Stage first for Vanessa and Joely

Mother and daughter act Vanessa Redgrave and Joely Richardson are appearing on stage together for the first time.

Before the opening preview of Lady Windermere's Fan at The Theatre Royal in Bath last night, Richardson said she hoped her performance in the Sir Peter Hall production would shift attention away from her personal life.

It was after her last stage show - Madame Melville on Broadway - last summer that she split with TV presenter Jamie Theakston, prompting a rush of publicity.

Richardson, 37, who has been in almost 30 films, says she is tired of being called an It girl, a tag prompted by her brief dress at the Maybe Baby premiere.

She says: "Although in a way it was flattering, at my age, I felt let down no one was writing about my work."

However, Vanessa Redgrave is relishing the opportunity to act with Joely. "I have never acted with my daughter before, so that should be interesting.

"But I don't give her advice - she gives me advice. The young are wonderful at giving very blunt and perceptive opinions, which

my daughters do, although they do seem to like what I do." Redgrave, 64, believes they will keep their motherdaughter rapport: "I don't think we will come to blows."

The show transfers to the Theatre Royal, Haymarket on 13 February.