Oberon Masters Series


prev
next
close
Behind the Curtain: The Job of an Actor

Behind the Curtain: The Job of an Actor

by Peter Bowles

Peter Bowles invites us backstage to witness the job of acting as it really is. This is a warm-hearted look at the lived experience of a jobbing actor – and a survival guide to anyone thinking of entering this most emotionally gruelling of industries.

Behind the Curtain is the inside scoop on ‘the profession’as told by a master raconteur – one who has trodden the boards in the West End for five decades. Armed with an array of classic anecdotes, Bowles shares some of the infamous ad-libs, opening night disasters and dressingroom dramas that he has been party to over the years. Full of sage advice about the pitfalls of celebrity and thefluctuating fortunes of an actor – and his own journey fromTV stardom to the labour exchange and back again.

With tales of some biggest personalities in the historyof showbiz such as Michael Gambon, Noel Coward,Rex Harrison, Laurence Olivier & John Gielgud, this is a book that captures the acting professionin all its eccentric glory.

Press Comment:



'[An] enjoyable little hardback… packed with good, solid pieces of advice for would-be actors as well as many humorous anecdotes… [contains] a number of fresh ideas and stories that will not be known to the general reader… should prove to be popular with the millions of fans of this versatile actor as well as youngsters keen to make their way in one of the most difficult professions that anyone could choose. Every purchaser will come away better informed and greatly entertained, which is no bad recommendation' British Theatre Guide

'It’s a book full of insights — literally — and will be eagerly lapped up I think, by theatre buffs who see shows only from the auditorium. I’d also recommend it warmly to anyone in training as an actor or thinking of embarking on training to be one as a way of finding out from a dishy old pro exactly what an actor’s life is like .... some lovely stories.... fascinating' The Stage

'Full of witty asides and apercus' What's On Stage


Published: Jun 2012
Binding: HardBack
Page extent: 116

ISBN: 9781849432153

£12.99

Other Titles by Subject



An English Ballet

Dame Ninette de Valois, David Gayle (Ed.)

£12.99

ISBN: 9781849431071






Art of Translation, The

Ranjit Bolt

£9.99

ISBN: 9781840028652






Exposed by the Mask

Sir Peter Hall

£12.99

ISBN: 9781840029932






Just Adrian

Adrian Mitchell

£12.99

ISBN: 9781849430470






May The Farce Be With You

Roger Foss

£12.99

ISBN: 9781849431514






On Craftsmanship: towards a new Bauhaus

Sir Christopher Frayling

£12.99

ISBN: 9781849430722






On Illustration

Andrzej Klimowski

£12.99

ISBN: 9781849431125






On Poetry

Glyn Maxwell

£12.99

ISBN: 9781849430852






Role of the Critic, The

Nicholas Dromgoole

£12.99

ISBN: 9781840029734






Sound of Musicals, The

Ruth Leon

£12.99

ISBN: 9781849430180






Theatre and the Mind

Mick Gordon

£12.99

ISBN: 9781840028768






Wesker On Theatre

Arnold Wesker

£12.99

ISBN: 9781840029864