NOVEMBER 2 - 13 2004, BATH: Actress Susan Hampshire is so down to earth she even grows her own vegetables. But she's taking a break from her beloved garden to perform at the Bath Theatre Royal next month.

Susan plays the eccentric Miss Shepherd in Alan Bennett's play The Lady In The Van.

She said: "Miss Shepherd is a bit off the wall. It's a fantastic part and I'm loving the challenge."

Miss Shepherd, who was a trained concert pianist and former nun, lived in an old Bedford van, which parked up outside playwright Alan Bennett's house in Camden Town.

She ended up moving it into his garden and staying there for 15 years.

It's the first time Susan has sampled life on four wheels and she has no plans to repeat the experience.

Susan said: "I've never lived in a van and hope I never have to. I would miss my bath too much. She didn't even have a toilet, so the circumstances were pretty stark."

This is the first ever touring production of the play, which originally starred Maggie Smith and received rave reviews in the West End.

Susan had turned down parts in 15 plays before accepting this role.

She said: "I'm really happy to be doing it. But it's hard work.

"Learning lots of lines doesn't come naturally to me, so I read them on the bus, in the bathroom everywhere."

Susan, who is now "old enough to have a bus pass," recently starred in the TV drama Monarch of the Glen.

She said: "It was nice to have a part in my age group. And the setting, in Inverness, is just so beautiful."

Susan won Emmy Awards for her performances in The Forsyte Saga, The First Churchills and Vanity Fair.

Born and bred in London, her mother was a dancer and father was a scientist. At the age of 16 she became a tea girl for repertory theatres and fell in love with the stage.

She said: "It was an exciting world to be part of and I was thrilled to be there working with people like Frank Windsor and Susannah York."

Susan still lives in London with her husband, Eddie, who has recently introduced her to his favourite pastime, bridge.

She said: "It's wonderful for keeping your brain cells going. He always beats me because he has been playing for ages."

Susan's own hobbies include gardening and growing organic vegetables, such as beans, spinach, carrots and beetroot.

She said: "I also love yoga and pilates for relaxation. I like cooking but have plain, simple tastes. My steamed vegetables with a bit of olive oil are lovely."

Despite being a veteran performer, Susan still gets first night nerves.

She said: "I dread it and feel sick before going on. But after the first bit, I'm fine and get into the swing of things."

THE LADY IN THE VAN

Theatre Royal, Bath

November 2-13

01225 448844

Tickets: £11.50-£26.50