Kerry Fox wows the English critics

New Zealand actress Kerry Fox has been praised by English critics in her latest role in London's West End.

"A throwback to those sexy cinematic strops Lauren Bacall and Glenda Jackson, the lynx-eyed Fox seems to have all that it takes to make a mega-diva," the Evening Standard reported.

The Guardian described Fox as like a chameleon, "such a delicate, subtle actress."

Fox, aged 34 last month, has had a string of successes since her remarkable, multi-award-winning debut in Jane Campion's An Angel At My Table, a film about writer Janet Frame.

Now she is playing Alex in Charlotte Jones' award-winning play, In Flame.

Fox has lived in London for six years and recently bought a house in trendy West Hampstead with her friend, chef Peter Gordon.

Gordon used to be head chef at the Sugar Club and Barley Sugar restaurants, and hopes shortly to open his own restaurant in London. He was named as last year's New Zealander of the Year in Britain.

"I'm terrible at being alone. I can't do it," Fox said.

"And Antipodeans stick together over here. It's a Kiwi thing. Peter and I had shared a place for six years, so it made sense to buy a house together. I feel as if I'm here permanently.

"The thing I like about London is that everybody is so different. It's just so rich and bustling. A lot of New Zealand is so dreary by contrast.

"New Zealanders tend to avoid confrontation but Australians have a bulldozing brashness. Maybe I'm guilty of that some days.

"I lived in Australia for six years, and I was astounded by their bluntness - particularly the women - but also really impressed by it. I admired them - and I can't deny that I adopted it."

- NZPA