Individual actors Books

Book SynopsisMurders, suicides, unexplained deaths, scandalous romances, illegitimate children, cover-ups, and more, from the 1920s to Hollywood''s Golden Age in the 1960s and right up to the present day.It covers over 60 scandals including: The Roscoe ''Fatty'' Arbuckle Scandal; Clark Gable''s Baby Scandals; The Rape of Patricia Douglas; The Life and Death of Jean Harlow; The Sudden Death of James Dean; Marilyn Monroe''s Mysterious Death; John Belushi Dies at the Chateau Marmont; Madonna''s Hollywood Stalker; Hugh Grant''s Hollywood Scandal; Winona Ryder Is Arrested For Shoplifting; The Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie Love Triangle; The Tragic Life and Death of Anna Nicole Smith; The Life and Death of Michael Jackson; Arnold Schwarzenegger''s Love Child; The Very Public Melt-Down of Charlie Sheen; The Rise and Fall of Whitney Houston; The Marriage of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes and many, many more.

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Book SynopsisThe instant New York Times bestseller.Winner of 'Humour' – Goodreads Choice Awards, Best Books of 2023.Henry Winkler, launched into prominence by his role as 'The Fonz' in the beloved Happy Days, has transcended the role that made him who he is.Brilliant, funny, and widely-regarded as the nicest man in Hollywood (though he would be the first to tell you that it’s simply not the case, he’s really just grateful to be here), Henry shares in this achingly vulnerable memoir the disheartening truth of his childhood, the difficulties of a life with severe dyslexia, the pressures of a role that takes on a life of its own, and the path forward once your wildest dream seems behind you.Since the glorious era of Happy Days fame, Henry has endeared himself to a new generation with roles in such adored shows as Arrested Development, Parks and Recreation, and Barry, where he’s reveaTrade ReviewSmart and entertaining -- New York TimesYou want to brew him some tea, pat his arm. His tender memoir isn’t explicitly dishy. It’s an excavation of his challenges, pain and neuroses -- The Washington PostSharing memorable and funny behind-the-scenes moments, Being Henry entertains as an introspective, self-deprecating, and quite moving memoir from a versatile actor . . . The many, many fans Winkler has gathered over his 50 years in Hollywood won't be disappointed by this charming memoir -- BooklistThis charming autobiography of personal struggles during times of career success and challenge deserves a big thumbs-up -- Kirkus[An] inspirational story of one of Hollywood’s most beloved figures who became an unlikely TV screen icon and later a champion for those with dyslexia -- Associated Press

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Book SynopsisWhether it is the seaside postcard bubbly blondes of Barbara Windsor, the hysterically historical leading ladies of Joan Sims, the coquettish authoritarians of Hattie Jacques, or the statuesque confidence of Valerie Leon, the Carry On girls are stoic, sexy and fiercely independent.In this lavish celebration of a pioneering generation of comedy actresses who continue to radiate charm and contemporary relevance, a few home truths are revealed and some myths are debunked; but, above all, some of the best-loved icons of British entertainment are given fitting affection and respect.Trade ReviewFive of the female stars of the Carry On movies have reunite to relive their glory days on the set of pictures famed for their innuendo-laden gags and bawdy slapstick humour - The Sunday Mirror * The Sunday Mirror *

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Book SynopsisAn exclusive look behind the scenes of the Academy Awards as top stars and filmmakers discuss their Oscar wins and tell never-before-told tales of Hollywood''s biggest night, in a collection of original interviews with Turner Classic Movies host and entertainment media journalist Dave Karger. For almost a century, movie fans have been riveted by the Academy Awards and the stars who have won Oscars. 50 Oscar Nights takes readers behind the scenes of Hollywood?s most storied awards show through new and exclusive interviews with dozens of A-list actors, filmmakers, and craftspeople spanning sixty years of the Oscars. Here these artists reflect on their winning work and recount all the details of how they got ready, how they felt when they heard their name and got up on stage to accept their award, what they wore, how the entire experience impacted their life, and more. Some interviews bring to light fun stories like why Hilary Swank decided to celebrate her Academy Award at the Astro Burger in West Hollywood, or insight into the work as Elton John explains why he was convinced he won his Best Original Song award for the wrong tune. Other interviews illuminate why for some honorees, such as Julia Roberts, John Legend, and Octavia Spencer, the day remains a life highlight to be treasured, while for Marlee Matlin, Mira Sorvino, and Barry Jenkins, complex emotions cloud what most think would be a purely celebratory moment. Filled with more than 150 photos of red-carpet moments, emotional acceptances, and after-party play, 50 Oscar Nights is both a stunning record of cinema glamour and a must-read for any movie lover. Full list of interviewees: Nicole Kidman, Elton John, Jennifer Hudson, Steven Spielberg, Jane Fonda, Barry Jenkins, Halle Berry, J. K. Simmons, Julia Roberts, John Legend, Rita Moreno, Martin Scorsese, Marlee Matlin, Dustin Hoffman, Hannah Beachler, Cameron Crowe, Mira Sorvino, Kevin O?Connell, Sally Field, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Eddie Redmayne, Lee Grant, Louis Gossett Jr., Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, Jessica Yu, Michael Douglas, Catherine Martin, Francis Ford Coppola, Allison Janney, Mel Brooks, Emma Thompson, Peter Jackson, Marcia Gay Harden, Mark Bridges, Sofia Coppola, Joel Grey, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, Olivia Colman, Rob Epstein, Whoopi Goldberg, Alan Menken, Melissa Etheridge, Sissy Spacek, Keith Carradine, Estelle Parsons, Geoffrey Fletcher, Octavia Spencer, Aaron Sorkin, Meryl Streep

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Book SynopsisWritten by a highly influential post-Stanislavskian practitioner, this book offers an accessible and contemporary interpretation of The Method, setting out techniques and exercises to train and develop actors today. Going back to the roots of Method Acting and the work of Lee Strasberg and Stanislavski, and using Barrouk''s own unique practice as a lens through which to view it, The Method here is refreshed as something nuanced, contemporary, safe and practical that will benefit all actors - even those most skeptical of it.Through making a case for the relevance of Method Acting to our modern times and preserving its essence while updating its notions, the book covers the full range of the acting process, including character analysis questions, active analysis, actions, individual and group exploration, identifying actions, and developing/creating a scene in rehearsal. Practical exercises and activities are woven throughout the text, offering a modern framewor

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Book SynopsisAdrian Charles Edmondson is an English actor, comedian, musician, writer and television presenter. He studied drama at Manchester University where he met his comedy partner Rik Mayall. The influence of the absurdist dramatists he studied and his early love for The Goon Show, The Muppets and Monty Python are all reflected in his comedy practice. He and Rik were part of the first wave of Alternative Comedy where their glorious pursuit of laughter and anarchic performances changed the comedic landscape forever.He starred as Vyvyan in The Young Ones, the series that blasted its way onto our screens tearing into our preconceptions of what television comedy could be. Adrian has since had a very significant career. A career that has taken him in later years into straight' acting as well, at the RSC, BBC TV's War and Peace and EastEnders, and as a writer of books for adults and children. He has also had an award-winning music career with hisTrade ReviewBoarding school, despair, love, music, Rik Mayall – everything Adrian Edmondson writes about makes you love him desperately -- Caitlin Moran, journalist and author of How to Be a WomanThe berserker from The Young Ones and Bottom tells his story with self-effacing charm and no end of backstage anecdotes * Ian Rankin *This is a bloody good book. Lots of people live interesting lives, but very few people can write genuinely interesting books about those lives. Adrian Edmondson has done both. And while it is incredibly funny, it is also a lot, lot more than that * Miles Jupp *The bravest, most affecting celebrity book of the year * Daily Express *Edmondson can be very funny and very poignant simultaneously * Daily Mirror *A hilarious romp through a golden era of comedy and a searingly honest and moving memoir * Red Magazine *

