This is the ultimate anthology of theatrical anecdotes, edited by lifelong theatre-lover Gyles Brandreth in the Oxford tradition, and covering every kind of theatrical story and experience from the age of Shakespeare and Marlowe to the age of Stoppard and Mamet, from Richard Burbage to Richard Briers, from Nell Gwynn to Daniel Day-Lewis, from Sarah Bernhardt to Judi Dench. Players, playwrights, prompters, producers--they all feature. The Oxford Book of Theatrical Anecdotes provides a comprehensive, revealing, and hugely entertaining portrait of the world of theatre across four hundred years. Many of the anecdotes are humorous: all have something pertinent and illuminating to say about an aspect of theatrical life--whether it is the art of playwriting, the craft of covering up missed cues, the drama of the First Night, the nightmare of touring, or the secret ingredients of star quality. Edmund Kean, Henry Irving, John Gielgud, Laurence Olivier, Ellen Terry, Edith Evans, Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren--the great 'names' are all here, of course, but there are tales of the unexpected, too--and the unknown. This is a book--presented in five acts, with a suitably anecdotal and personal prologue from Gyles Brandreth--where, once in a while, the understudy takes centre-stage and Gyles Brandreth treats triumph and disaster just the same, including stories from the tattiest touring companies as well as from Broadway, the West End and theatres, large and small, in Australia, India, and across Europe.

About the Author
Gyles Brandreth is a writer, broadcaster, and former MP who, over forty years, has worked in the theatre as an actor and producer. On stage he has appeared in pantomime, in Shakespeare, in The Importance of Being Earnest, and in his own musical revue in the West End. In Edinburgh he has won the Most Popular Show at the Fringe Award and multiple 5 star reviews and taken his acclaimed one-man show to more than a hundred UK theatres. On stage, radio, TV, and in print he has interviewed most of the leading theatre personalities of our time. His books include a history of pantomime and biographies of Sir John Gielgud and Dan Leno. Best known as a reporter on The One Show on BBC1 and a regular on Radio 4's Just A Minute, he has appeared on Have I Got News For You, QI and Countdown. He is the editor of the Oxford Book of Humorous Quotations, president of the Oscar Wilde Society, founder of the national Poetry Together project, and Chancellor of the University of Chester.

Reviews
It is impossible to do justice here to the fullness of Brandreth's bran tub. It's a hamper of a book, overflowing with delights and the odd occasion for serious reflection... * Simon Callow, The Sunday Times *
... cracker of a book... with theatres closed because of coronavirus, The Oxford Book of Theatrical Anecdotes is about as close to a play we can get at the moment and it is well worth the admission price. * Sunday Express *
The mix of solemnity and humour is perhaps a suitable homage to a great industry now in danger of dying, leaving in its wake only anecdotes about old times. * Lindsay Duguid, Times Literary Supplement *
... a chunky tome of a book containing scrupulously researched snippets of amusing theatrical chat... The prologue to the book is a mini masterpiece in itself and demonstrates with a quiet strenth and a familiar humour, the depth of Brandreth's love for the theatre and his remarkable insight into it... makes you smile, wonder and sympathise... * Sandra Callard, ON-Yorkshire Magazine *
Brandreth is always reliably funny... * Literary Review *
... a sheer delight... this meaty volume will transport the reader into the world of make-believe and recount the very real exploits of the wizards who create it. * John Badenhorst, Press and Journal *
This, of course, is not a book to read from cover to cover - it's one to dip into as and when the mood takes you. I heartily recommend you take the plunge. * Stephen Griffin, Camden New Journal *
Funny, cringe-worthy, witty and wise, it's the perfect book for theatre-goers. * Surrey Life *
...provides a fascinating perspective on the history of British (and sometimes American or Australian) theatre... there's so much to enjoy here: it really is a book that keeps on giving, and will keep the reader happily dipping in and out for many weeks... * Shiny New Books *
The ever wonderful Gyles Brandreth edits this joyous and hugely entertaining new anthology of theatrical anecdotes... a comprehensive, revealing, and hugely entertaining portrait of the world of theatre across four hundred years. * The Arts Shelf *
Completely brilliant. Gyles knows all the best theatre stories and he has collected them just for us. What a treat! * Dame Judi Dench *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198749585
Author Gyles Brandreth
Format Hardback
Page Count 832
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 948g
Dimensions(mm) 205mm * 140mm * 47mm