I would say critically of myself that I am somebody without secrets. Sometimes acting depends on you having a secret. I don't think I've ever had that.

Having caught a glimpse of what I might be able to do with my talent, I feel a tremendous obligation to try to fulfill it.

There is something essentially sanguine about me, which I am inclined to attribute to the fact that I was born by caesarean section. It must affect you.

I don't practise any religion but I am deeply interested in the answers that mankind has come up with to explain the human situation.

I'd like to direct more operas.

Jesus is absolutely at the centre of Western civilisation and part of my fascination with him is, why? What is it about this particular man and his story?

Childhood didn't have a big influence on me, really - in fact I spent most of it plotting how to escape.