I have a disgracefully sweet tooth. My younger brother and I, all we care about are puddings. You can keep your smoked salmon and caviar.

- Donald Sinden

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

- Donald Sinden

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.

- Donald Sinden

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

- Donald Sinden

I grew up in Ditchling. It was an idyllic village at the foot of the South Downs. In those days, the village was full of artists and sculptors.

- Donald Sinden

I need to know who the audience are in any particular play. It's no good forgetting that they're there.

- Donald Sinden

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

- Donald Sinden

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.

- Donald Sinden

I remember once saying in a television interview that the only things I hadn't been in were the opera and the ballet. Two days later, I got a call from Lord Harewood, of the English National Opera, saying "Would you like to be in 'Ariadne auf Naxos?'"

- 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.

- Donald Sinden

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.

- Donald Sinden