Quotes

I was lucky not to have been born pretty.

I thought I was the wrong shape, that Miss Marple would be much fluffier than me, much more wearing shawls and things. But I was persuaded and now, well - I can only do it my way.

[on the death of her husband] I never really got over it, but my work was an enormous help. You simply have to go on.

[on her husband] He had no interest in the theatre. I don't think he ever came to see my work. After the show I would get on the train, go home and become Mrs Butler again. It was rather nice having two lives.

I wasn't beautiful, so there were plenty of character roles. I never did any Shakespeare, I'm far too superficial for that. I just act instinctively.

[on age] Once you stop, your brain goes, and when that happens it's all over.

[on being taken to her first pantomime, Cinderella, at the age of five] I was utterly entranced, and asked my parents to move as near to the theatre as possible. I knew immediately that the life I wanted was there.

I have never been a star, I'm just an old character bag.

I was never really pretty, so for someone like myself it's more useful to be a character actress than a leading actress... in television especially, they want real wrinkles.

[on Miss Marple] I think she's a wonderful woman with a very clear outlook on life. Miss Marple believes in justice and has very high standards. There is nothing you could say or do that would shock her.

Retirement is fatal. If you retire you go POP.

[on being sent away to school during World War I] It was one of the first co-educational schools. I remember my Aunt Lizzie in tweeds and a flying helmet running up and down the touchline shouting for our boys.

I love getting back to Wivenhoe. I get out of my wig, bustle and costume in three minutes flat at the end of the play before jumping into a taxi outside the theater and catching the train home.

[on being awarded an OBE] It must be because the programme (Miss Marple) has gone all over the world and is bringing in such lovely revenue. I think its enormous success is because it's so charmingly done.

[on disapproval from her relatives about acting] My Aunt Aggie - she was about 4 feet tall - drew herself up to her full height and said, 'What is Joan's destination to be?' which she thought was the gutter, you see.

[on the Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park during World War II] We kept one eye on the sky to see what was coming over. We used to feel the audience were being... stupid because they sort of hurled themselves on the ground.

I watch these old films in black and white, and suddenly the door opens and there I am. The other day, I was wearing the most awful hat.