Richardson's Fears Over Play Comparisons

Joely Richardson was apprehensive before accepting a role in the stage revival of classic play the Lady From The Sea, because both her famous mother and late sister had already tackled the part.

The former NipTuck star is making her London stage comeback in Henrik Ibsen's production at the city's Rose Theatre in Kingston.

Richardson returned to theatre work for the first time in a decade lastyear (11) in off-Broadway hit Side Effects, and she was thrilled to be offered the lead role in The Lady From the Sea by director Stephen Unwin soon after.

But despite her eagerness to take the job, she admits she was worried critics would make obvious comparisons to her mother Vanessa Redgrave and late sister Natasha Richardson, who had both played the role to much acclaim.

Richardson tells The Independent newspaper, "If I'm completely honest, of course I was aware when Stephen offered me the role, that it probably wasn't a super-intelligent choice. People will say my mother did it, my sister did it. Individually you don't want to attract obvious comparisons,but it's a little bit more complicated.

"There's the level on which I thought it wasn't necessarily a smart move because it invites comparison. On the other hand, I feel really excited that I get a crack at a really great role that happens to be a role theyalso played".