“We had always insisted on working with actors because they do what they're told. You can make actors play the character exactly as you want him, expressing opinions on politics, religion, all aspects of society. No comedian would do that for fear of alienating their following. Actors brush off criticism by attributing offending mannerisms or material to the role. Besides, comedians argue about the laughs.”
“There's absolutely no need for Jake or Harry to impersonate the original cast. Once they're in the clothes, they're Cockney rag-and bone men, and a son trying to escape the ghostly clutches of his wily old man.”
“What you can say today is different. Taboo subjects like sex or words like 'shagging' used to be greeted with gasps. Now that sort of thing is scarcely noticed. Jokes haven't changed much, though.”
“[So is Murder at Oil Drum Lane now the end for Albert and Harold?] It's a new chapter and I suppose it's the final one, ... I can't see anything else that could be done with Steptoe and Son except another play. I don't envisage that but I would never rule it out.”
“If you write plays there are only two places in the world where you would want them to be staged. One is New York, the other is the West End of the greatest city in the world - London.”
