Won't return to theatre: Maggie Smith

Veteran actress Maggie Smith says she will never work in theatre again due to her advancing years. The 78-year-old is an accomplished stage performer, having started her career in the theatre and tackled many Shakespearean roles over the years, notably playing Desdemona in 'Othello' opposite Sir Laurence Olivier in London in 1964. Smith hasn't been seen on stage since her 2007 turn in 'The Lady From Dubuque' at London's Theatre Royal Haymarket, and the actress now says she is too old to go back, reported Daily Star. "I feel I won't work in the theatre again. I'm sad about that. But I won't retire," she said. Smith insists she will continue working on film and TV projects such as period drama 'Downton Abbey', in which she plays ageing aristocrat, Violet. "I'll keep going with Violet and any other old biddy (role) that comes along... Logically, Violet must be about 100-and-something now, so I don't know how long she'll go on. There will be bathchairs and things they can push me around on. I think they'll have to kill her off."