Books were my window on the world. Growing up at the Elephant and Castle, which was very rough, my paradise was the library.
I had been nine years in the theatre and hadn't had massive success. My only thing was I wanted to be an actor and I didn't care when, where, or how much for.
I'm forever testing myself. As a person and as an actor, I have no sense of competition.
To disappear your complete self into a character is quite difficult. I've tried it 85 times, and I've succeeded two or three times.
I usually control the environment I'm in, but my control is very quiet and subtle.
I'm a frustrated stand-up comic. If you hand me a microphone and I get one laugh, then I'll go on for 20 minutes.
