louise on the left (coast)

Portrait of the artist: Miriam Margolyes, actor 'I've been very lucky – I've worked consistently and I haven't had to kiss a lot of people on stage' Interview by  Laura Barnett guardian.co.uk , Monday 3 January 2011 21.59 GMT   larger  |  smaller Miriam Margolyes. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian What got you started? Me and My Girl Crucible,  Sheffield Until 29 January Box office:  0114 249 6000 Venue website You're born with the performing gene. I was a show-off at school, so it was inevitable I would become an actress. Who or what have you sacrificed for your art? Nothing at all. I have lived an entirely egotistical life, for myself alone. What's the best advice anyone ever gave you? Max Stafford-Clark once told me to "play the opposite". It's about showing a character's layers: when you're playing a happy person, you show them sad; when you're playing an angry p

Portrait of the artist: Miriam Margolyes, actor 'I've been very lucky – I've worked consistently and I haven't had to kiss a lot of people on stage Interview by  Laura Barnett guardian.co.uk , Monday 3 January 2011 21.59 GMT Miriam Margolyes. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian What got you started? You're born with the performing gene. I was a show-off at school, so it was inevitable I would become an actress. Who or what have you sacrificed for your art? Nothing at all. I have lived an entirely egotistical life, for myself alone. What's the best advice anyone ever gave you? Max Stafford-Clark once told me to "play the opposite". It's about showing a character's layers: when you're playing a happy person, you show them sad; when you're playing an angry person, you show them contented. I don't like Max very much, but I think he's a very good director. Is it more difficult for women to sustain an acting career