Theatre is liberating because it only works if it's truthful, That's what it requires. That's not true of film: the camera does lie.

I listen to Radio 4 all the time. I didn't go to university, so that's my further education.

People are not considerate of others. They tend not to consider themselves as all living together, but see themselves only as individuals.

When I was 14 I told my mother I intended to be in the House of Commons in the morning, in court in the afternoon and on stage in the evening. She realised then a fantasist had been born.

I love London, and it's a privilege for my children to grow up here.

My own parents were very un-neurotic, so I never thought that I had to change enormously in order to become a parent.

People who are exceptionally intelligent are often lonely because there are few people as intelligent as them. I have two little children and everyone says: 'I hope they're doing well in school. I hope they're bright.' And I think: why would anyone want their children to be the brightest? Academia is a lonely world.