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Book SynopsisFrom Shaun Micallef, beloved host of ABC TV’s news satire Mad as Hell, comes Tripping Over Myself – an insightful and funny memoir about comedy and life that takes us through uncharted waters to unexpected places.Comedy has been Shaun’s escape, his guiding light, his refuge, his passport, his lifebuoy, his drug, his mask, his means, his end, his lingua franca, his Self. But it’s not everything.From his early years as a gangly, bespectacled nerd in suburban Adelaide to the giddy heights of national TV stardom, Shaun regales us with his experiences and his continuous reinvention through humour with... well, humour. He writes with candour about his successes and failures, loves and losses, along with tales of wine, women, song, and eccentric dancing. Behind the persona of one of Australia’s best-loved comedians lurks, as you will discover, an idiot.Despite Shaun’s best efforts, Tripping Over Myself is sprinkled with thoughtful insights and observations and shows us how to persist in the face of adversity or even good fortune. You will laugh, you will dog-ear pages, you will wonder, you will Google ‘Jerry Lewis’, you may book a trip to India, and you will come away from this book reflecting on your own life in new and remarkable ways.Trade Review ‘As I was reading Tripping over Myself this morning I felt something funny was happening to my mouth. I touched it with my fingers. It was smiling.’ – BARRY HUMPHRIES ‘I had to teach this flog the absolute basics. Embarrassing.’ – KATE McCARTNEY ‘Shaun Micallef is an enigma, wrapped in a nerd, inside a truly brilliant comedian.’ – ANDREW DENTON ‘Working with Shaun was ‘the most difficult thing I have ever had to do in my life’. – DENISE SCOTT ‘Shaun Micallef is the most uniquely talented comedic performer Australia has ever seen. His unseen humility also means he would never use this quote to grotesquely self-promote himself.’ – ROVE McMANUS ‘I am forever grateful that Shaun Micallef hasn’t let being a complete genius get in the way of also being so stupid.’ – CELIA PACQUOLA ‘Everyone talks about Shaun’s washboard abs and pert buttocks, but he’s also very funny.’ – MARK HUMPHRIES ‘Who else, in this country, could possibly make a career that's lasted well over 30 years doing weirdo stuff on network television? We love Shaun and we couldn't be here without him. Also, he owes us 20 bucks.’ – AUNTY DONNAPRAISE FOR SHAUN MICALLEF’S PREVIOUS BOOKS ‘Shaun is a genius. In fact the worst written part of this entire book is this quote.’ – WIL ANDERSON ‘One of the greatest comic voices of our time.’ – MATT LUCAS ‘Shaun has a gift for the surreal. The English language is a sunlit garden. Shaun has a Harley-Davidson and a cast-iron alibi. He will be home by nightfall. You may hear some noise. It will be made by you. You will feel much better afterwards.’ – JOHN CLARKE ‘He’s a wonderful hybrid of Peter Cook and Stephen Fry with a touch of Graham Kennedy’s subversiveness.’ – THE AUSTRALIAN

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Book Synopsis THE HEART-WARMING AUTOBIOGRAPHY BY BARBARA WINDSOR CHRONICLING HER EARLY CHILDHOOD IN LONDON''S EAST END TO RECEIVING A DBE IN 2000''A whopping, no-holds-barred rollercoaster of a book'' Mail on Sunday`Barbara Windsor emerges from these pages as a personality both strong and sunny'' Sunday TelegraphBorn in the East End of London just before the war, Barbara Windsor made her first stage appearance at the age of 13. From her early roles as the original Carry On dolly bird to her longest role as Peggy Mitchell in the award-winning BBC drama EastEnders, her spectacular success in theatre, film and TV has made her a British icon - the Cockney kid with a dazzling smile and talent to match.Here, for the first time, she talks in depth about the people and events that have shaped her career: her lonely childhood, her doomed marriage to Ronnie Knight, her legendary affairs, how she never letTrade ReviewA whopping, no-holds-barred rollercoaster of a book * Mail on Sunday *Barbara Windsor emerges from these pages as a personality both strong and sunny * Sunday Telegraph *By living up to its title alone it makes a nonsense of every other showbiz bleat 'n' brag ever put to paper * Julie Burchill *Infinitely more interesting than the sentimental schmaltz we have read about her before * Lynn Barber, Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisJohn Tesh has achieved more in life than he ever dreamed possible. But the road to success has been anything but easy—and those challenges have become the secret to his success. Through his story, we can learn how to be relentless, how to achieve what we didn’t think was possible, and how to handle our inevitable discouragements.Relentless will show you how to… Stop worrying about short-term failures and start discovering how to turn them into stepping stones to success.  Discover the secret of being steadfast when things don’t work out like you expected. Shift your perspective from disappointment to positive learning opportunities when faced with a setback.  Learn powerful lessons for personal growth that you can immediately apply to your life. In this engrossing memoir, Tesh describes how the obstacles that shaped him—including being suspended from colle

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Book SynopsisSince 1660 when actresses first began performing on the English stage, women have forged bright careers in theatre, while men called the shots. Four hundred years of women playwrights, from Aphra Behn to Caryl Churchill, yet plays by women make up less than a quarter of staged productions in the UK, leading to a scarcity of roles for women. With women buying most of the tickets, theatre productions risk losing their relevance to modern culture if they fail to represent the many and varied lives of women. With an overview of post-war theatre and 25 exclusive interviews with leading women theatre-makers, this book inspires us to create a truly equal and inclusive theatre today. Including interviews with: Nina Lee Aquino Sudha Buchar Moira Buffini Paule Constable Denise Gough Jill Greenhalgh Vicky Ireland Jude Kelly Bryony Lavery Rachel Maza Kumiko Mendl Katie Mitchell Marsha Norman Lynn Nottage Kate O'Donnell Winsome Pinnock Emma Rice Daryl Roth Jenny Sealey Saviana Stanescu Michelle Terry Kate Waters and more...Trade Review"An inclusive and all-around eye-opening account of how theatre has changed...an enlightening path into the dazzling minds of these groundbreaking women." - The Broadway World; "As a publication, 50 Women in Theatre is comprehensive and a good thing to have, an important collection of talent around the world." -The Reviews Hub; Star rating: five stars - Musical Theatre Review; Fight for gender equality is harder than ever: Read The Stage; "Or how about celebrating achievement? Part of a series called '50 Women in ...', 50 Women in Theatre must have been good fun and rather satisfying to research and assemble. It consists, after a detailed introduction, of 50 short celebrations of the contributions made to theatre by women since 1945. And they are wonderfully diverse both in terms of who they are and what they've achieved. Thus we go from choreographer Gillian Lyne to producer Thelma Holt, director Jenny Sealey and voice guru Cicely Berry. Actors include Audra McDonald, Meera Syal, Glenda Jackson and Judi Dench, We also read about producers such as Nica Burns, actor/directors like Michelle Terry and playwrights including Moira Buffini and Bryony Lavery. Some of these accounts are written in the third person (Caryl Churchill, Sonia Friedman) not least because some of them are dead (Joan Littlewood, Jocelyn Herbert) or, presumably, preferred not to be interviewed. Others are presented as "in their own words" and written at greater length usually in a question and answer format. It's an attractive hard back book on shiny paper with lots of coloured photographs so it would make a good present." - Sardine Magazine, no.56

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Book SynopsisItalian cinema gave rise to a number of the best-known films of the postwar years, from Rome Open City to Bicycle Thieves. Although some neorealist film-makers would have preferred to abolish stars altogether, the public adored them and producers needed their help in relaunching the national film industry. This book explores the many conflicts that arose in Italy between 1945 and 1953 over stars and stardom, offering intimate studies of the careers of both well-known and less familiar figures, shedding new light on the close relationship forged between cinema and society during a time of political transition and shifting national identities.

