But I'm biased.

One of the most recent occasions when I had seen Ruthie Henshall in performance was at her one woman show at the Epsom Playhouse Theatre, which is not a million miles away from where I'm sitting. The evening was memorable because she captivated the audience which contained an unusually high proportion of budding Ruthie's - all from the Laine Theatre Arts School of Acting, where they were learning their craft, as Ruthie did some years ago.

Her empathy with her aspiring young admirers was tangible and genuine. She wanted every one of them to succeed.

The same was true at the Terrace Cafe of the National Theatre recently.  A young audience member explained to Ruthie that she was auditioning for a role in ANNIE, soon to open at the Victoria Palace. "Go for it" was her advice - "never give up" - "but keep up the school work".

Yes, we know - persevere at the school work, like Ruthie didn't! Everyone should do nothing at school and turn out like that.

Ruthie's foot on the really big ladder epitomises her attitude to persistence. She auditioned five times to play the lead role of Polly in CRAZY FOR YOU, directed by Mike Ockrent and choreographed by Susan Stroman. After the fifth she was convinced she wouldn't get the part, but having done so she created her own niche in theatre history in the first lead role she ever created.

Having got the role, her agony of suspense wasn't over until the first night - before which she had adopted a stop gap mantra - "please don't let me die before my opening night".

"The pie is big enough for everybody" - "learn from success, not failure" were other wisdoms which demonstrate her generosity of spirit. Small wonder that she entranced her tea time audience.

Judging from the many questions about her role as Roxie Hart in the current production of CHICAGO, many people question question how she could accommodate the apparent differences in personal habits between herself - the cheerful, hard working and hopeful, thespian - and the cynical, raunchy murderess, locked in a chicken house prison with an equally cynical coven of miscreants.

Roxie never wanted to kill anyone - she's vulnerable, and makes the best of her situation. As does Ruthie Henshall. She has found in the role a part of herself which she didn't know existed, and which has been allowed to develop and come out on stage.

Better there by far, than taking her bad habits back home to the ranch where she is totally supported by John Gordon Sinclair of GREGORY'S GIRL and SHE LOVES ME fame. When will they marry, we all wanted to know.

I'll be watching events between November and January when Ruthie will be enjoying the luxury of a break before preparing herself to take Roxie  and CHICAGO to New York. Somehow, I think I ought to investigate that one. I have no doubt at all that she'll do us, and herself, proud, and become the toast of Broadway.

After that? RNT, Chichester - straight plays - continuing to improve her craft and stay in shape for her singing and dancing, which will continue to be her raison d'etre.

What better then, as she admitted to us, than to cherish the dream that she will, one day, play Eliza in MY FAIR LADY. What a wonderful idea. Chat up Julie Andrews while you're in America Ruthie, and get her help in opening the right doors. It's a must - a natural. As Miss Dolittle herself  might say about making it happen. "Shift your blooming arse."

Then I'll be able to say I 'ad tea wiv Alfie Dolittle's young daughter. Cor blimey.

John Timperley