As we mature and grow older we collect a lot of baggage, and a lot of that stuff you collect on life's journey gets in the way of acting. My kids can imagine a character and transform in the blink of an eye. It's so simple for kids, so complex for adults.

My life at the moment is a bit like my wardrobe. Organised chaos.

I always loved putting on shows - when you're the youngest of seven and five are older sisters, you've got to get noticed somehow! I did puppet shows and magic shows... even ventriloquism. My doll's name was 'Dan,' and I used to write these scripts, and my schoolmate hid under the table and supplied Dan's voice.

I have a sort of long-term plan to direct. I'm pragmatic about it. I realize I don't need to rush it or force it.

Australia is a phenomenally beautiful country, and every time I go away and come back, it never ceases to amaze me.

I would love to direct a feature and have Robert Connolly produce it. That would be really fab.

In all honesty, if somebody asked me the secret of auditioning for Americans, I don't know. Often, I do what's called self-taping for America. I go over there quite a lot to sit in a room and do stuff in front of people. You feel like a performing monkey. It's bizarre.