The 5-Minute Interview: Felicity Kendal, Actor

'Society is more violent, but don't blame poverty'

Felicity Kendal, 60, stars in 'Amy's View' by David Hare at the Garrick theatre, London, until 17 February.

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...

On Battersea Park with George, a cocker spaniel.

A phrase I use far too often is...

"Yes". I try to do too many things and end up having to cancel them.

I wish people would take more notice of...

The effect they have on others. Inconsideration for others is the root of a lot of major and minor disasters and, in the extreme, leads to war and destruction.

The most surprising thing that happened to me was...

I wrote an autobiography, mostly relating to my father. It's something I was most proud of.

A common misperception of me is...

I'm quite nice and friendly. I'm not sure that I'm as nice and friendly as people think.

I'm not a politician but...

I despair of the young violence. We're in a society that's getting more violent. I grew up in India where there's a lot of poverty. People blame young crime on poverty. I say "bollocks."

I'm good at...

Loving.

But I'm very bad at...

Cooking and talking at the same time.

You know me as an actress, but in a truer life I'd have been a...

Teacher for young children. I don't think I'd cope with young adults.

The best age to be is...

Between 45 and 55 because you're in the middle and know who you are and you have your family and are settled in a career.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this:

Try to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Elisa Bray