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Book SynopsisThe first authorised biography of eternal legend Elizabeth Taylor.Known for her glamorous beauty, soap-opera personal life and magnetic screen presence, Elizabeth Taylor was the twentieth century's most famous film star. Including unseen photographs and unread private reflections, this authorised biography is a fascinating and complete portrait worthy of the legend and her legacy.Elizabeth Taylor captures this intelligent, empathetic, tenacious, volatile and complex woman as never before, from her rise to massive fame at the age of twelve in National Velvet to becoming the first actor to negotiate a million-dollar salary for a film, from her eight marriages and enduring love affair with Richard Burton to her lifelong battle with addiction and her courageous efforts as an AIDS activist.Using Elizabeth's unpublished letters, diary entries and off-the-record interview transcripts as well as interviews with 250 of her closest friends and family, Kate Andersen Brower tells the full, unvarniTrade Review'A dazzling portrait of an incredible woman. Elizabeth’s life was more captivating than any film could ever be.'– Demi Moore ‘Brower’s book takes the reader into the private world of the most famous celebrity of the 20th century. Elizabeth’s heart, mind, and passion come vividly alive on each page. We see her as a woman who struggled and ultimately survived to rewrite the playbook on celebrity and power. I never wanted it to end!’– Brooke Shields ‘Many should be inspired by all that Elizabeth accomplished as an HIV and AIDS activist. Brower’s book took me back to the early days when Elizabeth fought so hard against the stigma surrounding people living with HIV and AIDS. She lived by the credo, ‘To whom much is given, much is required.’ Elizabeth was not perfect, but she always tried to improve and be better. Her true nature is revealed here in these pages and her life story deserves to be told in a moving and transparent way.’– Magic Johnson 'Brower’s behind-the-curtain look at the most private thoughts of such an enormous cultural icon is a true page-turner!'– Andy Cohen 'Kate Andersen Brower vividly captures the icon throughout her eventful but tempestuous life.'– Mark K. Updegrove, president and CEO of the LBJ Foundation and author of Incomparable Grace: JFK in the Presidency

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Book SynopsisThe star of Marvel's first Asian superhero film, Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings, tells his own origin story of being a Chinese immigrant, his battles with cultural stereotypes and his own identity, becoming a TV star, and landing the role of a lifetime.In this honest, inspiring and relatable memoir, Simu Liu chronicles his family''s journey from China to the bright lights of Hollywood with wit and humour.As a child, Simu''s parents left him in the care of his grandparents, bringing him to Canada when he was four. However, Simu soon senses that his new guardians lack the gentle touch of his grandparents, resulting in harsh words and hurt feelings between him and his parents, who find their son emotionally distant and difficult to relate to.Although they are related by blood, they are separated by culture, language, and values.As Simu grows up, he plays the part of the pious child flawlessly he gets straight As, performs exceptionally in national math competitions and makes his parents proud. However, as time passes, he grows increasingly disillusioned with the path that has been laid out for him.Less than a year out of University, he is fired from his first job and hits rock bottom. He develops a determination centred around creating his own path. This leads him to not only succeeding as an actor, but also opens the door to reconciling with his parents.We Were Dreamers is a story about growing up between cultures, finding your family, and becoming the master of your own extraordinary circumstance.

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Book SynopsisThe star of Marvel's first Asian superhero film, Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings, tells his own origin story of being a Chinese immigrant, his battles with cultural stereotypes and his own identity, becoming a TV star, and landing the role of a lifetime.In this honest, inspiring and relatable memoir, Simu Liu chronicles his family''s journey from China to the bright lights of Hollywood with wit and humour.As a child, Simu''s parents left him in the care of his grandparents, bringing him to Canada when he was four. However, Simu soon senses that his new guardians lack the gentle touch of his grandparents, resulting in harsh words and hurt feelings between him and his parents, who find their son emotionally distant and difficult to relate to.Although they are related by blood, they are separated by culture, language, and values.As Simu grows up, he plays the part of the pious child flawlessly he gets straight As, performs exceptionally in national math competitions and makes h

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Book SynopsisThe is the tale of a cheeky little sod from Salford called Jason growing up surrounded by his properly funny and most definitely shameless family and his discovery that being funny might actually get him somewhere. Other than detention, mugged, dumped or sacked that is.It''s about being part of a big, northern, working-class family forever struggling with money, but never short on laughs or misadventures, who show that when the chips are down what really matters is sticking together.Trade ReviewHe's blessed with the sort of laid back charm and sharp turn of phrase you can't manufacture * Daily Telegraph *Manford paints a warm picture of a chaotic poor-but-happy childhood filled with earthy characters, from an eccentric uncle to a big-hearted tart he met on his paper round * Evening Standard *One of the most consistently funny and effortlessly charming new comics around -- Jonathan RossSeveral instances are much less commonplace, no matter how matter-of-factly Manford relates them - such as the heroin addict uncle who used to crash on the family sofa. And there surely can't be many people who have a story about liberating a cooker from a murder victim's house ... The adventure is like a modern-day Laurel and Hardy sketch, though told with a mordant humour * Chortle *Who wouldn't feel a rush of delight to see the stand-up and perennial panel show host Jason Manford peeking out of their Christmas stocking? * Independent on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisBorn Natasha Zakharenko, Natalie Wood continues to haunt us 20 years after her tragic and mysterious death. Her dark hypnotic beauty and passionate performances made her a movie star legend, appearing in over fifty films including West Side Story and Rebel Without a Cause for which she was Oscar nominated. The story of her life is tinged with tragedy and drama. Pushed by her domineering, frustrated mother - an alcoholic determined to make her child a star at whatever cost, Natalie grew up fast - lonely and a misfit, uncertain of her identity. At fifteen she had embarked on an affair with a director 30 years her senior, she was brutally raped by a leading Hollywood star when she was sixteen -an attack which her mother forbade her to report. Her leading men frequently became her lovers including Elvis Presley, James Dean , Warren Beatty and the real love of her life, Robert Wagner whom she eventually married twice. Her fear of being alone and the years of exploitation and abuse ledTrade ReviewA gripping tale. * Punch *Powerfully gripping -- JG Ballard * Daily Telegraph *A riveting biography * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisNorman Wisdom''s early years could easily have come straight from the pages of a Dickens novel. Left by their frightened mother, ill-treated by a brutal father, Norman and his brother were forced to fend for themselves, sleeping rough in London and stealing food to survive. This is a rags to riches tale of the man Charlie Chaplin said would take his mantle and who went on to make millions laugh around the world for over five decades. Here are the hardships, tragedies and triumphs that gave him his inspiration. From the days working the seasons at Scarborough, to the unforgettable and endearing character Norman Pitkin - the little man in a tight fitting suit, read of his rapid climb up the showbiz ladder.Trade ReviewA classic rags-to-riches saga * The Spectator *

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Book SynopsisA brilliant biography of the young Orson Welles, from his prodigious childhood and youth, his triumphs with the Mercury Theatre, to the making of Citizen Kane. Vivid, vastly entertaining, this is the definitive Welles biography.Trade ReviewA book of titanic achievement * Daily Telegraph *Simon Callow's brilliant account of the early years is the best Welles book yet -- David HareCallow is not just that rare phenomenon, an actor who can write. He is a superb biographer. His description of the making of Kane is masterly... This is an extraordinary book with extraordinary insights -- Godfrey Hodson * Independent *A knock-down, brass-bound, copper-bottomed triumph...tremendous fun to read... It is Simon Callow's triumph that at the end of this book Orson Welles comes before us just as Oscar Wilde did at the end of Richard Ellmann's superb biography -- Keith Baxter * Daily Telegraph *Welles might seem a difficult subject for a new biography. The legend is already pretty much written in stone. Callow's achievement is threefold: he embraces his subject with such gallumphing energy that the extraordinary power of his subject is conveyed as if for the first, fascinating time; he attempts a sober reassessment, trying to get an honest measure of someone who seemed larger than life...and he provides a genuinely interesting actor's view of the actor -- Nigella Lawson * The Times *

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Book SynopsisA SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER___________________________The hilarious and heartwarming memoir from one of Britain''s best-loved comedians and Women''s Prize longlisted author, Dawn French.Dawn French is one of the greatest comedians of our time with a career that has spanned nearly four decades. Loved for her irreverent humour, Dawn has achieved massive mainstream success while continuing to push boundaries and challenge stereotypes. Here, she describes the journey that would eventually establish her as a perhaps unlikely, but nevertheless genuine, national treasure. As part of the much loved duo French and Saunders, Dawn helped create a repertoire of brilliantly observed characters, impersonating everything from Madonna and Harry Potter to The Exorcist. Dawn''s iconic role in the Vicar of Dibley showcased not only her talent but also her ability to take a controversial and topical issue and make Trade Reviewsomething of a revelation. Beacuse in among the the gags and photos of her bare bosom, there is intellectual rigour and real emotional intelligence ... heavens, she's a funny lady. I can't remember the last time a book made me laugh so much. * Sunday Telegraph *a national treasure ... Loyal, self-deprecating and garrulous, French's story makes for entertaining reading ... this is an original book, and will delight her fans and, indeed anyone with a sense of humour * Mail on Sunday *well written, warm and funny * Sunday Times *she writes so well * Daily Mail *no-holds-barred * List *

