Product Description

Few actors are more eloquent, honest or entertaining about their life and their profession than Simon Callow. Being an Actor traces his stage journey from the letter he wrote to Laurence Olivier that led him to his first job, to his triumph as Mozart in the original production of Amadeus. This new edition continues to tell the story of his past two decades onstage. Callow discusses his occasionally ambivalent yet always passionate feelings about both film and theatre, conflicting sentiments partially resolved by his acclaimed return to the stage with his solo performances in The Importance of Being Oscar and The Mystery of Charles Dickens, seen in the West End and on Broadway in 2002. Being an Actor is a guide not only to the profession but also to the intricacies of the art, told with wit, candour, and irrepressible verve by one if the great figures of the stage.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #129171 in Books
• Published on: 2004-11-04
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

About the Author
In addition to his distinguished career in the theatre, Simon Callow has appeared in the films Amadeus, Room With a View, Maurice, the hugely successful Four Weddings and a Funeral, Shakespeare in Love, Notting Hill and Bright Young Things. He directed the film The Ballad of the Sad Cafe starring Vanessa Redgrave and Rod Steiger. Callow is also the author of Charles Laughton: A Difficult Actor, Shooting the Actor and Orson Welles: The Road to Xanadu. He lives in London.

Customer Reviews

A window on one actor's soul
A fascinating portal through which to glimpse the way in which at least one actor became who and what he is. Simon very honsetly leads us through the formative processes which led him to the urge to act, some hilarious anecdotes about his early "slavery" in the National Theatre box office working with neanderthals, eventually to his professional training at the Drama Centre in London. He follows this up with a range of insights in to the way he grew as an actor, and the processes involved in doing his job: he is adamant that he was trained in a craft, to do a job, not following some nefarious liberal art. Always humorous and generous, this seems to be the work of a great hearted man who loves to tell stories and welcome you in to at least part of his life. Overall an admirable and addictive narrative: fascinating for anyone interested in the theatre. On a par with "The Year of the King" by Antony Sher, which is similarly but differently a great read.