My Life in Pieces

A Theatrical Memoir from One of Britain's Greatest Actors

Simon Callow's personal journey through stage and screen

About the Ebook

An alternative autobiography of the well-loved actor and man of the theatre, winner of the Sheridan Morley Prize for Theatre Biography.

In My Life in Pieces Simon Callow retraces his life through the multifarious performers, writers, productions and events which have left their indelible mark on him.

The story begins with Peter Pan – his first ever visit to the theatre – before transporting us to southern Africa and South London, where Callow spent much of his childhood. Later, he charms his way into a job at the National Theatre box office courtesy of his hero, Laurence Olivier – and thus consummated a lifetime's love affair with theatre.

Alongside Olivier, we encounter Paul Scofield, Michael Gambon, Alan Bennett and Richard Eyre, all of whom Callow has worked with, as well as John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson and Alec Guinness, David Hare, Simon Gray and many more.

He writes too about figures he did not meet but who greatly influenced his life and work, figures such as Stanislavsky, Nureyev and Cocteau, as well as Charles Laughton and Orson Welles. And he even makes room for not-quite- legit performers like Tony Hancock, Tommy Cooper, Frankie Howard – and Mrs Shufflewick.

The result is a passionate, instructive and beguiling book which, in tracing Simon Callow's own 'sentimental education', leaves us enriched by his generosity and wisdom.

'first rate... the best writer-actor we have' David Hare

'Simon Callow combines zest, originality and passion and has elegantly turned his views and life in the theatre into an astonishing memoir' Richard Eyre

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• Experience an intimate portrait of a working actor's life and career
• Discover behind-the-scenes stories from major productions and films
• Learn from one of British theatre's most articulate practitioners
• Enjoy this acclaimed memoir from Nick Hern Books' biography collection

Reviews

'Not simply a terrific actor who happens to write. You could as well call him a terrific writer who happens to act' The Times

'Essential... [Callow has] a gift for transforming personal experience into blazingly intelligent, objective, critical appreciation' Observer

About the Author

Simon Callow is an actor, director and writer. In addition to his stage work, he has appeared in films such as A Room With a View, Four Weddings and a Funeral and Shakespeare in Love.

Publication Details

ISBN (EPUB): 9781780010120
Publication Date: 10 May 2012
Pages: 448
Format: Ebook (EPUB)
Publisher: Nick Hern Books

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