Martin Milnes was born in the wrong era - or at least that's how it seemed. As a child he wore jazz-shoes to his junior school disco, expecting eight-year-olds to Mambo like the dancers in West Side Story ... but childhood and school days were no Broadway musical. Martin was different - the cat who walked alone. Birthdays, stingingly empty, held a horrific reminder that he possessed no talent for friendship. Yet once Martin emerged on stage, the jeering turned to cheering; the lonely void was filled by Hollywood stars of yesteryear, worshipped from afar. When his world shattered, the stars were there for him; and this time in person. The last surviving veterans of a glamorous era extended their guiding hands. Centenarian swimming partners, D-Day hero drinking chums, and propositions from naughty nonagenarians became every-day normality - and the wisdom, understanding and truths which they passed on completely transformed Martin's life, outlook and spirit. At last, with their help, the Wild Card learned how to be a Friend - and realised what a Birthday truly represents. Not to mention, along the way, coming to terms with something which perhaps he should have recognised long ago...

About the Author
Martin Milnes is a London based actor, writer and theatre director. As musical theatre duo Ferris & Milnes, he has played Theatre Royal Drury Lane, New York's Lincoln Center, Ambassadors Theatre and at West End LIVE. During the 2020 COVID-19 crisis, Ferris & Milnes united Dame Vera Lynn and West End stars in the morale-boosting video "We'll Meet Again", with creative direction by Martin. He directed the first professional revival and re-discovery of Gilbert & Sullivan's final work The Grand Duke and collaborates regularly with the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, preserving the legacy of The Few. Also a lecturer in Musical Theatre and Film History, Martin's Instagram 'Story A Day' about Broadway and Hollywood birthdays, anniversaries and anecdotes can be followed @martinmilnes


Book Information
ISBN 9781916197725
Author Martin Milnes
Format Paperback
Page Count 352
Imprint Zuleika
Publisher Zuleika