Relative trouble with Ms Poppins

The woman I play, Miranda Frayle, is a caricature of a screen goddess of days gone by, a Hollywood star nearing the end of a glamorous career. It's a sort of Grace Kelly story line because she's run away from California into the arms of an English earl with the intention of living out her days as a countess. But one evening the past catches up with her when her old flame appears on the scene.

Playing in a Coward movie with a largely British cast is as close as it gets to being on stage on Broadway. When I heard Julie Andrews was in the cast I was on board, because she's a legend. I was terribly nervous about meeting her. I was, like, stalking her on the set at times, wanting to hum something from The Sound Of Music. Working with Mary Poppins!

I really warmed to her - she is such a professional. It sounds yucky but she is the embodiment of the word lovely. Eric Styles, the director, was also very intriguing. On the surface a reserved, charming man. But he knows what he wants. He may walk softly but he carries a big stick.

What stood out is the difference between the wonderful, dry British sense of humour and the more basic, in-your-face American way of making you laugh. It took me a while but I got the joke! People associate me with very modern girls through appearing in movies such as Basic Instinct and Sliding Doors so this was different. I'd do it again tomorrow.