Cumberbatch to star in London stage 'Frankenstein'

[October 30, 2010]  LONDON (AP) -- "Sherlock" star Benedict Cumberbatch will swap great detective for mad scientist next year when he stars in a theater adaptation of "Frankenstein" to be directed by Danny Boyle of "Slumdog Millionaire."

London's National Theatre said Friday that Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller will alternate the roles of scientist Victor Frankenstein and his monstrous creation.

The play is adapted from Mary Shelly's Gothic horror story, and performances are due to begin in February.

Cumberbatch plays Sherlock Holmes in the BBC adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's detective stories, currently airing in the U.S. on PBS.

Boyle got his start in theater before moving into movies, and won a best-director Academy Award for "Slumdog." His latest film is "127 Hours."

[Associated Press]

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