Brenda Blethyn Quotations

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

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

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 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?

I think people often confuse success with fame and stardom.

Being a secretary was considered a very good job in those days.

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

I always think 12 times before saying anything.

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

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

Anything where people have to work together makes me cry.

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

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

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

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

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

When I left drama school, there were dozens of rep theatres you could apply to where you got a good training.

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.

It's the same as any role and I find that you can't lump characters together; because they all have different life experiences, different reasons for being the way they are.

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.

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.

Maybe wanting to retire is my ambition.

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

My dad gave me threepence to pay the fine but I spent it on a Wagon Wheel

People say to me that I cant be nervous because Ive had such a wealth of experience, but I tell them that I have never done this particular part before.