Back to the stage for veteran actress Miriam

But the veteran actress of stage and screen has no thoughts of hanging up her costumes just yet.

As an award-winning actress who has achieved success on both sides of the Atlantic, she says she enjoys the thrill of performing on the stage as much as ever.

She is currently half way through rehearsals for Me and My Girl, which is on at the redeveloped Sheffield Crucible from December 2 until January 26.

Although Miriam first made her name in radio, she went on to win a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress in The Age of Innocence in 1993 and Best Supporting Actress at the 1989 LA Critics Circle Awards for her role in Little Dorrit.

She also played Professor Sprout in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and will appear in the very last of the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, next year.

Miriam, who has just returned to England after living in America for 16 years, said: “I enjoy the films, but the theatre is why I got into the business. I love being on the stage and am really enjoying this production. We are all having so much fun.

“I am very lucky to have work at my age and I don’t want to give it up – it is my life. We are all hoping this production will be successful and we can then take it to London.”

The popular musical was first performed in 1937 at the Victoria Palace Theatre and starred Lupino Lane.

The music was written by Wakefield’s own Noel Gay, who was one of the most popular composers of the 1930s and 1940s.

The show has been revived, but still includes toe-tapping classics such as The Sun Has Got His Hat On, Leaning on a Lamp Post and The Lambeth Walk.

Miriam plays the Duchess alongside West End stars Daniel Crossley, who plays Bill Snibson and Jemima Rooper as Sally Smith.

The musical tells the story of an aristocratic Hareford family who need an heir. Enter Bill Snibson – a barrow boy, a heartbreaker and the long lost son of the late Earl Hareford.

Miriam added: “I really want older people to come out to the theatre and enjoy this good old fashioned musical. There are plenty of matinees so they can come out when it is still light and safe.”

Me and My Girl is at Sheffield Cruicible from Thursday, December 2 to Wednesday, January 26.

Tickets are available from www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk or the Box Office on 0114 249 6000.