I was all set to fly to Ghana for Christmas. Then came an unexpected offer

When you are an actor, you never say no to great work. But when I finally reached Accra, and walked on its red earth, I knew I would be back there soon

My Christmas memory begins in early summer 2004, on day two of rehearsals for Stuff Happens, David Hare's brilliantly funny, heartbreaking excoriation of what took us to war with Iraq in 2003. I get to play Condoleezza Rice in Nick Hytner's stunning production; Shostakovich, elegantly pointed chair action and top-of-the-range acting!

Of-the-moment politics, while playing the thrillingly enigmatic Condi" on the National Theatre's Olivier stage, with an audience hungry for answers ... heaven.