Individual actors Books

Book SynopsisRob Lowe is a film and television actor and producer. He also is involved in politics. He lives with his wife and two sons in California.Trade ReviewA slick, seemingly confidential portrayal of a complex, charismatic actor * The Times *Engaging and revealing * Spectator *Compelling -- Mariella Frostrup * Observer *Fascinating... thoughtful... compelling * Heat *A lovely autobiography, equal parts dish and pathos * Vanity Fair *

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Book SynopsisHer Again is an intimate look at the artistic coming of age of the greatest actress of her generation, from the homecoming float at her suburban New Jersey high school to her star-making roles in The Deer Hunter, Manhattan, and Kramer vs. Kramer. Michael Schulman charts Meryl Streep's rise stardom on the New York stage, her passionate, tragically short-lived love affair with John Cazale, and her evolution as a young woman of the 1970s, wrestling with changing ideas of feminism, marriage, love, and sacrifice.

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Book Synopsis''Stephen Hough''s memoir had me gripped from the beginning . . . riveting and revelatory. Most memoirs give me far more than I want to know this is the rare sort that left me urgently demanding a second volume, a third, a fourth. I loved it.' Philip Pullman Stephen Hough is indisputably one of the world''s leading pianists, winning global acclaim and numerous awards.This memoir recounts his unconventional coming-of-age story, from his beginnings in an unmusical home in Cheshireto the main stage of Carnegie Hall in New York aged 21. We read of his early love-affair with the piano which curdled, after a teenage nervous breakdown, into failure at school and six-hours a day watching television, engulfed in dreams, seesawing between sexual and religious obsessions.We meet his supportive, if eccentric parents - his artistically frustrated father, his housework-hating mother. We read of the teachers who encouraged and inspired, and others who hit him on the head sc

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Book SynopsisThe eagerly anticipated follow-up to The Two Of Us, this is a moving, honest and charming account of life after JohnTrade Review'Heartbreakingly moving wise, funny and deeply touching' Daily Mail 'The thousands of people - many of them widows - will again find solace and comfort in what she has to tell them. But so will many others - those who warm to her gift for directly communicating the open-heartedness and spirit of adventure with which she confronts her life It is the stuff of bestsellers' Joan Bakewell, Guardian 'A bright, often witty account of a life moving forward. She tells her story with youthful vigour' Woman's Weekly 'Glorious' Paul O'Grady

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Book SynopsisStrong, feisty, brave and brilliant, Kathleen Turner is a woman to be reckoned with. One of the most revered actresses of her generation and beyond, she is a woman who goes after what she wants and gets it. In this memoir, she reveals her astonishing trajectory from struggling New York actress to household name a result of passionate ambition, powerful instinct and unwavering self-belief. From her first groundbreaking film, Body Heat, to her critically acclaimed performance in Who''s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, she has entranced audiences onstage and onscreen for three decades, whilst never failing in her commitment to the causes that she has supported throughout her life, and fighting an ongoing battle against the devastating pain of rheumatoid arthritis.Kathleen Turner is an unstoppable force of nature with a lesson for women everywhere: if you don''t believe in yourself, how can you expect anyone else to? Send yourself roses, and take the lead, lady!Trade Review'I challenge you to put it down for even one moment' * Antonia Quirke, The Sunday Times *'Gutsy, funny and inspirational' * Woman and Home *'Ballsy and bold' * Scotland on Sunday *'Remarkably good reading' * Independent *

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Book SynopsisThis book offers a wealth of resources, critical overviews and detailed analysis of Ivo van Hove's internationally acclaimed work as the foremost director of theatre, opera and musicals in our time. Stunning production photos capture the power of van Hove's directorial vision, his innovative use of theatrical spaces, and the arresting stage images that have made his productions so popular among audiences worldwide over the last 30 years. Van Hove's own contribution to the book, which includes a foreword, interview and his director's notes for some of his most popular shows, makes this book a unique resource for students, scholars and for his fans across the different art forms in which he works. An informative introduction provides an overview of van Hove's unique approach to directing, while five sections, individually curated by experts in the respective fields of Shakespeare, classical theatre, modern theatre, opera, musicals, film, and international festival curatorship, offer readTrade ReviewFascinating insights into the breadth, diversity, evolution, and significance of van Hove’s work. * Shakespeare Quarterly *The subtitle of Ivo van Hove: From Shakespeare to David Bowie suggests how widely [van Hove] has ranged to create theatre synthesizing realism and stylization to stimulate audiences into seeing classics of every kind with fresh eyes. And that subtitle doesn’t entirely capture the full range on display in this informative new collection assembled by theatre scholars Susan Bennett and Sonia Massai. * American Theatre *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Colour Plates Notes on Contributors Foreword, "My Life in Theatre" by Ivo van Hove Acknowledgements Introduction Section One: Directing the Classics Section Two: The Festival Performances of Ivo van Hove and Toneelgroep Amsterdam Section Three: American Theatre Section Four: Opera across Europe Section Five: Creation, Adaptation, Direction Selected Further Reading Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of The Right to Speak and The Need for Words comes this Bloomsbury Revelations edition of the essential guide to voice work: The Actor Speaks. Beginning with what every first-year acting student faces in class and ending with what leading professional actors must achieve every night on stage, Patsy Rodenburg's celebrated work as one of the world's foremost voice and acting coaches is fully revealed in this thoughtful and inspirational book about acting.Written for the training and working actor, Rodenburg's book brings to life a wide range of exercises and methods to release the actor's voice, covering everything from posture, breath and the body, performing in specific spaces, previews and first performances, managing different length runs, using microphones and dealing with an ageing or sick voice. This book allows the reader to perform every night, reaching the pitch, passion and vocal intensity that the best roles require.Trade ReviewSeven steps to a thespian heaven... The Actor Speaks is a stimulating read and an invaluable reference for all actors... A landmark book. * The Stage *I am an enormous fan of her work. What is wonderful about her is the directness and clarity of her teaching and her enthusiasm. * Judi Dench *What leaves actors tongue-tied for years, Patsy releases in minutes...through simple, practical actions that can empower anyone. * Simon McBurney *Patsy’s guidance and the clarity and directness of her approach have been invaluable to me. * Ralph Fiennes *Table of ContentsForeword by Judi Dench Introduction: Stories, Theatre, Actors Acknowledgements Stage One: The Actor First Speaks Stage Two: Extending the Voice into Resonance, Range and Speech Stage Three: Voice and Speech Meet Word and Text Stage Four: Voice and Text Meet the Rehearsal Stage Five: Voice, Text and Rehearsal Meet the Stage Stage Six: The Production Meets an Audience Stage Seven: Re-creating the Work Again and Again Index

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Book SynopsisExplores the story of one star of the Silver Screen's role in the Second World War.

