AMERICA doesn't do royalty but if anyone was likely to be crowned Queen of Broadway then it would be Bernadette Peters.

From making her stage debut in 1967, the New York singer and actress has become a truly stellar performer picking up three Tony Awards, the theatrical equivalent of an Oscar, along the way.

And now she is coming to Manchester next weekend for one of just three shows in the UK - the first time that she has performed on this side of the Atlantic in 15 years.

"I really don't know why it has taken so long to come back," said Bernadette. "I love the UK and I'm delighted to be coming to sing for everyone again."

Singer, actor, comedian, author, charity worker are all descriptions which would fit on her extensive CV.

So how does the lady in question think of herself?

"You know, I see myself in the present moment. I don't look back and say 'what have I done?' or 'what have I accomplished?" she said. "I'm always thinking what more can I learn or how can I become better at what I do?"

Bernadette is an engaging and charming interviewee., actually thanking me for taking to time to speak to her!

During the course of our Transatlantic phone call she's keen to discover where my accent comes from. My answer of "Accrington" leaves her a little non-plussed. When I try to enlighten her by saying it's a northern accent it prompts her to ask "Is that the same accent as Ringo has?".

Moving away from my northern roots we focus on the forthcoming show at Manchester Opera House.

"In the show I'll be singing some songs by Sondheim because I love it and I'll do some Rodgers and Hammerstein," she said.

"It's all about entertaining the audience and hopefully putting a show together that has a nice arc to it.

"At the end of the night you just want people to come away feeling that they have had a lovely evening."

For the UK shows - London and Edinburgh are the two other dates on the tour - Bernadette will be bringing her own pianist, bassist and drummer over from the States and supplementing that with UK-based musicians.

"I'll also have my own sound and lighting guys - I'm not roughing it," she laughed.

Fans of Bernadette - and there are many - will not be surprised to hear that the works of Stephen Sondheim feature prominently in the show as she is widely recognised as one of the leading interpreters of his work. She has starred in a number of his musicals including playing the original Witch in Into the Woods Sundays in the Park with George and Gypsy.

"Sondheim says that he approaches every show he writes like an actor approaching a new role," said Bernadette. "This means there is always a lot of depth in the characters and it is almost like getting a script within a song.

"That's why I never tire of singing his songs, I find something new in them every time.

"For the show, the songs that I choose are ones that I have an interest in or things that I like to be reminded of like No-one is Alone or Children Will Listen from Into the Woods."

Although she may be reluctant to dwell on her achievements in various forms of entertainment they are well worth noting.

In the movies she starred in Mel Brooks' comedy classic Silent Movie and also alongside Steve Martin in The Jerk. She has also worked with major directors such as Clint Eastwood and Woody Allen.

Her TV work includes appearance in Ugly Betty, Will and Grace and most recently the Amazon series Mozart in the Jungle, a comedy-drama based around life in the New York Symphony Orchestra.

"It's a wonderful series to be part of," she said. "It has won two Golden Globes and it is written in a very original way. It is fun to do and also it brings the whole world of the symphony orchestra alive."

After her short visit to the UK, Bernadette will be heading to Venice for filming episodes of Mozart in the Jungle.

"I guess I'm on a European tour this year," she laughed. "But I'm so looking forward to it."

Bernadette Peters, Manchester Opera House, Sunday, June 5. Details from 0844 871 3018