My father died prematurely at the age of 52 when I was 24, and it is a recurring regret that he never lived to see me succeed beyond university and drama.

When I came to England, the first director I met was Charles Sturridge, who told me, 'You speak like somebody out of the 1950s.

I would still like to go to the moon before I die.

I am drawn to writing and directing as it is most like the feeling I had when I was a teenager with my puppet theatre. You are more in control of everything and involved in every aspect of production, so more challenged and fulfilled.

It's well known that actors are lousy writers.

Proving yourself in a field where the casualty rate is so notoriously high is an ongoing challenge.

Never give up. You only get one life. Go for it!