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Book Synopsis''I''ve always been wilful... I''ve always been stubborn and always determined''One of our best-loved actresses, Celia Imrie would rather have been a dancer. As a child she planned to join the Royal Ballet and marry Rudolf Nureyev. Now she has become one of our finest and funniest performers, on stage, TV and screen - adored for her roles in Acorn Antiques and dinnerladies, as well as films including Calendar Girls and Nanny McPhee.In her hugely entertaining autobiography Celia Imrie recounts a life hurtling (not always intentionally) into adventures both on stage and off. Whether it''s finding herself on stage with half the scenery stuck to her cardigan, or being kidnapped on her way to location, somehow she emerges from the chaos unscathed.Acting, she admits, is a mad, chaotic profession and it is her refreshing honesty, sense of mischief, fun and almost unruffled determination in the face of it all that makes this autobiography a never-eTrade ReviewFor tasty gossip, Celia is the hottest ticket in town...The Happy Hoofer is backstage gossip from the premiere league. * Robert McCrum, Observer *From the moment where she finds herself on stage with scenery stuck to her cardigan, to the time she was kidnapped on her way to a location, she emerges with both her sense of humour and dignity in tact. * Good Housekeeping, Book of the Month *If you're anything like me, seeing Celia Imrie's name flash onscreen inspires a sigh of relief. I think, "Class act. Everything's going to be OK." Her memoir, The Happy Hoofer, is every bit as assured and entertaining. It's a lively romp populated by the entertainment world's great, good, and downright naughty (often Imrie). * Scotsman Magazine *Her new autobiography is full of drama... and obviously, from someone so closely associated with comedy, it's extremely funny * Gay Times *wildly entertaining * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisA memoir in essays in the bestselling tradition of Tina Fey's Bossypants and Caitlin Moran's How To Be a Woman.Trade ReviewThe funniest, smartest and frankest memoir I've ever read -- Doug Johnstone, Books of the Year 2014 * Herald *Required reading for all young women -- Best Books of 2014 * Huffington Post *A joy . . . [Poehler] has particularly smart advice on how to ignore the internal whispers that give rise to self-loathing; it should be piped into the girls' changing rooms at every secondary school -- Books of the Year 2014 * Evening Standard *[A] bristlingly intelligent, guffaw-out-loud memoir . . . Yes Please isn't a scan of the comedic brain so much as it is something far better-the full exposure of Poehler's funny and very magnanimous heart * Elle *Hilarious . . . wickedly funny and razor sharp * Observer *Yes Please is what happens if you take the wit of Saturday Night Live, sprinkle it with the warmth of Nora Ephron and marinade it in the spirit of the best, most empowering women's magazine . . . Poehler is that rare thing: wise without being bossy, smart without making you feel a bit stupid, funny without making you wince. And her book is like sitting in your kitchen with your best friend, drinking too much wine, laughing, crying and maybe doing embarrassing mum dancing * Harper’s Bazaar *Half memoir, half advice column, and 100 percent wisecracking, sharp-as-hell, belly-laugh-making Poehler * GQ *Funny, wise, earnest, honest, spiritually ambitious . . . a smart and funny woman who isn't either of those things all the time and doesn't mind admitting it because she thinks that's important * LA Times *[Amy Poehler] is simply one of the best things about the 21st century so far. . . one of this year's essential reads * Stylist *Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to the only book I care about these days: Yes Please by Amy Poehler. Amy Poehler is an American actor, comedian and writer. She is also a mighty force for good... I know you're sick of celebrity memoirs, you're sick of female celebrities talking about feminism, blah blah blah. Well, that's just fine because Poehler's book is so much more than that. Poehler is the only person in the world other than Nora Ephron who can be funny about divorce (and she is so funny about divorce), and she is definitely the only person in the world from whom I will accept sex tips (and her sex tips are great). But most of all, she's super smart -- Hadley Freeman * Guardian *As brilliant and hilarious and adorable as the woman herself * Marie Claire *Life advice, personal anecdotes and a touch of sex all beautifully handled by the warmest US comedy goddess... Actually adorable * Grazia *Our favourite agony aunt. . . Witty, real-life advice * Vogue *A part-memoir, part-manual mashup of inspirational career counsel and laugh-out-loud sex advice * Good Housekeeping *Anyone who loves Amy Poehler's biting comedic style will love the SNL star's autobiography. . . hilarious * Stylist *Poehler's first book of personal stories and advice, in the vein of Tina Fey's Bossypants and Mindy Kaling's Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?. . . One of America's most beloved comics and actresses * The Millions *

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Book Synopsis''Essential'' DAILY MAIL CELEBRITY BIOGRAPHIES OF THE YEAR''The book reads like it''s Bernard sitting down and telling a story'' Steve Wright, BBC Radio 2''A fitting celebration of one of our most versatile and enduring acting talents'' Sunday Express''A rollicking good read - charming, unassuming and full of amiable, homespun wit'' The OldieThe long-awaited autobiography of national treasure Bernard Cribbins.Bernard Cribbins''s life has been an eventful one. In 1943, he left school aged fourteen and joined Oldham Repertory Company where he earned fifteen bob for a seventy-hour week. After being called up for National Service in 1946 he became a paratrooper and spent several months in Palestine being shot at. On returning home, and to the theatre, Bernard was eventually approached by George Martin, then an A&R man for Parlophone Records, who suggested he made a record. Just months away frTrade ReviewThe wittiest, warmest celebrity memoir I can remember reading -- Jake Kerridge * Sunday Express *A rollicking good read - charming, unassuming and full of amiable, homespun wit * The Oldie *Cribbins is reliably fascinating. This book is an essential ramble around his life and times -- Roger Lewis * Daily Mail *A jaunty read, as jaunty as Cribbins is in person * The Times *The book reads like . . . it's Bernard sitting down and telling a story -- Steve Wright * BBC Radio 2 *It's written in a conversational style which is breezy without ever getting cloying. It's wonderful. It's almost as if it's just been transcribed -- Danny Baker * BBC Radio 5 Live *It's hard not to smile turning the pages of Bernard Who? * Trinity Mirror *In this chirpy memoir, the veteran actor looks back on 75 years in show business . . . Delightful reminiscences abound of an eclectic career . . . A fitting celebration of one of our most versatile and enduring acting talents * Sunday Express *Listening to Bernard Cribbins talk about his life is just like sitting in front of the telly on our mother's knee hearing him read a story for an episode of the BBC children's show, Jackanory. A master storyteller who feels like a great friend or a kindly uncle from the moment he opens his mouth . . . Bernard is full of memories and anecdotes from a jam-packed career * Yours *He's an all-rounder: a comic actor who can move you to tears; a shapeshifter who is always somehow Bernard Cribbins. If anyone else subtitled their autobiography '75 Years of Doing Just About Everything', it might seem like hubris but in Cribbins' case it looks like modesty . . . Now 89, he remains the voice of our childhood . . . he trots through his life's adventures with a candour and ease . . . He writes as he talks so you can "hear" his voice * Daily Express *Hugely enjoyable * The Weekly News *His matey memoirs achieve his self-proclaimed aim of capturing the feel of a natter and a pint down the pub with an old friend. A gentle, endearing read that is just the thing for a cosy, fireside read on a winter's afternoon * The Herald *Funny, charming and anecdote-filled memoir * Readers Digest *

