ONE of the nation's favourite actors, David Suchet, is bringing another interesting character to life, this time on the stage in Malvern.

TV's definitive Hercule Poirot is starring in a revival of Terrence Rattigan's Man and Boy, a play which hasn't been professionally produced since its original run in 1963.

The story is set in 1930s Manhattan where the 'Man' is Gregor Antonescu, the most powerful financier in the world. He turns up one night at the apartment of his son, the 'Boy', Basil Anthony, who disowned him five years ago.

The father's empire is on the verge of a collapse so big it could shake the economic world and have repercussions which could change the course of history.

David Suchet, a character actor 'since the day I went to drama school', is enjoying the challenge of playing Gregor, the evil businessman devoid of conscience.

"He's not what he seems," Suchet explained in a recent interview. "He is the devil himself and the devil can appear in charming disguises. Rattigan is pointing a finger at the amorality of love and money. It's very challenging for me."

The play got mixed reviews when first staged, although it has been described as Rattigan's best and most important work. He wrote to a theatre impresario friend before the first draft was finished, however, predicting that a historian in 50 years time would see it as 'the best work of a fashionable contemporary dramatist: ironically never performed in his lifetime'.

And David Suchet is glad to be the one bringing the fascinating main character back to life. He said: "I take seriously the task of becoming other people to serve my writer - that is my raison d'tre. Rattigan was a great writer who wanted to be taken more seriously. Critics said in 1963 that it was his greatest play. Rattigan wrote it to be his greatest - and it is an extraordinary play."

Directed by leading stage, film and television actresses Maria Aitken, Man and Boy also stars Ben Silverstone, Colin Stinton, Emma Ferguson, Jennifer Lee Jellicorse, Will Huggins and David Yelland.

It is at The Festival Theatre, Malvern, from Monday, October 25 to October 30. Contact the box office for ticket details on 01684 892277 (www.malvern-theatres.co.uk).