Theatre News

Sherlock star Rupert Graves to make directorial stage debut in London

The actor is known for his work on stage and screen

Rupert Graves
Rupert Graves
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage

Sherlock actor Rupert Graves is to make his directorial debut on London's fringe.

The actor, who played DI Lestrade in Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss', is to direct Philip Goodhew's The Ungrateful Biped at the White Bear Theatre in Kennington.

Graves' acting credits include The Forsythe Saga and The Madness of King George. He took on the directing project after working with Goodhew, who directed him in a film.

The piece is an adaptation of Notes From Underground by Fyodor Dostoyevsky and is set in a basement flat in London, where a man creates a video blog. The piece focuses on an existentialist anti-hero who is tormented by the idea that his intelligence is a disease.

Graves said: "Philip and I have known each other for a very long time. I enjoyed working on a film he directed me in and like his writing so I was intrigued when he told me he was writing a play and asked to read it. I loved it. When he asked if I was interested in directing, I was a little nervous as this would be my first time directing. It took me nearly 10 minutes to say yes. It’s a great piece of work."

The Ungrateful Biped runs at the White Bear Theatre from 30 January to 17 February.