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Book Synopsis''Wilder has created a gem of a novel with characters who unfold in complex and unexpected ways. The grounded Hollywood story utilizes a perfectly paced slow-burn romance, and at the end there''s a winking nod to the entire journey'' Library Journal ⭐ STARRED REVIEW ⭐Two co-stars with a complex history reunite to film the final season of a beloved paranormal drama in this tension-filled will they won''t they romance from the author of How to Fake It in Hollywood.................................Onscreen, they''re in love. Offscreen, they can''t stand each other. As the stars of a hit paranormal TV show, Lilah Hunter and Shane McCarthy spent years pining for each other onscreen . . . until Lilah ditched the show in the hopes of becoming a movie star. With no such luck, she''s back to film the much-hyped ninth and final season, in which Lilah and Shane''s characters will g

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Book SynopsisIn this entertaining and poignant autobiography, EastEnders star Sid Owen chronicles a life filled with incredible highs and devastating lows, with his trademark humour and charm. Sid Owen is best known for playing the hapless but loveable EastEnders character Ricky Butcher, one of Britain’s most enduring soap icons. What people don’t know is that Sid’s early life saw more drama than anything his character endured. His father was an armed robber who was sent to prison when Sid was very young. Sid went out 'on the rob' from an early age, breaking into shops and seeing it as a big adventure.Sid lived happily with his mum and siblings on a sprawling north London council estate until he was seven, when his mum died and the brothers were split up. Feeling confused, unloved and unhappy, Sid was heading towards a life of crime. Acting offered an escape from his troubled home life and his teen years played out between extremes – at thirteen he was working with Al Pacino and Donald Sutherland on the movie Revolution; at sixteen he was living in an Islington squat with his brothers when his work brought him to the attention of the EastEnders producers.From Rags to Ricky is Sid’s moving, unforgettable account of his north London childhood during the late 1970s and 80s. His natural storytelling skills, authentic voice, ear for dialogue and sharp eye for detail transform this story of loss and deprivation into a timeless tale of one individual’s struggle to defy the hand fate dealt him and come out winning.

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Book Synopsis*THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES & NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER*'A real gem of a book for comedy fans... honest, irreverent and fascinating' Matt Lucas'This book is a love letter to all his comedy heroes, full of warmth, heart and wit' Georgia PritchettIn this hilarious, heartfelt memoir, the star of Mr. Show and Breaking Bad spin off Better Call Saul opens up about the highs and lows of showbiz, his cult status as a comedy writer, and what it's like to reinvent himself at age fifty as an action-film ass-kicker. Featuring humorous tangents, never-before-seen photos, wild characters, and Bob's trademark unflinching drive and humour, Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama is a classic showbiz tale told by a determined idiot.'I can't think of another entertainer who has improbably morphed so many times and all through real genius and determination' Conan O'Brien

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Book SynopsisIrreverent, heartfelt, shocking and laugh-out-loud funny—a colorful celebration of the work of subversive auteur John Waters Known for pushing the boundaries of good taste, John Waters (born 1946) has created a canon of high-shock-value, high-entertainment movies that have cemented his position as one of the most revered and subversive auteurs in American independent cinema. Featuring misfit muses, tributes to his hometown of Baltimore and themes of fetish, obsession and celebrity culture, his renegade films—including Pink Flamingos (1972), Female Trouble (1974), Desperate Living (1977), Hairspray (1988), Serial Mom (1994) and A Dirty Shame (2004)—are irreverent, laugh-out-loud comedies that lovingly draw inspiration from William Castle, Herschell Gordon Lewis, Russ Meyer, Andy Warhol and Pier Paolo Pasolini alike. John Waters: Pope of Trash accompanies a landmark exhibition at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the first dedicated solely to Waters’ films. The book presents costumes, props, handwritten scripts, concept drawings, correspondence, promotional gimmicks, production photography and other original materials from all of the filmmaker’s features and shorts. Spotlighting many of his longtime collaborators, it also features a new interview with Waters and texts by curators Jenny He and Dara Jaffe, film historian Jeanine Basinger, film critic and cultural theorist B. Ruby Rich, and author-writer-producer David Simon that explore how Waters’ movies have redefined the possibilities of independent cinema.

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Book SynopsisRay Winstone's amazing talent for bringing out the humanity buried inside his often brutal screen characters - violent offender in Scum, wife-beater in Nil by Mouth, retired blagger in Sexy Beast - has made him one of the most charismatic actors of his generation. But how do these uncompromising and often haunting performances square with his off-duty reputation as the ultimate salt-of-the-earth diamond geezer? The answer lies in the East End of his youth. Revisiting the bomb-sites and boozers of his childhood and adolescence, Ray Winstone takes the reader on an unforgettable tour of a cockney heartland which is at once irresistibly mythic and undeniably real. Told with its author's trademark blend of brutal directness and roguish wit, Young Winstone offers a fascinating insight into the social history of East London, as well as a school of hard knocks coming-of-age story with a powerful emotional punch.Trade ReviewA gripping insight into his youth . . . For fans of his violent turns in Scum, Nil by Mouth or Sexy Beast, this is a perfect literary counterpart. For everyone else, it's an engaging portrait of a boy done good * * Telegraph * *Brilliant . . . Young Winstone is a must-read * * Shortlist * *As much about London as his nascent career. Ray made such an impression in Scum that I still remember his prison number, and he is just as vivid on his formative years, losing his virginity at 14 standing up by the mini-golf, and generally running riot around Mile End. There'll be another volume, I hope * * Independent on Sunday, Best books on film in 2014 * *Worth a read for anyone who enjoys Ray's cheeky charms * * Empire * *

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Book SynopsisStill only in his thirties, he has become one of Britain's great acting exports and has brought both the big and small screen to life for audiences around the world. First emerging on British television and stage - winning the Lawrence Olivier Award in 2008 and appearing in Othello opposite Ewan Macgregor - Hiddleston's breakthrough came when he was cast as Loki in the 2011 Thor film, and again in The Avengers (2012) and the 2013 blockbuster Thor: The Dark World , a role that cemented him as a star. He has since worked with legends of stage and screen, including Woody Allen and Steven Spielberg, and recently won a Golden Globe for his role in the BBC adaptation of John Le Carre's The Night Manager . In this book, Sarah Marshall traces Tom Hiddleston's career to date, from his early introduction to theatre as a child, through to his role at the heart of the blockbuster Marvel Universe and leaves few readers doubting the incredible talent of this modern star.

