Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #266296 in Books
• Published on: 1998-11
• Format: Audiobook
• Original language: English
• Binding: Audio CD

Amazon.co.uk Review
Following his success as stand-up comic and theatrical performer, Eddie Izzard has turned his attentions to the written word. His first book, Dress to Kill, is a series of conversations with writer/presenter David Quantick that claim to reach "deep inside the most original head in Britain". Presented as a mixture of opinion and autobiography, Dress to Kill is a riveting, witty read that features a number of stunning photographs by Steve Double. These capture Izzard on and off the stage in London, New York, and San Francisco, illustrating the subject's colourful persona, not to mention vast wardrobe and astonishing array of nail varnishes.

Izzard employs his unique conversational style to describe his journey from his birth in South Yemen through his itinerant childhood to coming out as a transvestite, and finally becoming a comic, media personality, and film star. Those who have seen Izzard perform will immediately recognise the digressive meandering of his stream-of-consciousness anecdotes and monologues. Using this to great effect while discussing such topics as comedy, popular culture, sexuality, and hairy mammals, he generally succeeds in firing the imagination. However, as anyone who has seen his shows and is later asked to "repeat one of his jokes" will discover, delivery of his material is of the essence. Confessing at the end of the book that he doesn't write his act down, we discover why, as occasionally it fails to transfer to the written page.

Although not as incisive as the bold claim on the inlay, Dress to Kill reveals the world of and according to Eddie Izzard, a world fascinating and humorous enough to be enjoyed by a much wider audience than his current fan base. --Robert Brookes

Customer Reviews

The genuis that is Eddie Izzard!
What can I say? Eddie Izzard not only has conquered the comedy world but now has done the same with the acting world. He is one of Britains greats. His humour works world-wide, and its still hilarious if you can't see him. His surreal style comes across in his voice and storys. Yes, his actions and body language add to it but it still works without, where as for many comedians it doesn't. Dress to Kill is one of my favourite shows, and now I can experience two versions of this show. This tape was recorded on a seperate night to the video so the material is slightly different. Same plots but different ad-libs, which are what makes Eddie way of performing great. This is a must have for all true Eddie fans. It's brilliant, side splittingly funny, surreal, and just pretty damn groovy!!

Eddie Izzard - A Man Of Infinite Jest
I've been a fan of Eddies since the Fortnightly Club and to finally get the full life story of the man himself was nothing short of a treat, but even if you aren't a fan of Eddie's or even (shock horror) haven't heard of him then theres still plenty there, this book is VERY readable and you can't help but admire Eddie and chuckle at his bizarre thought process .. all in all a top read ! Eddie was even kind enough to sign it for me ..

More Classic Live Izzard
Another great Eddie Izzard live show, this one recorded in New York during the "Dress to Kill" show. Eddie discusses the lack of make-up in the armed forces, British films (including "The Great Escape"), The origin of the Heimlich Manouvere, Church of England Fundamentalists ("You will have tea and cake with the Vicar or you die!"), Astronauts, The European Union, Welsh pagan stone circle builders, Engelbert Humperdink and much else, in his own inimitable style.

Great for listening to in the car. Some extra material over the video version of the show, too, which makes it worth having.