Product Description

Prunella Scales is of one of Britain's favourite - and most secretive - actresses. Her acting creations are known to millions - from the eternally favourite Sybil Fawlty to Tesco's cantankerous supergranny.From the nervous evacuee desperate to be a boy so that she would be allowed to fight in the street, to the first live TV broadcasts where she had to rush behind the set for costume changes, this is the captivating true story of a woman who was an unconventional trailblazer in her youth.Her TV debut came in 1952 as Lydia Bennett in Pride and Prejudice; Marriage Lines, Fawlty Towers and Mapp and Lucia established her as a household name for each decade that followed. Her list of theatre credits is long and eclectic and she is also a successful director and an inspirational teacher.Prunella rarely speaks 'in her own right', yet she has been utterly candid with Teresa Ransom. Featuring many of Prunella's own letters and diaries, and drawing on extensive interviews, this biography reveals a life lived to the full both on and off the stage.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #368899 in Books
• Published on: 2005-09-26
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 272 pages

Review
'Gives a fascinating insight into their lives' -- Wimbledon News 20050921 '[Prunella is] delightfully charming and professional' -- Slough & South Bucks Express 20050930 'A perfect portrait of a favourite actress' -- Publishing News 20050513 'An extraordinarily detailed authorised biography ... [Prunella] has had a brilliant career ... The most enthralling and touching part of the new book is the account of how the real Scales came to marry' -- The Times 20051011 'A delightful new book... intimate, charming ... [her letters] show her to be a warm, witty and rather refined character' -- Daily Mail 20050922 'Prunella scales new heights in rare talk at literary festival' -- Derby Evening Telegraph 20060701

From the Publisher
The first-ever biography of the fascinating real woman behind the many acclaimed character faces

From the Author
When, in 2002, Prunella asked me to write her biography I was delighted. Over the last three years I have interviewed her, followed her around various work assignments, and talked to her friends, family and work colleagues. It has been a fascinating and rewarding journey. Over the months as I gradually began to know her better, a clearer picture began to emerge of this generous, complicated, brilliant, and very private woman. A woman who admits to feeling most comfortable when wearing another persona, and yet who allowed me access to her letters and diaries in order to create a truthful picture of her life.