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Book Synopsis'Well-researched ... I was fascinated' Roger Lewis, Daily MailFrom its debut in 1962, Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? was a wild success and a cultural lightning rod. The play transpires over one long, boozy night, laying bare the lies, compromises, and scalding love that have sustained a middle-aged couple through decades of marriage. It scandalised critics but magnetised audiences. Then, Hollywood took a colossal gamble on Albee's sophisticated play and won. Co-starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, the sensational 1966 film won five Oscars. How this scorching play became a movie classic-surviving censorship attempts, its creators' inexperience, and its stars' own tumultuous marriage, is one of the most riveting stories in all of cinema. Acclaimed author Philip Gefter traces Woolf from its hushed origins in Greenwich Village, through its tormented production process, to its explosion onto scree

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Book SynopsisThe son of a deranged Italian immigrant, Joseph Grimaldi (1778-1837) was the most celebrated of English clowns. The first to use white-face make-up and wear outrageous coloured clothes, he completely transformed the role of the Clown in the pantomime with a look as iconic as Chaplin's tramp or Tommy Cooper's magician. One of the first celebrity comedians, his friends included Lord Byron and the actor Edmund Kean, and his memoirs were edited by the young Charles Dickens. But underneath the stage paint, Grimaldi struggled with depression and his life was blighted with tragedy. His first wife died in childbirth and his son would go on to drink himself to death. The outward joy and tomfoolery of his performances masked a dark and depressing personal life, and instituted the modern figure of the glum, brooding comedian. Joseph Grimaldi left an indelible mark on the English theatre and the performing arts, but his legacy is one of human struggle, battling demons and giving it his all in the face of adversity.Trade ReviewA wonderful book: beautiful, heartbreaking and absolutely fascinating -- Amanda Foreman * * author of The Duchess * *A round of applause is due to this exuberant, impassioned portrait, for bringing the great Grimaldi, 'Joey the Clown', into the limelight again -- Jenny Uglow * * Observer * *Grimaldi's is a story of comedy mixed with pathos, endurance with absurdity. It is exceptionally well told here -- Sam Leith * * Daily Mail * *This interesting and entertaining book gives a real insight into how much professional comedy has changed over the last 250 years, and how much it hasn't changed -- Frank SkinnerAlways vivacious and engaged, Stott's writing is earthed in research that gives resonance to the amplitude of detail he provides, tactfully tucking away documentation of sources in endnotes that are a pleasure in themselves -- Jennie Renton * * Sunday Herald * *A round of applause is due this exuberant portrait for bringing Grimaldi into the limelight again * * Observer New Review * *Splendid * * Sunday Telegraph * *Superb * * The Telegraph Review * *A dazzling yarn * * The Independent * *McConnell Stott's engaging book...presents a fantastic panorama of stage history, tracing how pantomime rose to be the most popular British art form at a time when the rest of Europe was convulsed by the Napoleonic wars * * The Sunday Times * *Full of wonderful descriptions of how this manic yet poignant clown beat off competition ... to be the "supreme comic being, part child, part nightmare" * * Guardian Review * *[A] great big Christmas pudding of a book, almost over-stuffed with rich and colourful life -- Simon Callow * * Guardian 'Book of the week' * *Fascinating, informative and compelling, this is essential reading for lovers of theatre and comedy * * Waterstones Book Quarterly * *As a portrait of London life in all its mutinous and anarchic variety this book would be hard to beat * * Spectator * *The biographer once did a comic turn himself and it animates his account. Stott doesn't just bring the man to painful life but his world as well * * Scottish Review of Books * *Sad though his decline was, his story, as McConnell Stott tells it, conveys an overwhelming impression of verve and ingenuity. . . [McConnell Stott] recounts these wonders with infectious brio -- John Carey * * The Sunday Times * *Rich in detail... [Stott] succeeds in evoking the London theatrical world of the time in all its riotous energy -- Patrick O'Connor * * Times Literary Supplement * *In this attractively written, well-illustrated and well-researched biography Andrew Stott brings this extraordinary genius vividly before us, in the process richly evoking the tumultuous life of the London theatre -- Michael Slater * * Literary Review * *Stott has had fun with this life * * Irish Times * *

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Book SynopsisThe classic manifesto on popular theatre by the founder of the 7:84 Theatre Companies. John McGrath's manifesto is as relevant today as it was when first published in 1981. Looking at the ways different classes take their entertainment, he puts the case for what theatre could be doing for the populace instead of walling itself up in subsidised fortresses for the well-to-do.Trade Review'The classic statement of the aims of the counter-theatre movement in this country' * Financial Times *'Ebullient, provocative and, above all, life-enhancing' -- Michael Billington

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Book SynopsisIn 2020, for the first time in centuries, heavy red curtains swept closed on stages across the West End; all theatres were closed. Two actors, keenly feeling the loss of their theatre homes, turned to a form of art that could still thrive over the following months, and set about photographing the stage doors of the deserted city. An extraordinary collaborative project almost two years in the making, Exeunt - The Stage Door Project collects together these moving images, alongside anecdotes from some of the world's leading luminaries who have trodden the boards of the pictured theatres. A tribute to the magical nature of the stage door and the tales lurking behind it, Exeunt is a celebration of the legendary theatres of the city, the extraordinary figures behind the curtain - and the faithful audiences who have flocked back after the storm. Proceeds from sales of this book go to the Actors' Benevolent Fund, ArtsMinds and Theatre Artists Fund Featuring the words of Dame Judi Dench, Emma Rice, Ned Seago, Simon Callow, John McCrea, Diane Page, Reece Shearsmith, Anita Dobson, Macy Nyman, David Bedella, Kwong Loke, Luke Giles, Stephanie Street, Dame Harriet Walter, Rebecca Frecknall, David Jonsson, Jackie Clune, Ben Cracknell, Richard Sutton, Adeyinka Akinrinade, Le Gateau Chocolat, Paule Constable, Lucian Msamati, Adrian Scarborough, David Acton, Natalie Law, Gordon Millar, Leanne Robinson, Thomas Aldridge, Katrina Lindsay, Eben Figueiredo, Andy Taylor, Aimie Atkinson, Jack Holden, Laura Donnelly, Laurie Kynaston, Abraham Popoola, Oengus MacNamara, Louis Maskell, Valda Aviks, Garry Cooper, Mark Dugdale, Lyn Paul, James Graham, Emma Sheppard, Paul Bazely, Preston Nyman, Lauren Ward, Jessica Hung Han Yun, Natalie McQueen, Gavin Spokes, Niamh Cusack, Paterson Joseph, Anna Fleischle, Daniel Monks, Michael Sheen, Lia Williams, Ruthie Henshall, Simon Lipkin, Tom Brooke, Ian Rickson, Rufus Hound, Zoe Tapper, Patsy Ferran, Joshua McGuire, Sharon D Clarke, Mark Gatiss, Taz Skylar, Marianne Benedict, Ferdinand Kingsley, Lez Brotherston, Tamsin Withers, Hadley Fraser, Karl Queensborough, Neil Salvage, Jessie Hart, Kathy Peacock, Howard Hudson, Jonathan Andrew Hume, Andy Nyman, Andrew McDonald, Claire Roberts, Michael Jibson, Jason Pennycooke, Christopher Tendai, Laura Baldwin, Matt Henry, Robert Lindsay, Simon Evans, Fisayo Akinade, Irvine Iqbal and Zoe Wanamaker.Table of ContentsIntroduction, Old Vic, Apollo, Novello, Playhouse, Shaftesbury, Apollo Victoria, Coliseum, Duke of York's, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Prince of Wales, National Theatre, Criterion, Fortune, Peacock, Palace, Shakespeare's Globe, Gillian Lynne, Gielgud, Trafalgar, Palladium, Phoenix, St. Martin's, Ambassadors, Savoy, Aldwych, Donmar Warehouse, Harold Pinter, Noel Coward, Royal Court, Theatre Royal Haymarket, Dominion, Piccadilly, Her Majesty's, Cambridge, Vaudeville, Garrick, Lyceum, Sondheim, Royal Opera House, Wyndham's, Lyric, Victoria Palace, Adelphi, Duchess, Prince Edward, The Bridge, Index, Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisFrom multi-hyphenate mogul and host of The Breakfast Club and Comedy Central's Tha God's Honest Truth, Charlamagne Tha God, real talk on the many ways in which we've screwed up our world, and what we need to do to climb our way back.