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Book SynopsisIn this moving memoir, Robert J. Wagner opens his heart to share the romances, the drama and the humor of an incredible life. Under the mentorship of stars like Spencer Tracy, he became a salaried actor in Hollywood''s studio system among other hot actors of the moment such as his friends Rock Hudson and Tony Curtis. Wagner began to appear in a number of films alongside the most beautiful starlets. As his career blossomed he met the woman who would change his life forever, Natalie Wood. They fell instantly and deeply in love and stayed together until the stress of their careers drove them to divorce.Trying to forget the pain, he made more movies and spent his time in Europe with the likes of Steve McQueen, Sophia Loren, Peter Sellers, Laurence Olivier, David Niven, Liz Taylor and Joan Collins. He would meet and marry the beautiful former model and actress Marion Marshall. Together they had a daughter, and made their way back to America, where he found himself at the beginninTrade ReviewRobert Wagner is outrageously indiscreet in his zinging account of Hollywood affairs ... His on-off-on-again life with Natalie Wood is one of Hollywood's greatest love stories ... His memoirs cannot help but be entertaining * Sunday Times *Reads like a Who's Who of Hollywood. It's fantastic to find out about that era and the stars he knew, being married to Natalie Wood and friends with Bette Davis. What a story he has to tell * Mirror *

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Book SynopsisAnt and Dec have spent 30 years working together on TV. They''ve won over 100 awards, become national treasures and through it all they''ve remained best friends. From jungles to pubs, youth clubs to blind school, a wealth of behind-the-scenes anecdotes are revealed in this full, personal and intimate account of their friendship. Ant and Dec met when they were just thirteen on the set of Byker Grove in Newcastle. They didn''t warm to each other immediately, but soon enough they became best mates and have been inseparable both on and off screen ever since. Bad rap, stunts going wrong, schoolboy pranks and off-screen antics are just some of the experiences they write about in this wonderfully entertaining memoir, full of vivid observations, colourful reminiscence and charming digressions. Ooh! What a Lovely Pair will give millions of fans an insight to the genuine intimacy and refreshing sense of humour that the two TV icons share.

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Book SynopsisDavid Robinson''s definitive and monumental biography of Charlie Chaplin, the greatest icon in the history of cinema, who lived one of the most dramatic rags to riches stories ever told. Chaplin''s life was marked by extraordinary contrasts: the child of London slums who became a multimillionaire; the on-screen clown who was a driven perfectionist behind the camera; the adulated star who publicly fell from grace after personal and political scandal. This engrossing and definitive work, written with full access to Chaplin''s archives, tells the whole story of a brilliant, complex man. David Robinson is a celebrated film critic and historian who wrote for The Times and the Financial Times for several decades. His many books include World Cinema, Hollywood in the Twenties and Buster Keaton. ''A marvellous book . . . unlikely ever to be surpassed'' Trade ReviewA marvellous book . . . unlikely ever to be surpassed * Spectator *I cannot imagine how anyone could write a better book on the great complex subject . . . movingly entertaining, awesomely thorough and profoundly respectful * Sunday Telegraph *One of the great cinema books; a labour of love and a splendid achievement * Variety *One of those addictive biographies in which you start by looking in the index for items that interest you . . . and as dawn breaks you're reading the book from cover to cover * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisA sweeping look at the career of a truly singular Hollywood starIn the oceans of ink devoted to the monumental movie star/businesswoman/political activist Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor (1932-2011), her beauty and not-so-private life frequently overshadowed her movies. While she knew how to generate publicity like no other, her personal life is set aside in this volume in favor of her professional oeuvre and unique screen dynamism. In On Elizabeth Taylor: An Opinionated Guide, her marriages, illnesses, media firestorms, perfume empire, violet eyes, and AIDS advocacy take a back seat to Elizabeth Taylor, the actress.Taylor''s big screen credits span over fifty years, from her pre-adolescent debut in There''s One Born Every Minute (1942) to her cameo in The Flintstones (1994). She worked steadily in everything from the biggest production in film history (Cleopatra in 1963) to a humble daytime TV soap opera (General Hospital in 1981). Each of her sixty-seven film appearances is recapped here w

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Book SynopsisThis is the ultimate anthology of theatrical anecdotes, edited by lifelong theatre-lover Gyles Brandreth in the Oxford tradition, and covering every kind of theatrical story and experience from the age of Shakespeare and Marlowe to the age of Stoppard and Mamet, from Richard Burbage to Richard Briers, from Nell Gwynn to Daniel Day-Lewis, from Sarah Bernhardt to Judi Dench.Players, playwrights, prompters, producers--they all feature. The Oxford Book of Theatrical Anecdotes provides a comprehensive, revealing, and hugely entertaining portrait of the world of theatre across four hundred years.Many of the anecdotes are humorous: all have something pertinent and illuminating to say about an aspect of theatrical life--whether it is the art of playwriting, the craft of covering up missed cues, the drama of the First Night, the nightmare of touring, or the secret ingredients of star quality.Edmund Kean, Henry Irving, John Gielgud, Laurence Olivier, Ellen Terry, Edith Evans, Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren--the great ''names'' are all here, of course, but there are tales of the unexpected, too--and the unknown. This is a book--presented in five acts, with a suitably anecdotal and personal prologue from Gyles Brandreth--where, once in a while, the understudy takes centre-stage and Gyles Brandreth treats triumph and disaster just the same, including stories from the tattiest touring companies as well as from Broadway, the West End and theatres, large and small, in Australia, India, and across Europe.Trade ReviewIt is impossible to do justice here to the fullness of Brandreth's bran tub. It's a hamper of a book, overflowing with delights and the odd occasion for serious reflection... * Simon Callow, The Sunday Times *... cracker of a book... with theatres closed because of coronavirus, The Oxford Book of Theatrical Anecdotes is about as close to a play we can get at the moment and it is well worth the admission price. * Sunday Express *The mix of solemnity and humour is perhaps a suitable homage to a great industry now in danger of dying, leaving in its wake only anecdotes about old times. * Lindsay Duguid, Times Literary Supplement *Brilliantly wide-ranging collection of showbiz tales with an anecdote-packed introduction from the man himself. * James Walton, Readers Digest *... a chunky tome of a book containing scrupulously researched snippets of amusing theatrical chat... The prologue to the book is a mini masterpiece in itself and demonstrates with a quiet strenth and a familiar humour, the depth of Brandreth's love for the theatre and his remarkable insight into it... makes you smile, wonder and sympathise... * Sandra Callard, ON-Yorkshire Magazine *Brandreth is always reliably funny... * Literary Review *... a sheer delight... this meaty volume will transport the reader into the world of make-believe and recount the very real exploits of the wizards who create it. * John Badenhorst, Press and Journal *This, of course, is not a book to read from cover to cover - it's one to dip into as and when the mood takes you. I heartily recommend you take the plunge. * Stephen Griffin, Camden New Journal *Funny, cringe-worthy, witty and wise, it's the perfect book for theatre-goers. * Surrey Life *...provides a fascinating perspective on the history of British (and sometimes American or Australian) theatre... there's so much to enjoy here: it really is a book that keeps on giving, and will keep the reader happily dipping in and out for many weeks... * Shiny New Books *The ever wonderful Gyles Brandreth edits this joyous and hugely entertaining new anthology of theatrical anecdotes... a comprehensive, revealing, and hugely entertaining portrait of the world of theatre across four hundred years. * The Arts Shelf *Completely brilliant. Gyles knows all the best theatre stories and he has collected them just for us. What a treat! * Dame Judi Dench *Table of ContentsPrologue Act One: Players from WIlliam Shakespeare to Henry Irving Act Two: Players from Sarah Bernhardt to Tallulah Bankhead Act Three: Players from Ralph Richardson to Naeem Hyat Interval: Audiences and Critics Act Four: Playwrights, Producers, and Directors Act Five: Unforeseen Circumstances Epilogue

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Book SynopsisLeonard Nimoy''s portrayal of the ever-logical Vulcan, Mr. Spock, is one of the most recognizable, loved, and pervasive characterizations in popular culture. He had been closer to the phenomenon of Star Trek than anyone, having played the pivotal role of Spock in the original series, in six motion pictures, and in a special two-part episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. I AM SPOCK gives us Nimoy''s unique perspective on the beginnings of the Star Trek phenomenon, on his relationship with his costars and particularly on the reaction of the pointed-eared alien that Nimoy knew best. Here, Nimoy shared the true story behind his perceived reticence to re-create the role and wrote frankly about how his portrayal defined an icon.

