HOW much should we pry into other people's lives when our curiosity is aroused?

Should we leave well enough alone, in fear that Pandora's Box isn't only opened, the contents are scattered all over the room?

That's the premise of Dangerous Corner, the JB Priestley dinner party play revived next week at the Theatre Royal in which a seemingly innocent question about a death triggers a whole series of interrogations.

The play, which premiered in 1932 , now features a major cast list starring the likes of Finty Williams.

But does Finty, daughter of Dame Judi Dench and the late Michael Williams, believe it's best to tackle difficult family issues - and risk being dangerously cornered?

"I think it's always a good idea to tell the truth," she says in bright voice.

"But as for asking questions, well you have to balance it all out with no wishing to hurt anyone, although I don't believe people go out of there way to hurt others."

Although she does agree people can be jealous and hurtful.

"It's sad, but it's true," she says.

"You only have to look at the Apprentice, I suppose. You have a group of people who live together and are seemingly the best of friends, and then they go into the boardroom and trash each other. All they care about is number one."

Finty Williams immediately strikes as someone who strives to see the best in others.

And she's open.

For example, when discussing her acting career (she's appeared in the likes of Gosford Park and Mrs Brown) and how being part of an acting dynasty has affected her, the actress tells it like it is.

"My mother was trepidatious about me becoming an actor," she recalls of her decision to choose the career after landing he first job as a teenager.

"She didn't feel I had a thick enough skin for the unpredictability of the business.

"I don't think she was right about that, but what she hadn't factored in was the criticism I'd get from those who compared us and would say 'Oh, she wasn't as good as her mother'."

Finty takes a moment to reflect; "Don't get me wrong, I chose to go into the business. But it can hurt when you get that sort of attack. And what people don't know there are times when you feel like sobbing in a corner."

Finty, born Tara Cressida Frances Williams but re-named by her dad, is also frank about the business of acting. She can't quite understand those who employ the Method, for example.

"Where do you draw the line," she says, smiling.

"If you play a psychopath you don't go off and become Dennis Nilsen. You just try and say the lines as believably as possibly."

The actress admits the job is often the camouflage used by those who aren't quite sure about revealing their true selves.

"I love the idea of stepping into other worlds," she says smiling, of playing characters such as upper crust Freda Caplan in Dangerous Corner.

"I'm not keen on the idea of wearing the silk evening dress and the heavy jewels every night - that's not me at all - but I love becoming someone else.

"That's because I'm not always that confident as myself at times.

"And getting to play someone else for a couple of hours every night is great. It allows you an overview of your own life."

Acting is a form of therapy, she adds. And Finty is currently delighting in working alongside the likes of Michael Praed of Robin of Sherwood, Dalziel and Pascoe's Colin Buchanan, Emmerdale's Kim Thomson, Downton Abbey's Matt Milne and Holby City star Lauren Drummond.

"Our director Michael Attenborough's father died during rehearsals (Richard, Lord Attenborough)," she says.

"And what was fantastic to see was the support he got from the company. They showed themselves to be a great group of people."

Touring theatre however, is not a perennial delight. Finty admits she's something of a homebird; she'd rather be back at her flat each night with her partner, in her own bed.

But at least coming to Scotland reminds her of happy times.

"I love Glasgow and the west coast of Scotland," she says.

"The reason for this is my parents loved to come north.

"Because they were both actors and not able to commit to foreign holidays or whatever because of the unpredictability of work, when both found themselves not working we'd jump in the car and head north.

"My mother in particular loved to take us to the middle of nowhere and we'd pitch a tent. I just thought this the most fantastic way to have fun."

More fun than theatre?

"The camping was fun until I got to about the age of 14," she says, laughing.

"At that point my priorities changed."

n Dangerous Corner, the Theatre Royal, October 27-November 1.