When you know you have 1,000 people sitting on the edge of their seats in silence because of a shift that just happened on stage, there is no better feeling.

The Old Vic has always been first and foremost an actors theatre, a home for great talent and memorable performances.

Anytime someone can beat the acting out of someone else, I think its a wonderful thing.

Audiences grew to like this duality of feeling, where youre both championing a character and youre revolted by them.

It's much more interesting when you go to different places - make a left turn when nobody expects you to make a left turn, and make a right when nobody expects you to do that.

What I do is interpret, not create. I may add elements and do something different. That is what is so incredible about theatre. Why do we love it that there are nine Hamletsor six King Lears over two years? We love to watch a different actor attack the same material.

Theatre is alive and it is now, and then it's gone.