We learnt a lot because we got in with real choreographers who tell you what they need from a song, because a song has to advance the story. Then real directors like Mike Nichols tell you where you can have 'B themes' and 'C themes', and we go oh yes, B themes and C themes! So we were taught in the finest school amongst the finest people. And also by the school of experience.

I listen to the audience and try and bounce with them. All audiences are different. But they are all homo sapiens.

John Cleese once told me he'd do anything for money. So I offered him a pound to shut up, and he took it.

To me, the musical is best when it's a musical comedy. So if you have a very, very funny show, and very good, funny songs, that's what the musical does best.

My first professional job was appearing in a disastrous theatre production of Oh, What a Lovely War in Leicester Rep, shortly after leaving Cambridge.

Reading Alan Zweibel makes me laugh out loud. And yet it is not a particularly funny name.

I hate movies. They're so boring. So tedious.