When I did Taming of the Shrew, I was very tired, and I decided to have a holiday and make a documentary.

I had a quick ear and could pick up languages.

My mother felt it was time that I had some parental control, so I went off to America and went to New York.

I spoke French a bit, and I could speak a bit of this and that, and when you were taught those things by people who couldn't really do it, you can do some pretty wonderfully, imaginative horrific things to teachers.

Suddenly I had a contract and I was earning lots of money.

I sort of was good at writing essays. I was never very good at mathematics, and I was never very good at algebra. I loved science, but I wasn't sure of it.

I never used to sleep much. I think we all go through a bit of a time like that where we rage about. If we don't, I don't think you've ever really lived.