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Book SynopsisAlan Strachan is a theatre director. In London's West End he has directed over thirty productions, and has also worked in regional theatre as well as in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Dublin and New York often with leading actors and on plays ranging from Shakespeare, Shaw and Tennessee Williams to Alan Ayckbourn and Tom Stoppard. He is the author of Secret Dreams: A Biography of Michael Redgrave and Putting It On: The West End Theatre of Michael Codron.Trade ReviewWhat makes this account of a familiar story outstanding is that Strachan wins the reader’s trust ... As an experienced man of the theatre, he suggests, qualifies and adds interesting views of his own. * The Spectator *[Vivien Leigh’s] life, lived to the full at every second, will never be better told than it is in these pages. * The Sunday Times *A gripping new biography. * The Daily Mail *Strachan’s meticulously researched, elegantly written volume is an eye-opener. Strachan’s attention to detail is striking ... a valuable, authoritative record that supports [Leigh's] status as a great stage and screen actress. * Daily Herald, Chicago *This is a well-written biography of a much-loved star. Strachan achieves that rare thing of exposing his subject whilst maintaining their integrity. Leigh, who was fiercely private, would have been proud of this book. * The Lady *Alan Strachan does a fine job in reasserting [Vivien Leigh’s] status, not merely re-examining her stage work, but also becoming the first biographer to give due attention to the underrated films she made. * Country Life *Reading this book is like meeting Vivien Leigh in her glory and her despair. One of the most revealing showbiz biographies ever. -- Sir Ian McKellenThis is an enthralling book. It enthrals you by its meticulous research, its lucid language and its depiction of a Legend and a World that do not exist anymore. Alas. -- Michael CodronA wonderful tribute to a great actress and a fascinating insight into her troubled life and the machinations of the West End theatre during the middle of the twentieth century. Unputdownable. -- Dame Penelope Keith DBE, DLImpeccable research into this fascinating actress make Dark Star a page turner. The reader is as desperate to see past her ravishing beauty to the tender, tortured woman beneath as is the author. -- Maureen LipmanThree cheers for this. Alan Strachan’s long overdue perceptive insight into one of the most fascinating, complex, troubled and talented actors of her time. -- Alan AyckbournTable of ContentsList of Plates Acknowledgements Prologue 1. A Child of the Raj 2. Hours Nearer Death 3. Young Wife and Mother 4. Enter Olivier 5. Altered States 6. Printing a Legend 7. Star-Crossed 8. Wartime Dramas 9. From Sabina to Anna 10. Down Under 11. The Kindness of Strangers 12. Two on the Nile 13. Crack-Up 14. Avonside 15. At Court 16. Ending A Legend 17. Worlds Elsewhere 18. Last Acts Epilogue Appendix Facts/“False Facts” Notes on Sources Select Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe long-awaited memoir by movie and theatre legend, Brian Cox.A Guardian, Times, Sunday Times and Independent Book of the Year*Featuring a foreword by the executive producer of Succession, Frank Rich*From Titus Andronicus with the RSC to media magnate Logan Roy in HBO's Succession, Brian Cox has made his name as an actor of unparalleled distinction and versatility. We know him on screen, but few know of his extraordinary life story.Growing up in Dundee, Scotland, Cox lost his father when he was just eight years old and was brought up by his three elder sisters in the aftermath of his mother's nervous breakdowns and ultimate hospitalization. After joining the Dundee Repertory Theatre at the age of fifteen, you could say the rest is history - but that is to overlook the enormous graft that has gone into the making of the legend we know today. This is a rags-to-riches life story like no other - a seminal autobiography that both captures Cox's distinctive voice and his very soul.'One of the best showbiz memoirs ever written... it's as funny as it is furious... Brian Cox has done everything and with this book he leaves everyone else standing' Mail on Sunday'Absolute heaven' Sunday Times'A hugely readable memoir from a giant of stage and screen' Mark Kermode'A life well lived and a story well told. From first page to last Brian Cox the great actor is Brian Cox the great storyteller, and nobody is spared his sharp eye and his caustic wit, himself and some big Hollywood names included' Alastair Campbell'Laced with his characteristic generosity, self-deprecation and cut-the-crap wisdom' Harriet Walter'Mesmerizing' Peter Biskind'Blisteringly brilliant' Bryony Gordon'Funny and irreverent' The TimesTrade ReviewA hugely readable memoir from a giant of stage and screen * Mark Kermode *A life well lived and a story well told. From first page to last Brian Cox the great actor is Brian Cox the great storyteller, and nobody is spared his sharp eye and his caustic wit, himself and some big Hollywood names included. He is brutally honest about who and what he likes and doesn't like, and honest too about his own failings. But what shines through every page is a man who loves being an actor and who has a deep understanding of why culture, and especially theatre and film, really matter. * Alastair Campbell *Rage and vulnerability, loss and passion, self-doubt, triumphs and laughs. Brian Cox's memoir brings to mind the Blake poem "What is the price of experience ? Do men buy it for a song? Or wisdom for a dance in the street? No, it is bought with the price of all that a man hath: his wife, his house his children'." What a treat and privilege to be invited in. I've never read a book that conveys the joy, grace and pain of the journey of being an actor and a human more honestly and with such straightforward blistering charm. * Kate Beckinsale *It is much more than a rabbit Mr. Cox pulls out of his hat. In this candid vision of his life it is revealed how it is he is able so convincingly, authentically and uniquely to play such an abundance of characters. All of them different, all of them real, all of them him. * Hampton Fancher *Brian Cox is not only one of the greatest actors of his generation, he is a gentleman among men. Kind, wise, funny and intense in the best ways possible, Brian is also a wonderful tale teller as this book proves. It is an honor to call him a friend and I'm so proud of him. What a life well lived. * Ryan Murphy *Wonderfully honest, touching and funny. * Gemma Jones *There has always been a coiled spring energy to Brian's acting and, now in his 70s, he has lost none of it. This book is like listening to him talk, switching from anecdote to diatribe to honest self-reflection and back to his original story before he interrupted himself. The effect is of undiminished curiosity and passion for life and work. All his observations are laced with his characteristic generosity, self-deprecation and cut-the-crap wisdom * Harriet Walter *[It] grips from the beginning - a witty prologue about the preposterousness of Steven Segal - and is the sort of riveting, candid read you might expect from the illustrious Succession actor * Martin Chilton, Independent *Simply a delight, so much so that it's tempting to consume it in one sitting [...] mesmerizing * Peter Biskind *An insightful look into his extraordinary life and career - which sees no signs of slowing down * Radio Times *Blisteringly brilliant * Daily Telegraph *A splendid memoir [and] a deeply intelligent exploration of his chosen profession, its joyous rewards and its mind-scratching demands... Throughout, his honesty is disarming * Tortoise *A tale like no other, it's a seminal autobiography * Edinburgh Evening News *Clever, perceptive ... brilliant * The Times *One of the best showbiz memoirs ever written... it's as funny as it is furious... Brian Cox has done everything and with this book he leaves everyone else standing * Mail on Sunday *Cox's book is digressive and gossipy, as all celebrity biographies should be. It's also very funny, and as salty as you would expect from the man who has conclusively proved that there are at least 50 different ways of saying f*** off * Irish Independent *The iconic Scottish actor traces his life story from his childhood in Dundee to his extraordinary career on both screen and stage * Scots Magazine *It's a book full of wonderful stories and huge insight into the whole business of acting and the workings of the human soul... absolute heaven * Sunday Times *Cox writes beautifully... Putting the Rabbit in the Hat is a rare and brilliant thing: an honest, genuinely funny and moving memoir from a star who has a real story to tell * Sunday Business Post *His writing is as compelling as any of his memorable performances * The Lady *Few memoirs are as punchy and funny * Independent *A picaresque odyssey ... opinionated, forthright and sometimes self-lacerating, it's a pungent, engrossing read * Total Film *Wildly enjoyable * Evening Standard *Amusingly irreverent * Guardian *I loved it. It was so refreshing to read a biography where the author was so incredibly up-front and honest * Sunday Post *The actor best known as Succession's Logan Roy reads his irreverent memoir charting a long career on stage and screen * Guardian *One of the funniest, most rip-roaring, irreverent and candid showbusiness memoirs of last year * The Times *

