I wanted to be a set designer when I was young.

I felt quite a responsibility when I played Elizabeth I but nobody here remembers her! And then I felt a responsibility when I played Queen Victoria but not many people remember her.

Filming is completely - was totally new to me ... I had a movie career which wasn't supposed to be, so I couldn't be more thrilled. For those who work, parts seem to get more interesting.

I'm always fearful. … Fear generates in you a huge energy. You can use it. When I feel that mounting fear, I think, 'Oh, yes, there it is!' It's like petrol.

In contrast, the control you have in a theatre is very attractive to me.

The Lord Chamberlin was censoring scripts when I first came into the theater.

I like to push myself beyond the limit every now and again.