Quotes from Brenda Blethyn

Before every performance, I think I am about to keel over.

Maybe wanting to retire is my ambition.

At the risk of sounding naff, it is having hope fulfilled.

The academy awards in England; it's a classy affair as well.

People say to me that I can't be nervous because I've had such a wealth of experience, but I tell them that I have never done this particular part before.

I think behind closed doors people behave differently no matter what period we're looking at, because people have to stand up straight in public but can slouch behind closed doors - can you imagine wearing those corsets?

It's a real leveller, you know, to do theatre at least once every two years.

I always considered myself very successful even before the success of Secrets and Lies.

Even if I hadn't have been nominated for an Oscar, to have won the Golden Glove was just fantastic.

I love silence.

I like the enthusiasm but not the insincerity of Los Angeles.

Everyone the world over talks about British actors and British talent and I think that's because we were trained - until now - in theatre.

I think people often confuse success with fame and stardom.

I always think 12 times before saying anything.

We lived in a rented house, which was in a very poor state of repair, but despite many pleas to the landlord we found that we had to like it or lump it.

I hate that people think going to the theatre is a special occasion. I wish people would treat it as normally as going to the cinema.

I've made six films since I made Secrets and Lies but I still live in London and I'd love to do theater.

In fact at home I sometimes like to be quiet and hear the sounds of the world outside.

I think people often confuse success with fame and stardom.

I knew Secrets and Lies was a great film, but I didn't expect it to get the attention it did because none of his other films had and I thought they were just as good.

I've done a lot of costume drama and theatre - the National Theatre and In fact, most of my work at the theatre, at the National Theatre anyway, was period.

Anything where people have to work together makes me cry.

The strange thing is that since I've been offered lots of films I think that maybe they think that I've sold out to Hollywood. Which is not the case if anybody's listening.

I've never done a big studio film, I've only ever done little ones.