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Book Synopsis‘Many of you know that I am a martial artist by choice, an actor by profession, and, by daily actualizing my potentiality through soulful discoveries and daily exercising, I hope to become also an artist of life.’ - Bruce Lee''I venture that 95% of people have heard of Bruce Lee. They might not know everything about him, but they know his name. Isn’t that just incredible? And what excites me about this book is that it’s an opportunity for the reader to have a better understanding of why you continue to know his name.'' - Shannon Lee‘Bruce draws you in with his martial strength and prowess, fascinates you with his aggression and superlative masculinity, and then you go deeper and learn about his philosophy, his depth as a thinker and a scientist, and that really hooks you.’ - Ang Lee‘

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Book Synopsis ''Wise, funny'' Daily Mail ''Chatty and engaging . . . he often comes across as endearingly humble'' Sunday Times''Thoroughly engaging'' Sunday Express magazine''Fabulous storytelling'' PrimaOne of ''the top 25 most compelling Hollywood autobiographies'' -GuardianHollywood legend and British national treasure Sir Michael Caine shares the wisdom, stories, insight and skills that life has taught him in his remarkable career - and now his 85th year.One of our best-loved actors Michael Caine has starred in a huge range of films - including all-time favourites - from the classic British movies Alfie, Zulu and The Italian Job to the Hollywood blockbusting Dark Knight trilogy, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Hannah and Her Sisters and Cider House Rules. Caine has excelled in every kind of role - with a skill that''s made it look easy. He knows what su

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Book SynopsisA behind-the-scenes, in-depth look at the making of one of the greatest sonic masterpieces and most commercially successful albums of all time.Over three decades after its release, Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon' remains one of the most acclaimed albums of all time. Its sales total around 30 million copies worldwide. In its first run, it took up residence in the US charts for a mind-boggling 724 weeks. According to recent estimates, one in five British households owns a copy.This, however, is only a fraction of the story. Dark Side' is rock's most fully realised and elegant concept album, based on themes of madness, anxiety and alienation that were rooted in the band's history and particularly in the tragic tale of their one time leader Syd Barrett.Drawing on original interviews with bass guitarist and chief songwriter Roger Waters, guitarist David Gilmour, and the album's supporting cast ,The Dark Side of the Moon' is a must-have for the millions of devoted fans who desire tTrade ReviewPraise for ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’: ‘A fascinating read.’ Observer 'John Harris's account of the making of the Floyd's 35 million-selling concept album, "The Dark Side of the Moon", has come along at just the right time … Harris's book is good enough to make me want to sit down and, for the first time, give "The Dark Side of the Moon" a proper, prejudice-free listen.' New Statesman ‘[A] clear-sighted examination of Floyd’s famous epic … Harris’ admirably concise study sidesteps the usual mythologising to provide a detailed and coherent retelling of how “The Dark Side” … came into being. ****’ Q Magazine

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Book Synopsis''As brutal, withering and funny as you''d expect'' Julian Clary''A rollicking read, packed with wit and old-school glamour'' Sunday Telegraph''Fabulously entertaining, impossibly glamorous and utterly irresistible'' Piers Morgan''Packed with insight and fun'' Red***A keen diarist from the age of twelve, Joan Collins is finally spilling the beans - well, nearly all of them. Taking us on a dazzling tour around the globe - from exclusive restaurants in Los Angeles to the glittering beaches of St Tropez, from dinner parties in London to galas in New York City - some of the characters you will meet in these pages include Rod Stewart, Princess Margaret, Donald Trump, Michael Caine, Princess Diana, Elizabeth Taylor, Rupert Everett, Roger Moore, Shirley MacLaine, Andrew Lloyd Webber and many more. Her diaries are intimate and witty, and they pull no punches, with NO apologies to anyone mentioned in them!Trade ReviewOutrageously wonderful . . . hilarious . . . it is nice to read a book where someone truly enjoys being themselves. She has promised us 'unapologetic' but woo-eee, it is savage. -- Camilla Long * The Sunday Times *These diaries are like their author - fabulously entertaining, impossibly glamorous, and utterly irresistible -- Piers MorganEven with a life as packed as this, can there be anything left to say? Plenty, it turns out, and with great style and an enormous dash of acid. This is a book to read while sipping a stiff drink, ideally with a gorgeous companion on hand to whom you can read out the choicest bits. She puts on a hell of a show * The Times *A fascinating glimpse into a fabulous life. Dame Joan's private thoughts are as brutal, withering and funny as you'd expect -- Julian ClaryThe inimitable Dame Joan shares her views on the world and her showbiz chums without deference to political correctness * Daily Telegraph *From encounters with the Royal Family to experiences at star-studded parties, this is a book packed with insight and fun * Red *A wonderfully rich and mesmerising diary. Full of insight and revelation -- William BoydThese diary entries are brilliantly candid, with name-dropping aplenty. A rollicking read, packed with wit and old-school glamour * Sunday Telegraph - Stella Magazine *Unapologetic to say the least. Alexis Carrington hasn't got anything on Dame Joan -- Tracey Emin CBE RACombative and gloriously indiscreet, Dame Joan Collins leaves a trail of walking wounded in her wake with her waspish observations of Hollywood, theatre-land and monarchy. It's why she is showbusiness royalty -- Andrew PierceWhat a treat to delve into Joan Collins's diaries; a treat from start to finish -- Elizabeth Hurley

