Quote

Opera is one of the most important art forms. It should be listened to and appreciated by everyone.

I'm always keeping an eye out for a period piece. I was trained in theatre, so most of the things we did were classical - Shakespeare, Moliere, and Chekhov.

I've always loved opera; it never occurred to me that I would write a proper libretto.

Art is all about the experience. I could say I don't really relate to opera, but then you watch Placido Domingo, and you go, 'Blimey, look at that.'

I've just written a very gritty, non-magical take on the King Arthur legend, 'Here Lies Arthur,' and I'm currently toying with some other historical ideas, as well as working with the illustrator David Wyatt on some sequels to my Victorian space opera 'Larklight.'

Classicism becomes avant-garde when everyone else is doing their utmost to develop new stylistic forms. I think it's healthy to return to classical forms.

People perceive opera and classical as elitist - I disagree. I've always tried to mix the two, make it more accessible.

Opera is a beautiful and important diversion for me.

Opera is the original marriage of words and music, and there's a theatre element, a dramatic element. It's right up my alley.

Each of my Shakespeare pieces is different to the other, but each espouses a set of philosophies common to all my theatre work.