You think you're an artist; prove it Laurence Olivier More Quotes by Laurence Olivier More Quotes From Laurence Olivier I believe that in a great city, or even in a small city or a village, a great theater is the outward and visible sign of an inward and probable culture. Laurence Olivier theatrecitiesbelieve Living is strife and torment, disappointment and love and sacrifice, golden sunsets and black storms. I said that some time ago, and today I do not think I would add one word. Laurence Olivier sunsetdisappointmentlife What is the main problem of the actor? It is to keep the audience awake, and not let them go to sleep, then wake up and go home feeling they've wasted their money. Laurence Olivier homefeelingssleep [May 1958, on playing Macbeth at age 30 and age 48] When you're a young man, Macbeth is a character part. When you're older, it's a straight part. Laurence Olivier agecharactermen Life is enthusiasm, zest. Laurence Olivier zestenthusiasmlife-is I often think that could we creep behind the actor's eyes, we would find an attic of forgotten toys and a copy of the Domesday Book. Laurence Olivier eyebookthinking Acting, is not a profession for adults. Laurence Olivier professionadultsacting We ape, we mimic, we mock. We act. Laurence Olivier mockapes Of all the things I've done in life, directing a motion picture is the most beautiful. It's the most exciting and the nearest than an interpretive craftsman, such as an actor can possibly get to being a creator. Laurence Olivier actorsdonebeautiful There is a spirit in us that makes our brass to blare and our cymbals crash-all, of course, supported by the practicalities of trained lung power, throat, heart, guts. Laurence Olivier cymbalsspiritheart We have all, at one time or another, been performers, and many of us still are - politicians, playboys, cardinals and kings. Laurence Olivier politiciankingstime Without acting, I cannot breathe. Laurence Olivier breatheacting We used to have actresses trying to become stars; now we have stars trying to become actresses. Laurence Olivier actressesstarstrying If he was lost for a moment, he would dive straight back into its honey. Laurence Olivier momentslosthoney My stage successes have provided me with the greatest moments outside myself, my film successes the best moments, professionally, within myself. Laurence Olivier best-momentsfilmmoments I'm rather bored by the subject - meaning me. It's a sort of a yoke, but at times you know, a yoke is a kind of comfort. And it's always there. Laurence Olivier boredomcomfortkindness If you're an artist, you've got to prove it. Laurence Olivier prove-itifsart Art is a little bit larger than life - it's an exhalation of life and I think you probably need a little touch of madness. Laurence Olivier artneedsthinking I believe in the theater; I believe in it as the first glamorizer of thought. It restores dramatic dynamics and their relations to life size. Laurence Olivier dynamicsbelievefirsts Autograph-hunting is the most unattractive manifestation of sex-starved curiosity. Laurence Olivier huntingcuriositysex
