With an impressive career that has spanned more than 40 years, Ian Richardson, 71, has bounded to and from all sects of the acting profession with relative ease.

Classically trained, a formidable actor within the Royal Shakespearean Company and known on-screen for his memorable television and film roles in House of Cards (starring as the love-to-hate politician Francis Urquhart), Gormenghast, Tinker, Tailor Soldier, Spy and From Hell (cast alongside Johnny Depp), he has now turned back to the theatre.

Returning with The Creeper, a tense and weighty thriller written by Pauline Macaulay, it couldn't be more apt that Richardson is on board, due to his career's twists and turns.

"Word had got around that I was looking for something to come back into the theatre with," says Ian.

"I thought it The Creeper was a remarkable piece of work. It has all sorts of qualities; it has funny moments and then it gradually goes inexorably towards a very tragic end all the elements for a very fascinating evening's entertainment."

The play in question is a moralistic story of a young opportunist who responds to an advertisement placed by a wealthy and charismatic elder, looking for an in-house companion.

As he is lodged in the ideal and lavish setting, darker emotions and intentions begin to surface and the once amicable relationship between the men becomes horrifically strained.

All the while, a creeper plant in the garden acts as a metaphor for their uneasy relationship, as the plant virtually devours the older tree that stands next to it, choking it, and thus reflecting the rising conflict.

But apart from its impressive instinct for atmosphere, The Creeper will offer far more to its captive audience, as Ian explains. "It has not been revised since 1965, so a couple of generations of theatre-goers have never seen it.

"The terrible thing about revival is that you find it was barely a couple of years ago someone had done the same thing, and with The Creeper, this certainly isn't the case."

Perhaps this new character will help Ian escape the House of Cards mould he is so renowned for. He himself agrees that the part of Francis Urquhart was a mixed blessing and has tainted the roles he has been offered since.

"I have done 15 years of Shakespeare, but without doubt Francis Urquhart has been the best opportunity for my reputation. The only trouble is getting rid of it. So many people seem to think that I am like that.

"I am very grateful to Francis Urquhart for putting me on the map, as I was just an actor on television before House Of Cards came along, but he has been rather difficult to escape from."

Are there any people that he will use to add depth to his character in The Creeper?

"For the first time in my life I am drawing upon my own personality," Ian says, sarcastically adding, "So I've only got myself to blame if it doesn't work."

Despite the whirlwind of movement the production has caused, Ian is adequately experienced to ride the wave, yet so passionate and driven that he is affected by the excitement of the stage.

"The theatre is still the same. It is where I started off; it's what I trained for. It is rather like falling into water. Once you're in, you actually do remember to swim."

l The Creeper Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford Monday, September 5, to Saturday, September 10, 8pm.

£13 to £24.50 01483 440000