One of the leading actors of stage and screen, Sir Michael Gambon, is to appear at the Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) this summer.

Sir Michael, known for his roles in films such as The King's Speech and the Harry Potter movies, will reprise his role in Eh Joe, the Samuel Beckett play which is being staged at the EIF this August.

The festival also announced Peter Egan will tread the boards of the Lyceum Theatre in First Love, another play in the Beckett strand at this year's festival being co-produced with the Gate Theatre of Dublin.

Egan is known for TV roles such as Ever Decreasing Circles, A Perfect Spy and Cold Comfort Farm, as well as movies including Chariots of Fire and Bean. Other theatre offerings include I'll Go On, Embers and All That Fall.

The Beckett at the Festival season runs from August 23 to August 31 across the Royal Lyceum Theatre, King's Theatre and The Hub.

Eh Joe was originally written for television and adapted for stage by Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan in 2006. Joe's face is projected on a large screen as Michael Gambon portrays a man haunted by his past, brought to life through Penelope Wilton's voice.

Jonathan Mills, director of the EIF, said: "Michael Gambon and Peter Egan are both wonderful actors and will bring festival audiences a very special experience."