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Book SynopsisThe Ritual Theatre of Theodoros Terzopoulos outlines the story of the Athenian-based Attis Theatre and the way its founder and director, Theodoros Terzopoulos, introduced bio-energetic presences of the body on the stage, in an attempt to redefine and reappraise what it means today not only to have a body, but to fully be a body.Terzopoulos created a very specific attitude towards life and death, and it is this broad perspective on energy and consciousness that makes his work so appealing both to a general public and to students of arts, theatre and drama. Freddy Decreus' study charts the career of Greece's most acclaimed theatre director and provides a spiritual and philosophic answer in times where former Western meta-narratives have failed.Table of ContentsList of Figures. Acknowledgements. Chapter 1: Unfathomable faces. Chapter 2: Myth and mythos in times of transition. Chapter 3: Myth and its riddles. Chapter 4: A Universe of Time and Space. Chapter 5: Rituals in a world of bioenergetics. Chapter 6: Inauguration of a new Humanism? Bibliography. Index.

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Book Synopsis''I suppose my luck is You, Ann and Dad and more so if I could really write.'' Annie Eliza CourtenayTom Courtenay was born in Hull in 1937 and brought up near the fish dock where his father worked. When he left home for university, his mother, Annie, wrote to him every week and when her letters became more searching and more intimate in response to Tom''s unhappiness he kept every one, not knowing that after her early death they were to become his most treasured possession.Tom has selected the best of them to go in this book and interwoven with them a portrait of what was going on in his life at the time, in the heady days of the early Sixties when successful young working-class actors were coming to the fore for the first time. Annie''s letters are astonishing - wise, funny, with a natural instinct for words, but also deeply painful. She knows she''s worthy of a better, more creative life, but she hasn''t been given the chance.Partly a memoir of a working-clTrade Review'This is an unusual book. It brims with unabashed love.' Irish Independent'What lifts DEAR TOM well above the usual run of thespian recollections is that it is also a posthumous collaboration with his mother Annie, the author of the letters which fill the second half of the book, and which provide a deeply touching counterpoint of unfulfilled promise to his firework ascent into celebrity in the early Sixties.' Independent'Wonderfully accomplished...an unusual and touching memoir.' Daily Mail'Pure Alan Bennett, but more warm-hearted...one of the most moving books I've read all year.' Scotsman'Like many of our skilled actors, among them Dirk Bogarde, Alec Guinness and Peter O'Toole, Courtenay proves to be a skilled and sensitive writer.' Glasgow Sunday Herald

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Book SynopsisA bona fide tough guy with soulful eyes and a laconic style, Robert Mitchum was one of Hollywood''s best-loved actors, star of such moody film noir favourites as Out of the Past, Night of the Hunter and Cape Fear, as well as enduring classics like Angel Face and Crossfire. But, as Lee Server now reveals, Mitchum was one of the few Hollywood icons whose real-life exploits were yet more compelling than his on-screen persona. A hobo in the Depression, he fell into movie acting after stints as a boxer, a beach bum and a songwriter. Despite early Hollywood successes, he was famously busted on a narcotics rap. But even prison couldn''t tame Mitchum''s taste for living on the wild side, and he remained an unrepentant misbehaver until the end of his days. In this biography of Robert Mitchum, Lee Server offers the definitive life story of a man who redefined cinematic cool.Trade Review'Lee Server's thorough work gives Mitchum the biography he deserves, and consolidates his reputation as one of the very best.' Guardian; 'This is a book you can wallow in. You're never far from a fight or a steamy romance or a drinking binge - Robert Mitchum, after all, was like a Robert Mitchum character.' New Statesman; 'Server has accumulated plenty of intriguing details about Mitchum's life, and his style parallels the laid-back character of his subject.' Sunday Express; 'Some guy. And this is some book... Server is the best kind of biographer, a fan who doesn't let his admiration get in the way of telling the truth'. Scotland on Sunday

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Book SynopsisSean Connery''s personification of secret agent James Bond invigorated Britain and its cinema, allowing a cash-strapped, morale-sapped country in decline to fancy itself still a player on the world stage. But while Bond would make Connery the first actor to command a million dollar-plus fee, the man himself was forever pouring scorn on the fantasies audiences found it increasingly hard to separate him from.Spirited, argumentative and sardonically celebratory, Christopher Bray''s Sean Connery is both a biography of a star and an investigation of what can happen to a man when the images he creates take over his life. And it''s an analysis of what it means to be star-struck - a critical tribute to a secular icon who has shaped so many dreams. In this skillfully crafted biography, Christopher Bray challenges the assumptions and rumours prevelent in previous biographies with characteristic wit and skill. His previous book Michael Caine: A Class Act, was des

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Book SynopsisMarlon Brando will never cease to fascinate us: for his triumphs as an actor (On the Waterfront, The Godfather, Last Tango in Paris), as well as his disasters; for the power of the screen portrayals he gave, and for his turbulent, tumultuous personal life. Seamlessly intertwining the man and the work, Kanfer takes us through Brando''s troubled childhood, to his arrival in New York in the 1940s, where he studied with the legendary Stella Adler, and at the age of twenty-three became the toast of Broadway in A Streetcar Named Desire. Kanfer expertly examines each of Brando''s films - from The Men in 1950 to The Score in 2001 - making clear the evolution of Brando''s singular genius, while also shedding light on the cultural evolution of Hollywood itself. And he brings into focus Brando''s self-destructiveness, his lifelong dissembling, his deeply ambivalent feelings towards his chosen vocation, and the tragedies that shadowed his final years. This is a never-before-seen portrait of one of

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThis is Dawn French's fabulous new non-fiction book: take a lovely ramble through the year together with Dawn. Think of it as Dawn's diary, personalized by you . . . perfection. * from the publisher's description *Who wouldn't want to spend a year in the company of Dawn French? -- BEST BOOKS OF 2017 * Best *[A] must-read to pass on to friends and family of all ages * Woman & Home *A lovely concept . . . it's very intimate -- Matt Baker * BBC The One Show *A lovely stocking filler -- Jane Garvey * BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour *A manual for how to be a good person, make peace with your life and create your own happiness * Sunday Times *Dawn French will get you thinking with Me. You. A Diary. That's Christmas sorted! * Fabulous Magazine *Me. You. A Diary reveals what [Dawn] has learned in her 60 years and features blank pages for readers to include their own entries. A mellow, gentle read with words of wisdom * The Independent *One brilliant, inspiring woman . . . I'm going to love spending a year with you -- Emma KennedyI spent a good 10 minutes snogging it -- Sarah CoxI love it. Lots of my friends are getting sent one now!!! -- Deborah MeadenIt's as if she's in your head. Feisty. Intimate. True. LOVE IT! -- Helen LedererHours of joy -- Emma FreudWreck This Journal meets Dawn French's ruminations on the seasons, ageing and more - this is a companion piece to help you through life itself. A very good idea * Stylist *A national treasure. Loyal, self-deprecating and garrulous, French's story makes for entertaining reading. This is an original book, and will delight her fans and, indeed anyone with a sense of humour * Mail on Sunday (on 'Dear Fatty') *Heavens, she's a funny lady * Sunday Telegraph *Dawn tackles the big ones - love, death, grief, childhood, motherhood, parenthood - head on * Guardian *A wonderful writer - witty, wise, poignant * Daily Mail *Makes you laugh on every page * The Times *This book is inspired!!! -- Nadiya Hussain[It's] beautiful, like Dawn, and stuffed full of goodies -- Jo BrandThe most fun you'll have with a book all year . . . The perfect stocking filler * Mayfair & Marylebone Edition *This woman is a warm hug in human form - just thinking about her makes me smile. Dawn spreads joy in abundance. She is dazzling -- Lorraine KellyTop tome for THIS YEAR'S STOCKINGS! Start a journal alongside Dawn's witty outlook on life. This will have you laughing about your year * Prima *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewPacked with tips for drama school applicants, this book is a staple for the drama department. -- Sarah Lambie, reviewer Drama & Theatre * Drama & Theatre magazine *

