Kathleen Turner's My London

Home is…

The Upper West Side in New York City. I love the light and being near the Hudson river.

Where do you stay in London?

Marylebone. I like being able to walk everywhere and going from store to store on Marylebone High Street to get my groceries.

First thing you do when you arrive in Marylebone?

Go for a walk in Regent’s Park.

Most romantic thing someone’s done for you in London?

I haven’t had any romances here. New York is much more romantic, it’s so alive and people are more outgoing.

Best place for a first date?

Newman Street Tavern. It blends the atmospheres of a pub and a restaurant.

Favourite shops?

The Ginger Pig on Moxon Street does fantastic meat, Daunt on Marylebone High Street is gorgeous for books, and I recently discovered Oska on New Cavendish Street — the clothes are well-made and I like the comfortable style.

Best thing a cabbie has said to you?

As soon as I start speaking they recognise my voice and sometimes they dial their wives to prove I’m in their cab.

Last play you saw?

A View from the Bridge at the Young Vic starring Mark Strong. It was beautifully done — excellent acting and very powerful.

Best meal?

Green’s on Duke Street does the best steak tartare. My signature dish is slow-cooked beef, and you should taste my fried chicken.

Earliest London memory?

We came over from Caracas (my father was a diplomat) when I was 13. We stayed at the Cumberland Hotel near Marble Arch and I sneaked out to explore Oxford Street. It was so different to Venezuela and very exciting.

Building you’d like to buy?

One of the Regency buildings around Regent’s Park. They look like they let in a lot of light.

Favourite club?

I went to The Club at The Ivy with my co-star Ian McDiarmid the other night. We had a martini and it felt very naughty.

Best discovery?

I love the mews houses around Marylebone.

What would you do as Mayor for the day?

Get rid of all the bureaucrats.

Best piece of advice you’ve been given?

My grandfather told me not to take myself too seriously when I was about nine and complaining about going back to Caracas.

Last album you downloaded?

Dear Love, my daughter Rachel Ann Weiss’ album. Listening to it makes me feel more proud than I could have ever imagined.

Biggest extravagance?

Private Pilates lessons before I head to the theatre.

Building you’d most like to be locked in overnight?

One of the museums so I’d never be bored. The British Museum is too big, Tate Modern is too weird... I’d go for the National Portrait Gallery.

What do you collect?

Books. I consider everything else as just ‘things’.

Who’s your hero?

A very liberal political humorist called Mary Tyler ‘Molly’ Ivins. She was a woman of great courage and you get the feeling she was sincere. I’m taking a one-woman show based on her life to San Francisco later this year.

Bakersfield Mist is at the Duchess Theatre until 30 August (0844 412 4659; bakersfieldmist.com)