One of our efforts in doing a lot of Shakespeare is, the more we do it, the more proficient our students become, and the greater ability we have to make the stories clear for our audience. Once people come to a show, they're surprised by how accessible Shakespeare and his plots can be.

At the beginning, I said it was like the circus was coming to town and we were getting ring-side seats. Now, not only are they getting ring-side seats, but they are in the act. ... They are actually doing film work, which is great.

We try to do a Shakespeare play every year, because I feel that it provides the best tool for actor training. It's challenging in performance and language, physicality, analytical skills, and this particular one is along the serious lines, which seemed to fit the bill in terms of the kind of genre we wanted to explore. I call this the Sunday 'Times' Crossword Puzzle for actors.

Husbands never become good; they merely become proficient

Was there ever such stuff as great as part of Shakespeare? Only one must not say so! But what think you? - What? - Is there not sad stuff? What? - What?

I am so not technically proficient at all.