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Book SynopsisA biography of one of the most important political activists of a generationTrade Review'Gerald Horne is one of the most gifted and insightful historians on racial matters of his generation' -- Manning Marable'Gerald Horne gives us the Paul Robeson we've been waiting for: the flesh and blood revolutionary, artistic genius, and fearless opponent of capitalism, racism and colonialism. He recovers in meticulous scholarly detail one of the 20th century's greatest freedom fighters. Horne also brings Robeson to life for our own times. This is a brilliant encore for an essential revolutionary life' -- Bill V. Mullen, Professor of American Studies, Purdue University, and author of 'Afro-Orientalism' (Univ. of Minnesota Press, 2014)'Powerfully affirms that Robeson's global artistic acclaim infuriated defenders of U.S. foreign policy while giving voice to earlier and later generations of black socialist radical artists. Horne portrays the tragedies faced by, and the impact possible for politically conscious black artists in the face of racial caricature and American imperialism. Drawing attention to Robeson's oratory this study reflects the cultivation of debate, law, and linguistics in Black cultural life and the role of Robeson's universalist musicology' -- Tiffany Willougby-Herard, Associate Professor, African American Studies, UC Irvine, and author of 'Waste of a White Skin;'A fine introduction to the man, his work and more importantly his ideas. A valuable work that clarifies the distinction between genuine fame and the simple vacuous celebrity obsessions of our time' -- Billy Woodberry, leading director of the L.A. Rebellion (Los Angeles School of Black Filmmakers)'An original and powerful biography of Paul Robeson. This book would have made Robeson proud' -- Erik S. McDuffie, Associate Professor of African American Studies, University of Illinois, and author of Sojourning for Freedom: Black Women, American Communism, and the Making of Black Left Feminism'In this powerful, concise account of one of the greatest internationalists of the 20th century, Gerald Horne returns Paul Robeson to his rightful place in history' -- Robin D.G. Kelley, Distinguished Professor of History, UCLA, and author of 'Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original' (2009)'Horne delivers a fine, taut analysis of the great African American athlete, singer, actor, and political activist, highlighting the theme of the artist as revolutionary ... A welcome addition for any library, small or large' -- Choice, Highly Recommended R. C. Cottrell, California State University'An amazing contribution to African American radical history ... I hope a new generation of activists read Horne's insightful book' -- Tony Pecinovsky, People's World'Excellent' -- Sydney Review of Books'Offers a great example of black entertainers as responsible and ethical political leaders' -- LSE Review of BooksTable of Contents1. 'The Best Known American in the World' 2. Rising Star 3. Rising Revolutionary 4. From Moscow to Madrid 5. 'The Tallest Tree in Our Forest' 6. 'Black Stalin'? 7. Robeson: Primary Victim of the 'Blacklist' 8. Britain Beckons 9. Triumph—and Tragedy 10. Death of a Revolutionary Notes Index

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Book SynopsisThe Internet isn''t all cat videos. There''s also Felicia Day - violinist, filmmaker, Internet entrepreneur, compulsive gamer and former lonely homeschooled girl who overcame her isolated childhood to become the ruler of a new world . . . or at least semi-influential in the world of Internet geeks and Goodreads book clubs.After growing up in the south where she was ''homeschooled for hippie reasons'', Felicia moved to Hollywood to pursue her dream of becoming an actress and was immediately typecast as a crazy cat-lady secretary. But Felicia''s misadventures in Hollywood led her to produce her own web series, own her own production company and become an Internet star.Felicia''s short-ish life and her rags-to-riches rise to Internet fame launched her career as one of the most influential creators in new media. Now, Felicia''s strange world is filled with thoughts on creativity, video games, and a dash of mild feminist activism - just like her memoir.Hilarious aTrade ReviewEverything Felicia creates seems to succeed. This book should be no different. It's a great read - far from 'horrible' and worth every 'Penny'. See what I did there? It's a play on...never mind. * Neil Patrick Harris, author of Choose Your Own Autobiography and Felicia’s co-star in Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog *Reading Felicia Day's memoir is like going on a road trip with an old friend you never knew you had. This is the perfect book to prove you aren't the only misfit in the world, and to remind you that that's a very good thing. * Jenny Lawson, author of Let's Pretend This Never Happened *

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Book SynopsisThe New York Times bestseller - a sweeping and heartbreaking Hollywood biography about the passionate, turbulent marriage of Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh. In 1934, a friend brought fledgling actress Vivien Leigh to see Theatre Royal, where she would first lay eyes on Laurence Olivier in his brilliant performance as Anthony Cavendish. That night, she confided to a friend, he was the man she was going to marry. There was just one problem: she was already married-and so was he.TRULY, MADLY is the biography of a marriage, a love affair that still captivates millions, even decades after both actors'' deaths. Vivien and Larry were two of the first truly global celebrities - their fame fueled by the explosive growth of tabloids and television, which helped and hurt them in equal measure. They seemed to have it all and yet, in their own minds, they were doomed, blighted by her long-undiagnosed mental-illness, which transformed their relatTrade ReviewGalloway is careful to bring out the nuance that often gets lost * Sunday Times *Compelling...Highly readable and especially sympathetic to the many frailties of Vivien Leigh, Truly Madly gives a fresh perspective on the rise and fall of a great romance between two people who loved not wisely but too well. * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisA sweeping and heartbreaking Hollywood biography about the passionate, turbulent marriage of Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh.A New York Times bestsellerAs seen in the Daily Mail and Mail on SundayIn 1934, a friend brought fledgling actress Vivien Leigh to see Theatre Royal, where she would first lay eyes on Laurence Olivier in his brilliant performance as Anthony Cavendish. That night, she confided to a friend, he was the man she was going to marry. There was just one problem: she was already married-and so was he.TRULY, MADLY is the biography of a marriage, a love affair that still captivates millions, even decades after both actors'' deaths. Vivien and Larry were two of the first truly global celebrities - their fame fueled by the explosive growth of tabloids and television, which helped and hurt them in equal measure. They seemed to have it all and yet, in their own minds, they were doomedTrade ReviewGalloway is careful to bring out the nuance that often gets lost * Sunday Times *Compelling...Highly readable and especially sympathetic to the many frailties of Vivien Leigh, Truly Madly gives a fresh perspective on the rise and fall of a great romance between two people who loved not wisely but too well. * Daily Express *[A] richly detailed account of the fiery ascent and demise of one of Hollywood's most glamorous couples. . . This page-turning biography is one to get swept up in. * Publishers Weekly *[A] dishy narrative about the tumultuous marriage of Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh. . . A good choice for lovers of theater and cinema-and for those who live for the drama. * Kirkus Reviews *This is a wonderful read with elegant prose and eloquent dish. Stephen Galloway has for many years been one of the foremost chroniclers of the American film industry. Here, he draws back the curtain on the passionate, complicated relationship between two of its most beloved stars, Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, a dream pairing that turned into a nightmare. * William Friedkin, Oscar-winning director of The French Connection and The Exorcist *

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Book SynopsisTony Curtis is a screen legend. In his sixty-year career he has appeared in over one hundred films, including such classics as Spartacus, The Defiant Ones and Some Like It Hot. His numerous TV appearances include co-starring with Roger Moore in The Persuaders. He lives in Las Vegas with his fifth wife, Jill.Peter Golenbock has written six New York Times bestsellers over a thirty-three-year career.Trade ReviewI enjoyed American Prince by Tony Curtis immensely. I have known Tony and counted him as a friend since the early 1960s, and even shared with him some of the adventures he records. A wonderful read and long may he continue. * Sir Peter Blake *A rollercoaster of a book ... It's a romp through Hollywood's golden age, when Curtis, with his thick, black hair and cerulean eyes, practically invented celebrity as we know it * The Sunday Times *A perfect example of the traditional Hollywood rags-to-riches script with one of those all-star casts that you simply can't assemble any more. Marlon Brando, Marilyn Monroe, Rock Hudson: the list of late greats seems endless ... undeniably fascinating * Sunday Telegraph *A rollercoaster of a book ... It's a romp through Hollywood's golden age, when Curtis, with his thick, black hair and cerulean eyes, practically invented celebrity as we know it * The Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisJulius Henry 'Groucho' Marx was an American comedian and film star. He made fifteen feature films with his siblings, the Marx Brothers, and also had a successful solo career, most notably as the host of the radio and television gameshow, You Bet Your Life.Trade ReviewThe only thing the man can't do is sing, and that gave me an opening. But he can do everything else. I envy him this book, most of his wives and all of his talent * Frank Sinatra *In this book, Groucho gives all - and he deserves every dime of his royalties. I'm looking forward to my percentage for this puff * Jack Benny *Groucho brought the spirit of carnival to Hollywood. This book allows us to linger over the gags that went too fast on the screen * Alistair Cooke *