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Book SynopsisThe remarkable true story of a young immigrant from Venezuela who had a dream to change the world, a talent for entertaining, and a determined spirit to build a new life, taking as many as possible with him on the journey.An American Story is the stirring memoir by actor, producer, and activist Wilmer Valderrama, delving into his upbringing in Venezuela where he was raised by two hard working parents as they navigated their family through a rapidly changing country and the rise of Hugo Chavez. With the economy crashing around them and their livelihood disappearing, the family decides to flee the country. Suddenly, the young boy who had loved riding his horse and dreaming of being Zorro from his favorite black and white tv show had to grow up quickly, journeying as a teenager from a tiny little pueblo in Venezuela to the big city of Los Angeles.After being cast in a school theatre production, Valderrama knew he had found his calling, and b

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Book SynopsisIn this revised and updated biography, Maureen Paton encompasses the private, professional and political life of this most enigmatic, charismatic and intensely private of actors.Trade Review'An illuminating profile' Premiere

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Book SynopsisSarah Silverman''s father taught her to curse-at the age of three. She was a chronic bedwetter-until she was old enough to drive. She lost her virginity at age 19-but didn''t really know it. These are just a few of the outrageous true tales that Silverman shares in her alternately hilarious and moving collection of autobiographical essays. With her signature taboo-breaking humour, Silverman writes on everything from her epic struggle with hairy arms (there wasn''t enough wax in the world) to the death of her infant brother (It was Nana''s fault) and always leaves the reader with a smile. Mixed in among the essays are scores of embarrassing photos, mortifying childhood diary entries, and truly humiliating e-mails to and from her comedian friends.

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Book SynopsisArden Performance Editions are ideal for anyone engaging with a Shakespeare play in performance. With clear facing-page notes giving definitions of words, easily accessible information about key textual variants, lineation, metrical ambiguities and pronunciation, each edition has been developed to open the play's possibilities and meanings to actors and students.Designed to be used and to be useful, each edition has plenty of space for personal annotations and the well-spaced text is easy to read and to navigate.Trade ReviewPerformance Editions provide the basis for fascinating discussions about where different communities locate the quintessence of Shakespeare and early modern drama. * Studies in English Literature 1500 - 1900 *These editions are likely to help not only actors and drama students but also all amateur Shakespeareans including schools and colleges which stage the plays … What genius to have Simon Russell Beale as a series editor along with two Shakespeare Institute academics, Michael Dobson and Abigail Rokison-Woodall. * Ink Pellet *Table of ContentsIntroduction; Much Ado About Nothing; Longer Notes

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Book SynopsisMartin Clunes has been a familiar face on British television for almost two decades. During that period he has starred in some of the best-loved shows of modern times, including Doc Martin, William and Mary, and of course he phenomenally successful Men Behaving Badly. He was introduced to acting at a young age. His father, a successful actor and theatre manager who gave Peter Ustinov his first break, tragically died of cancer in 1970, leaving his wife Daphne, their daughter Amanda, and 8-year-old Martin. Years later, it was Daphne's cousin, Jeremy Brett - the actor famous for playing Sherlock Holmes - who encouraged Martin to take up acting professionally. Martin worked regularly through the 1980s, but when he was spotted by comedian Harry Enfield and subsequently made regular appearances in his popular sketch shows, he was catapulted into the big time. After landing the role of Gary in Men Behabving Badly, he has gone from strengh to strength. Never one to be pigeonholed, Martin has played a broad range of roles, including a serial killer in A is for Acid anb Burbage n the Oscar winning film Shakespeare in Love. More recently, he has also presented two of the most popular documentaries on television: Islands of Britain and Martin Clunes: A Man and His Dogs.

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Book SynopsisThe first illustrated series to analyse the craft of exceptional actors

