I had my doubts about the woman who played Ophelia.

In 1861, she returned to London to play Ophelia in Hamlet.

Playing Ophelia was a launch-pad to the rest of my career - it is one of the great roles for a young actress.

"He cast me at a time when I really shouldn't have played Ophelia," she says.

Many great actresses have played Ophelia on stage over the years.

Claire Bloom played Ophelia, and their work together led to a turbulent affair.

Now, for the first time, she has played Ophelia.

"Invite you to all their parties, I should think, and ask you to play Ophelia."

And they've got a nice young fellow to play Ophelia.

He met Ayres when playing in Hamlet together, where she played Ophelia.