Kathleen Turner recently appeared in the West End in The Graduate

Henshall fills the role played by Kathleen Turner in the Hollywood hit, which earned Turner an Oscar nomination.

Peggy Sue is a middle-aged housewife who faints at a high school reunion and finds herself propelled back in time to the class of 1960.

"This is a meaty role. It is just very different," said Henshall who has appeared in many classic musicals including Chicago, Les Miserables and Miss Saigon.

"I have played ing�nues, pinafore parts, prostitutes, goodie two shoes, shop assistants and a murderess.

"Now I get to play the housewife."

Henshall said there was "something magical" about the musical.

"I get sprinkled with fairy dust every night. I just love it."

Raunchy

Talks about taking the show to New York are already under way. Henshall is contracted to do the show for six months in London and is interested in taking the role to Broadway.

Henshall made her mark on both sides of the Atlantic in the raunchy musical Chicago.

The Olivier-winning actress received critical acclaim in the UK for her role in the musical as Roxie. But it was as Velma that Henshall made her Broadway debut.

"They are two of the best women's roles in musical theatre," she said.

Energy

At 34, the actress is still passionately attached to the thrill of live performance and is continually challenged by reactions of wild New York crowds and reserved London audiences.

"That is what's so lovely," she said.

"Sometimes you have phenomenal energy and you get phenomenal energy coming back at you.

"Then sometimes it is like digging up your grandmother."