The Battle of the Sexes, which opens the first of two Bermuda Festival performances at City Hall Theatre tonight, brings together two of Britain's leading thespians.

Husband and wife team Timothy West and Prunella Scales will present a programme, described as "an exchange of literary blows'', which explores the problems of love, courtship and marriage through the words of Oscar Wilde, J.B. Priestly, Noel Coward, Dora Carrington, Robert Browning and others.

The sell-out event promises ticketholders an unforgettable evening's entertainment in which good literature and good theatre are expertly interwoven.

Miss Scales' British theatrical career includes repertory theatre, seasons at Stratford-upon-Avon, The Old Vic and the Chichester Festival Theatre, as well as appearances in London's top West End theatres and the National Theatre in such well known plays as `What the Butler Saw, The Merchant of Venice,' and `Long Day's Journey into Night.' Last year she toured the UK in a production of Chekhov's `The Cherry Orchard.' Television and film have also played an important part in the actress's career, and her highly successful film credits include `Howard's End' and `Chorus of Disapproval'. Many of her television series have become classics, among them `Fawlty Towers,' in which she played Sibyl, wife of John Cleese's Basil Fawlty.

As a director, Miss Scales' most recent work has been Alan Bennett's `Getting On' at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

A dedicated environmentalist, Miss Scales is currently President of the Council for the Protection of Rural England, and devotes much of her spare time to conservation of the countryside.

Timothy West first learned his craft in provincial repertory theatre before going on to carve out a successful career in London's West End.

He has appeared with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Prospect Theatre Company, the English Touring Theatre and the National Theatre, and also the Bristol Old Vic.

The actor's many television roles have included those in which he excelled on stage, including `King Lear' and dramatisations of classic novels such as Dickens' `Hard Times.' In addition he has appeared in documentaries and comedies.

Mr. West has also worked in many acclaimed films, among them `Cry Freedom, The Day of the Jackal,' and `Joan of Arc.' He authored the book, `I'm here I Think,' and was awarded a CBE by the Queen in 1984.

On January 23 and 26, Mr. West will be the narrator for another Bermuda Festival presentation entitled Odyssey: Bach and the Cello.

Tonight's presentation of The Battle of the Sexes begins at 8 p.m. The second takes place on Thursday, January 25 at the same time. Both performances are sold out. For news on possible returned tickets visit the Festival box office next to the ferry terminal on Front Street between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., or 292-8572.

Timothy West forms one half of the Bermuda Festival's "Battle of the Sexes''.

He appears tonight with his other half, wife Prunella Scales.