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Book SynopsisA definitive new account of the professional and personal life of one of Hollywood''s most unforgettable, influential stars.Archie Leach was a poorly educated, working-class boy from a troubled family living in the backstreets of Bristol. Cary Grant was Hollywood''s most debonair film star--the embodiment of worldly sophistication. Cary Grant: The Making of a Hollywood Legend tells the incredible story of how a sad, neglected boy became the suave, glamorous star many know and idolize. The first biography to be based on Grant''s own personal papers, this book takes us on a fascinating journey from the actor''s difficult childhood through years of struggle in music halls and vaudeville, a hit-and-miss career in Broadway musicals, and three decades of film stardom during Hollywood''s golden age. Leaving no stone unturned, Cary Grant delves into all aspects of Grant''s life, from the bitter realities of his impoverished childhood to his trailblazing role in Hollywood as a film star who defied the studio system and took control of his own career. Highlighting Grant''s genius as an actor and a filmmaker, author Mark Glancy examines the crucial contributions Grant made to such classic films as Bringing Up Baby (1938), The Philadelphia Story (1940), Notorious (1946), An Affair to Remember (1957), North by Northwest (1959), Charade (1963) and Father Goose (1964). Glancy also explores Grant''s private life with new candor and insight throughout the book''s nine sections, illuminating how Grant''s search for happiness and fulfillment lead him to having his first child at the age of 62 and embarking on his fifth marriage at the age of 77. With this biography--complete with a chronological filmography of the actor''s work--Glancy provides a definitive account of the professional and personal life of one of Hollywood''s most unforgettable, influential stars.Trade ReviewScrupulously researched... Interweaving Grant's personal life with his career, Glancy provides the kind of detailed production histories and nuanced close readings of Grant's performances that will appeal to die-hard Cary Grant fans and film studies academics alike. * Charlotte Crofts, Open Screens *The volume is well indexed and the text fully supported by endnotes and a generous bibliography... Glancy's account is full, readable and scholarly. * John Stevens, Transactions *As a star biography it sets new standards of scholarship... It will become a definitive account of Grant, providing a judiciously balanced and peceptive evaluation of his intervowen personal and professional life, elucidated in pellucid prose whose elegance mirrors its subject. * Andrew Spicer, Archives *Glancy's account is full, readable and scholarly and it is confidently predicted that this particular quarry is now closed. * Josh Stevens, Bristol & Gloucestershire Archaeological Society *Offering glimpses of Grant both inside and outside of studio walls, Glancy succeeds in culling together a cohesive book based upon Grant's personal papers ...if the reader is not familiar with the breath of Grant's filmography, Glancy's book steps in as a guide through Grant's many works. * Annette Bochenek, Hometowns to Hollywood *The definitive biography: forensic, myth-busting, and psychologically fine-tuned. Both a well-written work of scholarship and an entertaining ride through the life and work of one of Hollywood's most fascinating stars. * Mark Kidel, filmmaker and writer *Mark Glancy's detailed biography carefully pieces together the actor's early life, from the day-dreaming teenager's expulsion at school to his life in music hall and his early struggles in New York... before his cinema stardom... a first-rate study of a star of cinemas golden age. * Martin Chilton, Independent *[an] exemplary biography * David Thomson, London Review of Books *Cary Grant has been the subject of so much gossip over the years so it is pleasant to read a book that takes an unsensational look at a Hollywood great. * Paul Donnelley, Daily Express *Glancy's years of research reveal themselves not just in the exceptionally detailed retelling of the Grant story, but in the scrupulous examination of conflicting sources... first-rate biography * Pamela Hutchinson, Sight & Sound *No other Grant biography has probed beneath the actor's tuxedo elegance with the urgency, critical acumen and basic common sense that are on display in Cary Grant: The Making of a Hollywood Legend. It's exceptional book. * Tom Ryan, Senses of Cinema *In contrast to typical celebrity biographies which take the tone of a gossipy exposé, Glancy's book feels balanced, well-researched... The author treats his subject with polite respect and admiration. * Lani Gonzalez, Book and Film Globe *It's a good, thorough read and may hint at a change in the winds of how we look at this famously private, famously gorgeous and underrated movie star. * Roger Moore, Movie Nation *Glancy is a good writer and storyteller... [his] approach is measured and illuminating. * Tom Ryan, The Australian *an exceedingly well-researched book... riveting throughout... This is certainly one of the best books about the golden era of Hollywood that I have ever read, and I recommend it to anyone interested in films. * Mel Cooper, Plays to See *By contrast with some of his predecessors, Glancy does a superb job of shining light on as much of Grant's life as can be understood without bogging down in unnecessary detail. * Dave Luhrssen, Shepherd Express *A solid biography * David Pitt, Booklist *A thorough and thoughtful biography... An excellent portrait that emphasizes the man more than the movie star. * Peter Thornell, Library Journal *Mark Glancy has given the beloved star a deservedly respectful treatment. He offers a detailed and interesting biography which does not shy away from the controversies in Grant's life. However, the information is presented in a factual, non-salacious manner that is very readable. * Booked Solid with Virginia C *Most biographies of Hollywood Slebs are usually hagiographies or a collection of salacious stories... So it was with relief that I found Glancy's book does not fall into this trap but takes time to explore and research Cary Grant as a serious subject for a biographer... I so enjoyed reading this book and found it totally absorbing. Mark Glancy goes into detail about Cary's acting and role in all of his films, leaving nothing out and so the reader can appreciate and follow his film career alongside his personal life. * Elaine Simpson-Long, Random Jottings *Table of ContentsPreface Part One: Archie Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Part Two: Tumbler Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Part Three: Matinee Idol Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Part Four: Cary Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Part Five: American Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Part Six: Movie-Made Man Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Part Seven: Truth Seeker Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Part Eight: Survivor Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Part Nine: Legend Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Sources Notes Filmography

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Book SynopsisWe jumped in at the deep end and bought a farm! A reluctant wife, a couple of crazy kids and a husband whose knowledge of farming you could write on the back of a stamp What could go wrong?!' KelvinExactly! And the journey has only just begun' LizJoin the Fletchers as they navigate the peaks and troughs of life on a lively farm.When Kelvin and Liz Fletcher left their happy home in Oldham for a 120-acre farm in the Peak District, they were totally unaware of the surprises that lay in store. Come along for the ride as they navigate the Mishaps, like shearing sheep in a way that costs more than the price for the wool; the Lessons, such as never turn your back on a flock of sheep or, put simply, always close the gate!' and the Adventures, going from self-professed townies' to farmhands overnight.In Fletchers on the Farm, childhood sweethearts Kelvin and Liz reflect on their history, their future and their daily balancing act of juggling acting careers, four young children and a farmyar

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Book SynopsisIn September 1998, Michael J. Fox stunned the world by announcing that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson''s disease - in fact, he had been secretly fighting it for seven years. In this candid book, with his trademark ironic sensibility and sense of the absurd, he tells his life story - from his childhood in western Canada to his meteoric rise in film and television and, most importantly, the years in which - with the unswerving support of his wife, family and friends - he has dealt with his illness. He talks about what Parkinson''s has given him: the chance to appreciate a wonderful life and career, and the opportunity to help search for a cure and spread public awareness of the disease. He feels as if he is a very lucky man indeed.Trade ReviewAn enthralling story, told with verve and dexterity * Sunday Times *Don't miss this compelling and witty tale of the actor's 11 year fight with Parkinson's disease. An intelligent, poignant and funny read * Woman's Own *A poignant story, well worth reading * OK *Well-written and insightful ... a rare, unmissable memoir * Heat *Real power … compelling reading … his book often has the intensity of a thriller -- Craig Brown * Mail on Sunday *

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Book Synopsis''At the turn from our bedroom into the hallway, there is an old full-length mirror in a wooden frame ... This reflected version of myself, shaking, rumpled, pinched and slightly stooped, would be alarming were it not for the self-satisfied expression pasted across my face. I would ask the obvious question, What are you smiling about? but I already know the answer: It just gets better from here.''Struck with Parkinson''s - a debilitating, degenerative disease - at the height of his fame, Michael J. Fox has taken what some might consider cause for depression and turned it into a beacon of hope for millions. In Always Looking Up, Michael''s Sunday Times bestselling memoir, he writes with warmth, humour and incredible honesty about the journey he has undertaken since he came to terms with his condition.Trade ReviewWell-written, unfailingly cheery and warm-hearted and ... truly gripping * Daily Mail *The book is funny, beautiful, informative and poignant. Read it * Sunday Express *

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Book SynopsisJane Fonda is an Oscar- and Emmy-winning actress and highly successful producer. She revolutionised the fitness industry with the Jane Fonda Workout in 1982 and has sold more than 17 million copies of her fitness-focused books, videos and recordings. She is an active advocate on environmental issues, human rights and the empowerment of women, and is the founder of both the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention and the Jane Fonda Center at Emory University. She is the author of the bestselling My Life So Far.Trade ReviewWarm, informative and incredibly life-affirming * You magazine *Delves into the very heart of later life * Saga magazine *What makes it so readable is her advice comes filtered through her personal experience * Harper's BAZAAR *

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