What I do believe is theatre is a medium with a peculiar ability to air vital issues.

If you play a part that's been done before, on stage for instance, you feel like you're carrying a torch and staggering under the weight of it for a bit and then passing it on to somebody else.

The idea that if you are very clever you shouldn't be an actor would be laughable in Russia.

We'll be back. I promise you that.

I'm not very good at relaxing. Reading's the main thing. On the bus, on the tube, on the loo. Literally all the time. I mean, I don't think there's a moment of the day when I wouldn't be if I was left alone.

What did my parents say when I told them I wanted to be an actor? 'Be a plumber.'

Im lucky enough to work with, I think, the greatest writer theres ever been, Shakespeare. Whose collected works would always be under my pillow if I was only ever allowed one book to keep, and who never bores me.