The history of British theatre is filled with examples of prudish censors objecting to scenes of violence, nudity and bad language.

However, salacious staff at one theatre may have set a new precedent by threatening to ban a high-profile production because the leading actress has refused to bare all.

When Glynis Barber insisted she would not strip off for a scene in The Graduate, The Cliff Pavilion in Southend protested to the producers and is considering scrapping the play from its schedule.

However, managers at the Theatre Royal in Brighton, which plays host to The Graduate in November, have insisted no nudes is good news for them and the show will go ahead as planned.

During a two-year run in London's West End, the play became famous for convincing big-name stars Kathleen Turner, Jerry Hall and Amanda Donohue to play seductress Mrs Robinson, who allows her bath towel to slip to the floor in a crucial scene.

But after taking over the role for the regional tour, former Dempsey and Makepeace actress Ms Barber refused to go ahead with any nude scenes and the stage directions have been amended.

The Southend theatre claimed the show's producers had not been up-front about the lack of nudity and feared audiences expecting an eyeful would demand their money back.

But Theatre Royal spokesman Tim Sitwell believes Brighton audiences are more sophisticated and would not be bothered that Ms Barber keeps her kit on.

He said: "We don't have a problem with the situation at all. The show was not booked purely on the premise of one character being naked.

"The Graduate is a quality piece of drama and we don't think people are booking for the nudity.

"I don't think you can say the performance will not be as good just because someone does not take their clothes off."

Philip Glass, spokesman for the play's production company, said: "We have never sold The Graduate on the basis it contained nudity.

"This is a decision made by the Southend theatre and we advised them against it."

The play is based on the 1967 film starring Anne Bancroft as Mrs Robinson, who seduces a younger man, played by Dustin Hoffman.

The Graduate runs at the Theatre Royal from November 10 to 15.