Miriam & Bree's special bond 'SHE STEPPED IN WHEN BECOME A SOLO PARENT'

The acting pow erhouese have celebrated together and supported each other through depression and separation 

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Surrounded by family and friends, stage and screen legend Miriama McDowell celebrated her 40th birthday with a Lion Queen party - "because I'm a Leo" - where guests dressed as jungle animals and lip-synched to the song Circle Of Life.

Three years on, Miriama has fond memories of the night - including the heartfelt speech one of her besties, fellow acting powerhouse Bree Peters, delivered.

S About to appear together on stage for the first time in five years, the duo tell Woman's Day about their close friendship - one so close that Bree flew home from Australia, where she was starring in Home And Away, for one night only to speak at Miriama's birthday.

Reflecting on what their friendship means, there is laughter and a few tears wiped away when the tough times are recalled.

"I love that she owns her flaws as much as her strengths, I love that my kids love her more than they love me and that she's one of the best actors in New Zealand," says Miriama, smiling at her friend.