For seven decades, Sir Donald Sinden has been seen on our screens in films and TV, performed on our radios and entertained us from the stage. With his well-known, warm and distinctive voice and commanding presence, it's no wonder he is still working! Born in 1923, Sir Donald initially wanted to become an architect. He explains: "My grandfather was an architect and I love architecture, but I was 'spotted' while starring in an amateur play and architecture never came about." This was during his first stage appearance at the Brighton Little Theatre on 26th January 1941, where he played Dudley in 'George and Margaret'. "It's the one anniversary I celebrate." He broke into professional acting after he was asked to join The Mobile Entertainments Southern Area company, to entertain the troops during World War Two. He explains: "I couldn't sign up as I have asthma, but everyone had to do war work. By the time the war had ended I had caught the acting bug." Describing himself as a "Victorian actor", Sir Donald's list of starring roles is endless. In 1953, he starred in 'The Cruel Sea', playing Lt. Lockhart, one of his finest roles and the one that launched his career. For the next 10 years, he was a major star of British cinema, appearing in a massive 22 films, including 'Doctor in the House'. During this time, Sir Donald acted alongside a number of famous figures, including Dirk Bogarde, Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable. Fond memories flow into the conversation. "Clarke Gable was bad at sharing cigarettes. In the 'fifties, when you had cigarettes in your pocket, you shared them. I offered Gable one and he took it, then I offered him another and he took it. This happened three times. When finally he took a packet out of his pocket, he looked in the opposite direction, took a cigarette out, and asked for a light without offering me one!" Sir Donald tells me about meeting Marilyn Monroe, "I had played a joke on her, the next thing I heard was the 'tip, tip, tip' of her shoes, and a peel of girlie laughter. She stayed for about 25 minutes, thereafter she came and visited every day. She was not an intellectual, talked a lot of title-tattle, but was desperately attractive."

During the 'sixties', he threw himself whole-heartedly into the theatre. In 1963, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company and received great acclaim for his classical roles. In the 1970s, he starred in the Royal Shakespeare Company's productions of King Lear and Othello. When talking to Sir Donald, it's not hard to imagine him playing such leading roles, and I am captivated as he fluently recites quotes to me. I turn down his offer to recite the whole of Hamlet as I am supposed to be interviewing him! His love for the classical arts and theatre is contagious. "Shakespeare says everything you want to say, but he says it perfectly. How can you beat quotes like 'I do love nothing in the world so well as you'? I feel privileged to be saying his lines. I prefer theatre, as an actor this is what it's all about. Television is just filling in the time. It's about being on stage where no two performances are ever the same. You can see a film 100 times and it's always the same." I am intrigued about who this highly acclaimed actor looked up to for inspiration. "Sir Arthur John Gielgud (known as John Gielgud). In 1944, I went to watch him play Hamlet 18 times. Every time I went I got something different out of his amazing performance. He was an amazing classical actor." Returning to our screens in the seventies, Sir Donald starred in the comedy 'Two's Company', where he played an English butler alongside American actress, Elaine Stritch. He also stood alongside veteran actor, Windsor Davies, in 'Never The Twain' (1981-91), where he played snooty antiques dealer, Simon Peel. "I had a great relationship with my co-stars." The 67 episodes are currently being repeated on ITV3. More recently, Sir Donald has been a regular in the series 'Judge John Deed'. The list of roles Sir Donald has starred in is immense I can't possibly list them all. Today, he has just returned from a three-week cruise around the Mediterranean, where he performed four nights during his trip. Sir Donald tells me "one night is good for me at this age." At 84 years old, I find it hard to imagine that he would still want to work at all, but he is quick to reassure me the reason is simple: "I love it! The people on the cruise were awfully polite and left me alone, but they possibly said good morning to me more than most."

'An Evening With... Sir Donald Sinden' is currently underway across the UK, and he is especially looking forward to starring at the Ashcroft Theatre. "I worked with Dame Peggy Ashcroft (born Edith Margaret Emily Ashcroft) in 'The Heiress' in 1949, 'The War of the Roses' and during my time at the Royal Shakespeare Company. She was a great actress." Sir Donald was knighted in 1997 (he already had a CBE). "It was a great honour for me and my profession." He continues: "The Queen and I had a nice little chat. She has been to a number of plays I have been in, as have Queen Mary, the Queen Mother and Prince Charles. It's daunting when you are told royalty is in the audience. But what's worse is that you are always aware nobody can laugh until the Queen laughs." I am curious, whether Sir Donald has achieved all of his dreams? "I have tried everything and have even been an honouree ringmaster in the circus. The only thing I have never been in is the ballet, but I think I am too old to dance Romeo." There are other roles he could play, so he may still get a chance to fulfil his dream. I leave the conversation with a promise to re-read my copy of 'Romeo and Juliet'. Having loved listening to a classical actor with one of the most distinguished voices in history quoting Shakespeare to me, I certainly won't be breaking my promise in a hurry!