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 ndash; and a survival guide to anyone thinking of entering this most emotionally gruelling of industries.Behind the Curtain is the inside scoop on lsquo;the professionrsquo; as told by a master raconteur ndash; 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 dressing room dramas that he has been party to over the years. Full of sage advice about the pitfalls of celebrity and the fluctuating fortunes of an actor ndash; and his own journey from TV stardom to the labour exchange and back again.With tales of some biggest personalities in the history of showbiz such as Michael Gambon; Noel Coward; Rex Harrison; Laurence Olivier John Gielgud; this is a book that captures the acting profession in all its eccentric glory.
#913712 in eBooks 2012-03-08 2012-03-08File Name: B007ZZ0OD6
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The Truest Adaptation to Lerouxs Novel You Will Find: Superb DramatizationBy Meredith L. Burton"The Phantom of the Opera" is an unforgettable tour de force: an emotional story that probes the mind of a disturbed individual who. nevertheless. exhibits extrordinary gifts. The story explores the loss of innocence and the always relevant theme of our endless quest "to be loved for ourselves". As a blind individual. I have always related strongly with this timeless tale: a story of a deformed man desperately trying to break free from his prison of isolation. a touching tale of longing and love.Big Finish Productions radio adaptation of Gaston Lerouxs novel is stunning in its faithfulness to the original work. Every character is presented as they appear in the novel. The most stirring aspect of this adaptation is that all the humor and pathos is present. The voice acting is top-notch. Perhaps most memorable is Peter Guineas captivating portrayal of "The Phantom." or Erik. This actors voice is enthralling: gentle yet also menacing. We as listeners are drawn into this characters obsession. brilliance and pain. His most memorable quotation is. "Im not really wicked. Christine. Im a mirror. I reflect whats before me. All I want is someone to love me for myself". These lines. spoken so pleadingly and with such gentle earnestness. moved me to tears. The actress playing Christine is wonderful in her innocence and gradual awakening to the true nature of her "Angel of Music" or strange abductor. Another wonderful actress is the woman portraying Madame Giry. She is funny. wise and very engaging. There is not a bad performer in the entire cast.The final thing I will say is that the music incorporated into the story is breathtaking. The composer has seamlessly woven arias from Gounods Faust. Rosinis Otello. and other works into his score. The composition of Eriks "Don Juan Triumphant" is equally compelling. and the singers who perform for the characters of Christine and Erik are flawless.Please give this riveting adaptation a chance. Also. do not stop the CD after the play. There are some wonderful interviews with the cast members and producers that are included. These interviews not only provide insight into the art of radio acting. but they also shed light on the actors thoughts about the characters they portray. God bless you all.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Fantastic Reading of The PhantomBy bredarosheenI borrowed this recording from the library some years ago and loved it so much I ended up searching for it again and found it here.This is a fantastic rendition of Gaston Lerouxs classic. The narrator has a very calm and expressive voice. and speaks slowly enough so it is easy to follow with have time to imagine what he describes. but not so slowly you lose interest or fall asleep. A very absorbing tale and so well read by Ralph Cosham. Highly recommend.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Classic is Labled Such for a Reason.By KCVAfter reacquainting myself with the extraordinary Phantom of the Opera movie. I had several questions that I thought the original book would explain in more depth and detail. Usually. I prefer reading the book before seeing a film based on an existing story. I am very glad I did. The character portrayal in the most recent version of Phantom do not conform to the book. For example. Raoul comes across as a milksop and Eriks cruelty was downplayed. Madame Giry is also very different. and the Persian and Raouls brother. the Count. were not even introduced in the film. But. I found both very impressive in their interpretation of the characters and story lines. Classics are always gems when they are rediscovered.
