Straight Face - Softcover

Nigel Hawthorne

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0340769432 ISBN 13: 9780340769430

Publisher: Sceptre, 2003

Synopsis

Very sadly, Nigel Hawthorne died on Boxing Day 2001. He had just completed his exceptional autobiography about a life which had by no means taken a straight path. His ambitions to be an actor when a young man in South Africa were strongly discouraged by his father. He came to England alone and struggled for many years to make his name - eventually joining the Royal Court, starring in the West End, and finally having his great TV break in Yes, Minister. He also struggled with his sexuality and it was not until meeting production manager Trevor Bentham in l977 that he finally found his life partner. A naturally private man, his media 'outing' in the run-up to the Oscar Ceremony for The Madness of King George was the source of much pain, although ultimately it became a liberation. At the peak of his career he was struck by cancer and his battle with illness forms a moving final section of the book.

About this title

About the Author

Sir Nigel Hawthorne died aged 72. He was born in England, but moved to South Africa when only 4. He returned to England as a young man and began to make his name in such productions as Joan Littlewood's Oh What a Lovely War and Peter Nichols' Privates on Parade. His major TV breakthrough came as Sir Humphrey in Yes, Minister - then Yes, Prime Minister. He won many awards for his role as King George III in Alan Bennett's play at the National Theatre and then in the film Madness of King George. His most recent major role was as King Lear in Japan and at the RSC in l999. Since 2000 he had been battling with cancer and died on December 26, 2001.

Review

Moving and funny... characterised by honesty and sincerity... Not to be missed * Sunday Times * A valuable record of his life and times...a very honest and engaging book from a modest man who became all he wanted to be * Glasgow Herald * Moving and understated life of one of our favourite theatrical knights. * Daily Mail * Beautifully written * Humphrey Carpenter, The Sunday Times * A wonderful book, 'artless' in the best sense, and written with such simplicity, directness and good humour. * John Banville, Daily Mail * a most compelling, intimate and moving portrait * Sunday Telegraph * The book is deeply honest without being sensational. There are some very funny sections and some very moving ones...A most unusual account of a most unusual actor. * Simon Callow, Mail on Sunday * Quite apart from the fact that this is already clearly the theatre book of the year, it is also in my view one of the best autobiographical accounts of an actor I have ever read. * Sheridan Morley *

Edition details

• Publisher: Sceptre
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0340769432
• ISBN 13: 9780340769430
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352