Q & A: Natasha Richardson

"Natty" trained at the Central School of Drama, reportedly keeping quiet about her parents Vanessa Redgrave and Tony Richardson. Career highlights include Nina in The Seagull, the title role in Anna Christie and Sally Bowles in Sam Mendes' Cabaret (which won her a Tony). She lives in New York with husband Liam Neeson and their two sons.

It's your 40th birthday today, congratulations! How does it feel, getting older?

Happier in all ways really. You get a better sense of who you are and you are more comfortable with yourself. But I'm the sort of person who tends to see the good side in things anyway.

You are a Taurus, so you're meant to be determined, sensual, and eat all the time. Is that true?

Oh I do love to eat. I am a creature of the senses – very Taurean. Food is certainly a passion – I'm greedy. And determined. But what about loyal and steadfast and true? Those are Taurean attributes, too.

So you read your horoscope?

I used to. Now I go for my daily psychic sessions. Ha! No, when I need external guidance, which is constantly, I go to people I love and trust.

You say you're very different from your husband, Liam Neeson. How so?

We have a joke that I see the glass half full and he sees it half empty. He's more laid back, happy to see what happens, whereas I'm a doer and I plan ahead. The differences sometimes get in the way but they can be the very things that feed a marriage too.

Is it difficult you both being actors?

The difficulties come when neither of you are working and you're knocking round the house getting on each other's nerves. You can often be apart for long periods as well and that can be a problem. But mostly I think it's a help because you understand and can support each other.

Would you encourage your children to be actors?

We both hope they won't. But then I think you can't treat children like idiots. You have to give them a sense of responsibility, and self-esteem, which is what my parents gave me.

How did you feel finding out that your father was gay or bisexual?

I was 11 when I found out and it was a shock, yes. Looking back I can't think why it was so upsetting, but it soon ceased to be. I just loved my dad.

How does working at the Almeida compare with your last project, a film with J-Lo?

It's a huge contrast. At least the J-Lo film paid for me to be here. I started to think I'd die if I didn't do a play soon. So to be doing The Lady from the Sea, a play I really connect with, in London – I'm splashing about in home waters, literally and figuratively.

How do you feel about the sea?

I've loved water since I was a baby - I could swim well and confidently at 18 months old. But the sea represents danger, the unknown, and most importantly, sex. Even if you're a great swimmer you're a fool not to be very frightened of it sometimes.

You've spent all your life with famous people. Is there anyone who can still intimidate you?

Oh yes, loads of people. You name it. Meryl Streep's a friend and I can hardly believe I can utter those words.

Do you read your notices?

Unfortunately I read all of them, which is horrible. It's very hard to remember the great ones, only the really bad ones. All actors are like that – they're so insecure. It's like that anecdote about the famous old actor who goes to a plastic surgeon and says, "What do you think about my face?" And the doctor says, "Great, forehead's fine, lovely cheekbones, slightly thin lips, fantastic chin ..." and the actor comes back with "Thin lips, eh?"

Your mother Vanessa Redgrave also played The Lady from the Sea. Did you see her in it?

I did, when I was a girl. My recollection isn't crystal clear, but I remember it being a cool, intellectual production. Whereas I see mine as being not cool at all. Fiery, with boiling intensity. Scarily hot.

Hermione Eyre

'The Lady from the Sea' is at the Almeida Theatre, London N1, until 28 June