired drama, which sees the pair remembering their dead wife and mother, as played by Stevenson.

"Three of my favourite actors in a room, who agreed to this without having read my script - that's not bad!" said Minghella, whose latest film Breaking and Entering will be released in August.

The Verb marks the screenwriter's return to BBC radio, following early success with plays such as Cigarettes and Chocolate on Radio 4.

The season of radio programmes will include a Beckett Evening on Sunday 9 April featuring new productions of Krapp's Last Tape, starring Corin Redgrave, and Embers, starring Michael Gambon and Sinead Cusack.