All I want to see from an actor is the intensity and accuracy of their listening.

There's, like, marks next to an actor's name or something, and boy does that go up and down! Somewhere in there, which always causes my mate Miss Ruby Wax great hilarity, I was offered a biopic of Frank Sinatra. Even I knew that was a bad idea! They'll throw anything at you at certain times. So, you know, to thine own self be true.

The difference between being an actor and a director is simple. The director has to hide his panic; the actor doesn't.

I've learned, having been on a lot of sets, the good news is that by definition you are surrounded by experts. They get fired if they're not - unlike in the theatre!

Who I am gets in the way of people looking innocently at the parts I play.

You try to find things that are challenging and interesting and hopefully it will be the same to the audience.

I think worrying things are going on in England - a real apathy.