I am an opera virgin; I'd far prefer to see a musical such as 'Guys and Dolls.

I've just finished reading a book about the brilliant Margaret Rutherford. She wasn't a beauty, but inside she was absolutely blazing and passionate about her work. She's one of those life-affirming characters.

I must confess that I'm not a great reader. At the moment I'm reading my son's 'Stig of the Dump' by Clive King and I've got a plant catalogue on the go.

I am an opera virgin; I'd far prefer to see a musical such as 'Guys and Dolls.

Wyndham's is a beautiful old theatre. The sensation on the stage isn't as different as you might think from the Royal Court.

I haven't played Hedda Gabler yet, but maybe if I did I might find the funny bits.

As an actor you get categorized by other people, but it's not like I arrange myself into comedy mode or serious mode. If it's good writing you just have to play it true - if it's funny, it's funny. But obviously you don't want it to be amusing if you're playing Hedda Gabler!