Colin Firth has signed up to star as Noel Coward in a new comedy drama.

The King's Speech star will appear as the flamboyant actor, playwright, director and singer in Mad Dogs and Englishmen, the story of Coward's two weeks at The Desert Inn in Las Vegas.

It was at this spot in 1955 that Coward performed for huge crowds, drawing many from Hollywood.

There is no start date yet for the production, which is currently looking to select a director, The Hollywood Reporter said.

BiteSize Entertainment revealed plans for Mad Dogs and Englishmen.

The company is a new multi-platform production organisation that was unveiled in Cannes earlier this week by producer Gene Kirkwood and Ron Bloom, the chief executive of online video firm Mevio.