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Book SynopsisIf you grow up in a world where wrinkles are practically illegal, going bald is cause for a mental breakdown, and women over size zero are encouraged to shoot themselves (immediately), what the hell do you do if you’re, gasp … DISABLED?Trade ReviewHer observations and perspective are unique and powerful. This is a funny, compassionate and inspiring story of how 'being different' can become, with the right attitude, an unlikely advantage. Also, it's bloody funny and touching * Russell Brand *A cheerful optimistic belly-laugh broadside at prejudice and a wonderful testament to the power of “being funny”, I love Francesca Martinez * Steve Coogan *A wonderful read! Warm, funny and unforgettable * Jonathan Ross *A very, very important [book] ... I can’t think of a work that has so brilliantly expressed how a person disabled from birth sees herself -- Dominic Lawson * The Sunday Times *As entertaining as it is moving ... this book is a wonderful, funny, warm coming-of-age memoir about finding your own path in life. Long may she wobble. Five stars. * Viv Groskop, The Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisJo Brand is one of Britain''s funniest and best-loved comedians. With a sharp eye for the absurd and in her own unique voice, she tells her story for the first time. What possessed her to become a professional comedian in the cut-throat world of stand-up comedy after ten years as a psychiatric nurse? How did she deal with late night drunken audiences? From her early years growing up in a small south coast town with two brothers who toughened her up, to emerging on stage as ''The Sea Monster'', Jo Brand tells it like it is with wit and candour.

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Book SynopsisThis wide-ranging biography offers rare insight into both the life and work of a truly fascinating actor, Jessica LangeTable of ContentsChapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty

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Book SynopsisThirteen years in the writing, Erotic Vagrancy doesn't only surpass every other biography of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton yet to appear, this rich, vital and passionately articulated book, which is as extravagant and wayward as its two subjects, is also about celebrity, creativity, being flawed, being brilliant, sexuality, the intermingling of a low and a highbrow existence, pride, insecurity, attraction and repulsion, and devilry. We see Taylor the child actress exchanging dogs and horses for husbands. We see Burton emerging from the mists and brimstone of Wales to be the greatest theatrical animal of his generation. The pair come together in Rome during the making of Cleopatra, which gives Lewis the opportunity for a major farcical set-piece. We then enter a world of jewels and private jets, vodka, yachts and furs - the splendid vulgarity of the Sixties, where the narrative of Taylor and Burton becomes a Pop Art story. Then, inevitably, it alTrade ReviewThirteen years in the writing, Erotic Vagrancy doesn't only surpass every other biography of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton yet to appear, this rich and articulate book is also about celebrity, creativity, being flawed and being brilliant. * Belfast Telegraph *It is one of the very best biographies I have ever read. One of the best books about fame, desire, Hollywood and mid-to-late twentieth-century culture ever written. Inside which, brilliant, hilarious and sensitive insights on allmanner of subject fizz and froth. Magnificent, terrible, tragic, triumphant. -- Stephen FryLewis' prose, so electrifying, so funny, so sharp, so unsolemn, always going in unexpected directions, and with all those hilarious asides. Erotic Vagrancy gave me a week of pure joy * Craig Brown *A hot thunderstorm of a book * David Hare *Unputdownable -- Tony PalmerFascinating and hilarious . . . The joy is in the writing and the writing is joyful . . . The boldness of Lewis's writing is perfectly suited to the charisma of his subjects. -- Hadley Freeman * Sunday Times *As extravagant and uncompromising as its badly behaved stars. * Observer *Lewis's magnum opus is a masterpiece in a genre of his own invention. * The Times *He is a genius writer . . . - brilliant, witty, exhilarating, and a fund of good stories. * The Telegraph *A wonderful book . . . so deliciously written . . . Erotic Vagrancy is the biography of the year. Correction. It's the book of the year and then some * Mail on Sunday *A dionysiac humdinger. * Spectator (Duncan Fallowell Book of the Year) *The 'battling Burtons' Liz Taylor and Richard Burton were the most glamorous celebrity couple ever. Passionately devoted to each other, the high life and - fatally - the bottle, this fascinating account of their love affair is gripping stuff. * New Statesman *Stupendous book * Scotsman *This eccentric, baroque and often funny book, full of riffs, asides and venom, is a study of megastardom, excess and monstrous personalities. * Robbie Millen, The Times *Tantalising * Sunday Independent *Excellent . . . Lewis has managed to create something bigger and more extravagant than a biography . . . Erotic Vagrancy manages to be both beautiful and ugly, romantic and putrid, which befits Burton and Taylor, their love, their style, their era which is long gone. * Sight and Sound *

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Book SynopsisLiz Fraser was one of British cinema's favourite leading ladies for three decades. Instantly recognisable as the star of five Carry On productions, she also appeared in the Confessions and Adventures films, as well as regularly appearing alongside such comedy legends as Tony Hancock and Peter Sellers. This book tells Liz's remarkable story.

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisHow has the work and legacy of Augusto Boal''s Theatre of the Oppressed been interpreted and practised around the world? What does it look like in different working contexts? This book provides an accessible introduction to the political and artistic principles Boal''s techniques are founded on, tracking exemplary practice from around the globe.Using detailed contemporary case histories, theatre artist, scholar and activist Ali Campbell demonstrates how the underlying principles of Boal''s practice are today enacted in the work of - among others - an urban network (Theatre of the Oppressed NYC); a rural and developmental theatre organisation (Jana Sanskriti, West Bengal); Boal's original company CTO Rio (Brazil); and a theatre-based group led by learning-disabled adults in the UK (The Lawnmowers Independent Theatre Company). The book concludes with a series of conversations between Campbell and international exponents of the work, envisioning futures for the Theatre of the OppreTrade ReviewDistilled from a lifetime of practice, teaching and reflection with groups around the world, this brilliant book is a must read for Theatre for Change workers everywhere. -- Geraldine Ling MBE; Founding Artistic Director; The Lawnmowers Independent Theatre CompanyThis book is a profound praxis for peace, precisely because it disturbs: it is a work of clarity, written with the honesty of a friend. Ali Campbell explores Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed with the urgent question: "How then shall we Live?” -- Professor Alison Phipps OBE; UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts; University of GlasgowTable of ContentsIllustrations Acknowledgements Part One: Principles in Practice Prologue Introduction: About Augusto Boal and the Aims of This Book 1. What Is Forum and How Does It Work? 2. Teaching and Training 3. How Do We Adapt Forum? 4. Collaboration 5. Ten Top Tips Part Two: Companies and Conversations Introduction: How These Four Studies Were Created and Why Jana Sanskriti: Field Work Theatre of the Oppressed NYC (TONYC): 'Radically Unsentimental' The Lawnmowers Independent Theatre Company: 'Nurses Jump In. Teachers Don't' CTO Rio: 'Given a Recipe, You Can Go and Do' Part Three: Conversations Introduction: About the People You Will Hear from in This Section Alegna Dezlein Jennifer Little Barbara Santos Osmar Araujo Julian Boal Epilogue: 'From Damascus' Glossary Suggested Reading Index

