JANIE Dee says she was born to act. She says that standing on a stage is part of who she is. She also says that she really needs to give it all up and spend more time with family.

One of Britain's most versatile actors, Janie is also one of the most down to earth. She is currently starring in Harold Pinter's Old Times, opposite Neil Pearson and Susannah Harker.

She is incredibly passionate about her job, but willing to label it all as utter nonsense.

"I was born to act," she said, "It's like drinking water, like breathing. I have to do it.

"I love the audience being right there, feeling that you communicate, somehow, in the ether. It doesn't have to always be deep and profane like Harold's play, it can be hysterically funny or just beautiful.

"With television, I get very excited about doing it, but you don't get that communication between you and the camera.

"I know it's all nonsense.

"It's pretending. We're dressing up and using different names, people sit and watch us and then we all go home. It can actually be a little bit soul destroying.

"The other day I said to my husband, I really need to give it up and spend time with the family. But then, it's part of me."

Janie has starred in everything from contemporary drama and Shakespeare to modern musicals and opera. Apparently Alan Acykbourn wrote Comic Potential for her. She played the lead role of Jacie Triplethree and picked up three of the most coveted drama awards in existence.

Old Times, directed by Sir Peter Hall, is an altogether different beast, a wonderfully dark, difficult comic drama. It follows Kate (Dee) and her husband Deeley (Pearson). The couple live in an isolated farmhouse by the sea, but their harmony is disturbed when Kate's friend Anna (Harker) comes to stay and they reminisce about old times.

"It's a look at the past 20 years," said Janie, "at something that happened 20 years ago and an attempt to come to terms with that.

"It's very difficult. It's not like watching other plays.

"It's upsetting and dangerous and exciting. If you can bear to leave the theatre thinking about it, which is when it works best, then you're in for a treat."

Old Times is at Malvern Theatres from Monday, April 23. Tickets are available from 01684 892277 and www.malvern-theatres.co.uk.