Kate Smith

Because of my voice, speaking words which had been carefully chosen, women had used money they had set aside for other purposes to buy war bonds.

There's no second chance on stage, and I was trained to make the most of my first chance.

I sometimes get that wonderful sympathy between me and the audience, telling me I've reached their hearts. And when I do, the thrill is mine.

People mature at different stages and I feel I'm learning a lot.

I think for any actor, for the roles they deeply, truly want? They always have to audition for them.

In early 1993, when I was 12, I was separated from my family as the Sierra Leone civil war, which began two years earlier, came into my life.