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So You Want to be an Actor?
By Prunella Scales and Timothy West
143 page
Published by Nick Hern Books at £8.99
Dateline: 2nd October, 2005
This little book is a combination of manual and double memoir. It is
probably aimed at persuading or dissuading those who are considering
a career in the acting profession and are about to take the final, fatal
step. As the book points out, this could leave them in a career where
they are unemployed far more than they are acting.
The joint authors give their views alternately and their different
voices are conveyed by slightly different typefaces. If you are deeply
concerned about which of them has said something, it can be difficult
for those untrained as printers or publishers to spot the subtle difference.
In many cases, the context or tone will give the game away. Otherwise,
the best bet may be to look out for the dotting of the Is. West's are
much tighter.
The concerns of a would-be actor are manifold and in the opening chapter,
this book covers diverse areas such as the impetus that leads one to
follow such an uncertain profession, the need to go to a good drama
school, getting an agent and Equity membership and, most importantly,
dwells on financial security.
This last subject, which is arguably more important than any other,
is alluded to throughout, particularly with reference to ways of earning
a crust when jobs are few and far between. There is also considerable
focus on the ability to obtain tax relief on pretty much any expenditure
for which you keep a receipt. In some cases, the Wests must rely heavily
on a particularly good and rather aggressive accountant.
Their thoughts on working within the profession are often fascinating
and sometimes contradictory. The couple's real strength is in the area
of the use of voice and language. Here, they go into considerable detail
and give advice that is particularly useful today when this important
aspect of their business is so often neglected.
The book goes into most areas of the profession that one could think
of and considers each of them in a few hundred words. This can cover
anything from the advantages of having an ability to fence to working
with people you don't get on with.
In addition to the primary purpose of this book, which is geared towards
the basics of acting on stage, the authors also advise on film, radio
and TV work.
For most purchasers though, the biggest attraction will be the ability
to get into the minds of two of Britain's best-loved actors. Where else
could you find out about Timothy West's desire to burn down a school
in Crewe or Prunella Scales' belief that Sybil Fawlty's background deserved
as much consideration as those of Mrs Alving, Madame Arkadina or Lady
Bracknell?
Philip Fisher
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