In the film, which also stars Ralph Fiennes, Miranda plays three challenging roles: Spider's mother, a prostitute, and an overbearing proprietor of a halfway house.

But the 44-year-old actress's career began many years ago on the stage of the Little Theatre ? and members of the Southport Dramatic Club (SDC) still have fond memories of her.

Robin Hirsch, who knew Miranda from an early age, said" I once heard her for an English Speaking Board exam, and she was only 11 or 12, but she was absolutely fascinating."

Miranda went on to perform in two SDC productions; as the title role in the pantomime Cinderella and as Sybil Merton in Lord Arthur Saville's Crime, which Robin directed.

Robin said: "She was very, very talented and quite professional, even at a young age, but we had no idea she would eventually go on to all this."

Jan James, who appeared in the play, said: "Miranda and I used to be at the hairdressers at the same time, because we had to have our hair done in the style of the period throughout the whole run of the play!

"She was very bright and lively, and also extremely determined and focused - a real problem solver.

"And I think that was probably an indication then of what she was capable of, as well as her having immense talent."

After appearing in two 1976 productions Miranda went on to study drama at Bristol Old Vic and appeared on stage before getting her big break playing Ruth Ellis in the 1985 film Dance With a Stranger.

She is probably best known in this country as the high-voiced 'Queenie' in the television comedy Blackadder II, but Miranda forged a highly successful film career on both sides of the Atlantic.

Favouring critical acclaim over commercial success, she famously turned down the Glenn Close role in Fatal Attraction.

In a 1992 New York Times interview, she said: "I would rather do many small roles on TV, stage or film than one blockbuster that made me rich but had no acting.

"And if that's the choice I have to make, I think I've already made it."