Donald Sinden

James Agate, a great critic of the day, advised me that the way to learn your job properly was to learn Shakespeare, so I went to Stratford. It really sorts out the men from the boys. ”

Whatever part I'm playing, I always carry with me something that's been used by an illustrious predecessor. I'm a great believer in a touching of hands. I have daggers belonging to Henry Irving and Sarah Siddons. ”

Being a non-swimmer, I've never been excited by the sea so avoid it on holidays. ”

You come across quite ordinary, nondescript people in daily life, and I don't see why you should be subjected to them on the stage, too. ”

I'm really not livable with when I'm rehearsing because I'm living the character. ”

An actor who knows his business ought to be able to make the London telephone directory sound enthralling. ”

I've been very fortunate. I've been in theater, films, television, radio, tragedy, comedy, farce - I've been in a musical and in music halls, in pantomime. I was once ringmaster in a circus. ”