Cameron Mackintosh

I had set a goal of being a producer by 25.

An old building is like a show. You smell the soul of a building. And the building tells you how to redo it.

My own tastes happen to be in tune with what the public wants. I think that's the reason my batting average is so high, not because I've discovered some brilliant formula.

I know I'm in the exceptional position of having money, but I didn't have it for many decades. I'm always trying to get shows put on for 25 per cent less production costs.

I've spent more money on my theatres since I bought them than I did buying them.

I know I'm in the exceptional position of having money but I didn't have it for many decades.

I don't like being in debt, and I wouldn't borrow money for anything.

I'm proud of the fact that I've taken a lot of big directors, such as Trevor Nunn and Nick Hytner, who were musical virgins, and introduced them to the form.

I'm privileged to have had some success, but I've never forgotten what it was like to queue for a half-crown gallery seat for 'Oliver!' which is why I ensure that there are £20 day tickets for 'Miss Saigon' and that the balconies in my theatres are as comfortable as I can possibly make them."

If there's too much of you around, people can get tired of you.

I am not driven.

I love architecture almost as much as I love my musicals.