Quotes by Kathy Burke

I used to get defensive when people asked me, 'Is it the control that you like about directing?' I used to say, 'No!' But now I'm older, I say, 'Yeah, it absolutely is!'

I'm happy to be selfish now. That's the beauty of getting older.

I don't half love being in my forties! You feel more grown-up and can say 'no' to things without feeling you're letting the whole team down. You don't have to worry about pleasing other people all the time. You just feel more comfortable in yourself.

I'm knocking on 50, and I'm still getting recognized for playing a 14-year-old boy. It makes me think I must still look great!

When I first decided to take off the tap shoes and concentrate on theatre directing, Dominic Dromgoole got in touch to ask if I'd like to do something with Oxford Stage Company. My reaction was negative.

I didn't want to work on dry, old plays written by the dry, old dead.

What I enjoy most about directing is the chance of working things out with the writer, plus I need their approval and I like the chat.

Twenty years ago I brought young, unknown film maker Joe Wright with me to a private show of 'Nil by Mouth.' Gary Oldman asked me if he was any good. I said, 'give it a few years and he'll direct you in a film that will win you an Oscar.'

I much prefer to meet actors that are really into the play rather than into the part.

People would think I wouldn't like Noel Coward. I think he was the original punk in a lot of ways. You know. Saucy. Doing his own thing.