I had always heard that theatre is for 'serious' actors but after actually having rehearsed day in and day out, I realize how challenging it is.
Theatre is really difficult, so it's important that you have a director that kind of understands that and is really hands on.
But theatre is always a difficult experience.
It must have been an extraordinary time. I guess the worrying thing about musical theatre to me, is if you look at the London season this year, mine is actually the only one to have come in.
Theatre is difficult. It's not that I'm afraid of doing 'one takes' or shots, but it's about being able to live one character for several hours on a daily basis!
I've been asked a lot why didn't 'Ruined' go to Broadway. It was the most successful play that Manhattan Theatre Club has ever had in that particular space, and yet we couldn't find a home on Broadway.
When you do a film, you get picked up in a car, lunch is free. Theatre is really hard, and you get absolutely no money.
Television has dried up for my generation, so it's plays and films. You get used to being lazy doing films, but classical theatre's going to finish me off.
Theatre is a series of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster.
The toughest challenge I faced came right at the beginning of my career with 'Blood Knot,' which was trying to convince South African audiences that South African stories also had a place on the stage.
I feel so sorry for younger actors who aren't able to have the opportunities that I had, starting out in repertory theatre. It's really tough on young actors now.
I certainly had times when I thought this wasn't going to work out, but just being a working actor felt like a victory.
