I was quite a shy child. I would get terribly nervous and throw up before my birthday party. And then I would be fine. I feel the same now. I get nervous, then it’s fine.

Macfadyen links childhood shyness to adult performance anxiety, describing a familiar cycle: anticipatory dread that peaks before a social or public event, followed by relief once the event begins. The vivid detail of becoming physically sick underscores how anxiety can manifest somatically, not just emotionally. By adding “And then I would be fine” and “I feel the same now,” he normalizes nervousness as a recurring, manageable condition rather than a personal failing. The quote also suggests a practical truth about stage and screen work: the fear often belongs to the lead‑up, while the act of doing—entering the room, stepping on set—can dissolve it.