At the age of 13, Miss Helen Mirren went to see Julius Caesar because it starred Marlon Brando, who was then her idol.

She came away “knocked out” by James Mason as Brutus, and ever since has been one of Mr Mason’s firmest admirers. Now nine years later, and with a minimum of theatrical and film work behind her, Miss Mirren will play the female lead opposite James Mason in the film, The Age of Consent. How did she feel when she was offered the part by Mason himself and the film’s co-producer, Michael Powell? “Overawed,” she commented. Then, she said, came the excitement: “Of course I can do it . . . I’ll just be the greatest actress. Then the terrible self-doubt set in. Now I’m at the stage when I’m really getting down to work. Yes, of course I’m still nervous – but I’m not going to show it,” she said determinedly.

Miss Mirren arrived in Sydney by Qantas yesterday with Mr Mason and Mr Powell to start work on the film, which is based on the novel by Norman Lindsay. Miss Mirren’s dramatic career began after she had completed a three year teacher’s training course – and decided she would rather be an actress. She worked in repertory for six months then auditioned for the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford on Avon directed by Peter Hall. Despite her lack of formal dramatic training she was given a three year contact with them.

Her only film role was in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, made in England recently by C.B.S. in which she played the role of Hermia. Her present role was the result of a screen test she did for an unimportant part in a film, the name of which she can’t remember. She declined the past but the screen test was seen by James Mason and Michael Powell, and on the strength of it they offered her the role in The Age of Consent. For her part, Miss Mirren will have to acquire an Australian accent. She intends to do this by recording and studying local voices. “It shouldn’t be too hard to pick it up,” she said, “I am from a lower middle class family and I started life with a Cockney accent.”