My mother wanted me to be a teacher. She had this vision of me walking across the quadrangle in an Oxford college wearing my academic gown.

I am never bored, never short of anything to do and I don't even ever feel lonely. I am quite gregarious and I get out and about a lot, but sometimes it is just wonderful to be on your own.

I hated Sundays when I was growing up in Streatham, south London. Everything closed down and stopped.

To enter a theatre for a performance is to be inducted into a magical space, to be ushered into the sacred arena of the imagination.

To live another person's life is quite a weird thing.

My mother wanted me to be a teacher. She had this vision of me walking across the quadrangle in an Oxford college wearing my academic gown.

I'd like to direct more operas.