Everyone thinks of the roaring twenties and associates it with decadence and flappers, female sexual liberation, the freedom of women to express themselves, the beginning of feminism. But it was also a time of huge, huge change.

The true art is being able to take whatever the writer's done, and if it is a bit flimsy or it is a bit rushed or is just box-ticking writing, then the true artist would be able to make that come off the page and sing for an audience or a viewer. I'm still learning how to do that properly.

I think if you stop learning, there's not much point, and so I always hope to be challenged. That's the beauty of this job.

Pixar make kids' movies, but there are jokes in there for adults, and it never gets too sentimental.

When France was the only reference for chefs to learn, you could go everywhere in the world, and they would copy dishes directly because they didn't have much expanded imagination or technique or knowledge.

I don't drive smart cars; I don't go on fancy holidays. All my money has gone on my kids' education.

Expect nothing and hope for the best' is my mantra. A drama teacher called Joseph Blatchley told me that, and it's the best advice I've had. If you keep an open mind and don't expect too much, then you won't be disappointed.

I vote far-left. I am frequently angered by corporate greed and think education ought to be free and teachers paid well.