My kids are really learning everything from scratch. It's our job to be their tour guides and camp counselors and orientation people. That's a weird responsibility, especially in a world that feels as good as it feels bad.

I like the ephemeral thing about theatre, every performance is like a ghost - it's there and then it's gone.

I just did adore Daniel - Daniel Radcliffe, who I had worked with before "Harry Potter" and spent a long time telling all the producers they had to see him because I thought he was so terrific. And it's been sad thinking about it because of Alan Rickman.

I am just surprised to be doing anything at my age actually. When you think of where I am now and where I've come from, I am very pleased and very grateful to be standing up and delivering Julian's great lines.

I'd done "Gosford Park," a film that Julian Fellowes had written that Robert Altman directed.

The last couple of years have been a write-off, though I'm beginning to feel like a person now. My energy is coming back.

The performances you have in your head are always much better than the performances on stage.