Angela Lansbury says she has 'no intention' to retire from acting

LONDON, June 5 (UPI) -- Busy actress Angela Lansbury says she has "no intention" to retire.

The 88-year-old theater, television and film star will wrap up her latest production on June 7, but she already has ideas lined up for her next project. She currently stars as Madame Arcati in the West End revival of Blithe Spirit, and regularly receives thunderous applause for her performance.

"I think it is simply an expression of astonishment that I am still able to put one leg in front of the other," she jokes in a new interview with the Daily Telegraph.

The actress plans to take a "short break" after Blithe Spirit ends, but says she "likes the idea" of doing Enid Bagnold's The Chalk Garden next.

"Now that is an interesting play," she teases. "I also rather fancy the idea of a Restoration comedy."

Lansbury recognizes the "ageist" attitudes that exist in her profession, but points to her recent successes as proof of her continued merit. She starred alongside James Earl Jones in a 2013 production of Driving Miss Daisy, and the play was so well-received it is being shown in 500 theaters worldwide June 4-10.