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Book SynopsisClean Break is a British theatre company set up in 1979 by two women in prison. It exists to tell the stories of women with experience of the criminal justice system and to transform women's lives through theatre.Over 40 years, Clean Break has commissioned some of the most progressive and brilliant women writers to write ground-breaking plays, alongside developing the writing skills of the women they work with in its London studios and in prisons. This is a collection of monologues from this canon.Rebel Voices: Monologues for Women by Women celebrates the opportunities inherent when women represent themselves. Offering female performers a diverse set of monologues reflecting a range of characters in age, ethnicity and lived experience, the material is drawn from a mix of published and unpublished works. This book is for any performer who does not see themselves represented in mainstream plays, for lovers of radical women's theatre and for rebels everywhere who believe that the aTrade ReviewA very thorough book with some extremely interesting activities outlined for rehearsing Shakespearean monologues. * Word Matters (STSD) *I fumed and laughed and cried. A rich, varied and timely anthology of monologues for Everywoman. Clean Break is giving actors of ALL ages, ethnicities and backgrounds an opportunity to shine. * Indira Varma, Actor *Clean Break has an archive of incredible monologues for women; women whose voices aren’t often heard and whose experience is rarely given this level of complexity and humanity . . . A special resource that I wish had been around when I was at drama school. * Zawe Ashton, Actor and Clean Break Patron *Rebel Voices is a compelling anthology and a unique insight into a brilliant, ground-breaking theatre company. * Kathy Burke, Theatre Director *Table of ContentsClean Break Introduction Lucy Perman Acknowledgements Little on the inside by Alice Birch, B [ BLANK ] by Alice Birch, A Black Crows by Linda Brogan, Leonora Jadan by Danni Brown, Jadan Joanne by Deborah Bruce, Kath Didn’t Die by Annie Caulfield, Dinah Thick as Thieves by Katherine Chandler, Karen Spent by Katherine Chandler, Nat Apache Tears by Lin Coghlan, Merle Head-Rot Holiday by Sarah Daniels, Helen Trainers by Raina Dunne AKA Titch, Ellie Fingertips by Suhayla El-Bushra, Kidisti Pests by Vivienne Franzmann, Pink Sounds like an Insult by Vivienne Franzmann, Brenda Blis-ta by Sonya Hale, Kat Daddycation by Katie Hims, Jess The Garden Girls by Jacqueline Holborough, Mary Killers by Jacqueline Holborough, The Prisoner FKA Queens by Theresa Ikoko, Ngozi Firm by Daisy King, Stevie it felt empty when the heart went at first but it is alright now by Lucy Kirkwood, Dijana Wicked by Bryony Lavery, Rosie That Almost Unnameable Lust by Rebecca Lenkiewicz, Katherine Typical Girls by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, Munch Amazing Amy by Laura Lomas, Amy Inside a Cloud by Sabrina Mahfouz, Carly A Bitch like Me by Natasha Marshall, Lesha Fatal Light by Chloë Moss, Jay This Wide Night by Chloë Moss, Marie Amongst the Reeds by Chinonyerem Odimba, Gillian Te Awa I Tahuti (The River that Ran Away) by Rena Owen, Toni Mules by Winsome Pinnock, Allie Taken by Winsome Pinnock, Della Yard Gal by Rebecca Prichard, Boo Joanne by Ursula Rani Sarma, Grace Red by Anna Reynolds, Kay House by Somalia Seaton, Mama Mercy Fine by Shelley Silas, Mercy 21.23.6.15 by Sandrine Uwayo, A Voice And I and Silence by Naomi Wallace, Dee Permissions Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisShakespeare is at the heart of the British theatrical tradition, but the contribution of Ira Aldridge and the Shakespearean performers of African, African-Caribbean, south Asian and east Asian heritage who came after him is not widely known. Telling the story for the first time of how Shakespearean theatre in Britain was integrated from the 1960s to the 21st century, this is a timely and important account of that contribution. Drawing extensively on empirical evidence from the British Black and Asian Shakespeare Performance Database and featuring interviews with nearly forty performers and directors, the book chronicles important productions that led to ground-breaking castings of Black and Asian actors in substantial Shakespearean roles including: Zakes Mokae (Cry Freedom) as one of three black witches in William Gaskill's 1966 production of Macbeth at the Royal Court Theatre. Norman Beaton as Angelo in Michael Rudman's 1981 production of Measure for Trade ReviewA much needed history … Rogers’s meticulous study is a clarion call for British Shakespearian performance – and the scholarship surrounding it – to do better. * Shakespeare Survey *A vital read for anyone interested in the gains made by, not just some of Britain’s greatest actors of colour, but by some of Britain’s greatest actors. * David Oyelowo OBE *This is a book that I have eagerly awaited, both as a playgoer and as a cultural historian. Jami Rogers’s engrossing account of Black and Asian Shakespeareans from Ira Aldridge to Josette Simon is a fascinating and timely contribution to Shakespeare studies, providing a much needed survey of the resistance that British actors of colour have long faced, as well as the inroads they have made in making Shakespeare truly representative. * James Shapiro, author of 1599: A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare *Celebrating the contributions of actors of African-Caribbean and Asian heritage in the Shakespeare industry, this invaluable book contributes to decolonising the theatre and recuperating the experiences of practitioners of colour. - Adele Lee, Associate Professor, Department of Writing, Literature and Publishing, Emerson CollegeTable of ContentsNote on interviews Abbreviations List of illustrations List of tables Acknowledgements Introduction: Forgotten Shakespeareans, 1825–1965 Shakespearean pioneers, 1866–1947 Shakespearean pioneers, 1950–1965 Chapter One: “Difficult to justify this casting without sounding racist”: breakthroughs and stereotypes, 1966–1972 Royal Court – Macbeth – 1966 Mermaid Theatre – The Tempest – 1970 The Black Macbeth – Roundhouse Theatre, London – 1972 “Difficult to justify this casting without sounding racist” Chapter Two: “Why weren’t we auditioned?”: the “black canon” and the battle for Othello “Why weren’t we auditioned?” Reclaiming Othello Chapter Three: From “suitable roles” to leads, 1980–1987 “Black roles” at the RSC Macbeth – Young Vic, 1984 Leading roles, 1984 Rosaline – RSC, 1984 “Othello was an Arab” – RSC, 1985 Emergence of a new “black canon” RSC 1986 “They’re nurturing you” Antony – Contact Theatre, 1987 Isabella – RSC, 1987 Julius Caesar – Bristol Old Vic, 1987 Chapter Four: Owning Shakespeare – Temba, Talawa and Tara Arts, 1988–1994 Romeo and Juliet – Temba, 1988 Antony and Cleopatra – Talawa, 1991 Troilus and Cressida – Tara Arts, 1993 King Lear – Talawa, 1994 Chapter Five: Cracking the glass ceiling, 1988–1996 “You can’t have a West Indian actor playing a Welsh poet …” Troilus … But West Indian opera singers can speak the verse? Young lovers Rosalind. Portia. The Shakespearean glass ceiling, 1988–1996. “Are we saying we’re white people?”. “That wouldn’t have happened here”. Birmingham Repertory Theatre, 1993–1996. Chapter Six: “Monarchs to Behold”: 1997–2003. “I belong here”. Othello, National Theatre, 1997. Women of colour: pushing against the glass ceiling, 1998-1999. RSC, 1999. Troilus and Cressida, National Theatre, 1999 Identity and colour-blind casting Adrian Lester, Hamlet, 2000 David Oyelowo, Henry VI, 2000 Mu-Lan Romeo and Juliet, 2001 Adrian Lester, Henry V, 2003 The peak of progress? Chapter Seven: Progress Postponed, 2004–2011. “There’s a few more parts we could play, you know”. Tragic heroes and the Shakespearean glass ceiling, 2004–2011. Cross-cultural casting. “I think I need you to do an accent”. Maids and prostitutes, stereotyping Lucetta and Bianca. A new dawn. Chapter Eight: Shakespeare from Multiculturalism to Brexit, 2012-2018. Julius Caesar and Much Ado About Nothing, RSC, 2012. Othello. Joseph Marcell – King Lear, Shakespeare’s Globe, 2013. Shakespeare’s histories, 2013–2015. Paapa Essiedu – Hamlet, RSC, 2016. “It was a lack of faith”. Black Theatre Live’s Hamlet and Talawa’s King Lear, 2016. Alfred Enoch – Edgar, King Lear, Talawa, 2016. Women of colour in Shakespeare, 2016–2018. Josette Simon – Cleopatra, RSC, 2017 “They never asked me” Sheila Atim – Emilia, Othello, Shakespeare’s Globe, 2018 Troilus and Cressida – RSC, 2018. Coda – 2019…and beyond? References Index

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