Thespian legends Sir Kenneth Branagh and Dame Judi Dench have given their backing to a successful actor's first directing venture.

David Oyelowo, 29, is thrilled that two of theatre's greatest and best known players have stepped forward to support his lavish production of a Jacobean tragedy at Brighton's Pavilion Theatre.

Mr Oyelowo, well-known for a lead role in successful BBC serial Spooks, knew Sir Kenneth through the RSC, where both form part of the company's board.

He discussed ambitions to direct The White Devil, by John Webster, with the veteran actor last July during the filming of Branagh's adaptation of As You Like It, due to be released later this year.

Mr Oyelowo, who was the talk of the theatre world in 2000 when he became the first black man to play a Shakespearean king at the RSC, said: "Kenneth Branagh was a major hero of mine so working with him was amazing.

"We were both the youngest people to play Shakespearean kings for the RSC when we did and the way I began to consider directing was not dissimilar to the way it happened for him.

"He was wonderful to talk to and then offered me financial help towards the cost of production."

Sir Kenneth contributed to the £85,000 production costs of The White Devil shortly before preparations began last November.

He said: "It didn't surprise me at all when David first told me he wanted to direct.

"When working with him on As You Like It I found his dedication to the work exemplary and I learnt a great deal from watching him.

"Good directing requires vision and dedication, both of which David has in abundance.

"I played Lodovico in a production of The White Devil at drama school - it's a great play with resonance for a modern audience.

Around the same time as Sir Kenneth made his donation Dame Judi Dench stepped in.

Mr Oyelowo said: "I got to know Judi when playing a part in As Time Goes By.

"She was also very encouraging and when she found out about the play offered to help.

"She was also very generous with financial and moral support. It has been lovely to have that vote of confidence from two people you admire hugely."

Mr Oyelowo said The White Devil is a rich tragedy about adultery in a military, aristocratic world.

It is transported to the modern setting of Sandhurst in his production and the proverbial language and colloquiallisms have been edited out to create a "svelte" version of the classic.

The Arts Council has donated £20,000 towards the play, which is the first professional play for Inservice Productions, a company Mr Oyelowo set up two years ago with his wife, Jessica, and three actor friends in Brighton.

The company hopes to bring classical theatre back regularly to Brighton for long runs in front of large audiences. It also wants to form strong links with local schools. The White Devil runs until 4 February at the Pavilion Theatre in New Road, Brighton.

For tickets visit the box office or call 01273 709709.