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Review
'Funny, engaging, perceptive and hugely entertaining', Stephen Fry, .'Screamingly funny - set to become a classic', Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday .'Michael writes about disaster, humiliation, rejection and ridicule - the hilarious truth', Nicholas Hytner, .'A real page-turner and a genuinely funny and honest book about the actor's life', Michael Billington, Guardian .'Daring, brutal, hilariously candid, Simkins unravels his own profession to show the exhilaration, masochism and madness underneath', Julie Myerson, .'Casts an objective eye on the crazy world of the actor with an accuracy that is both chilling and charming', Mike Leigh, .'You read the wonderful Michael Simkins with a mixture of horror and delight ... will hold good for as long as people go on taking the undignified risk of dressing up and pretending to be other people', David Hare,
Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday
"screamingly funny, and is set to become a classic of the genre...perfect precision humour, creating magical comic sparks"
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Overhearing my wife listening to Mike Simkins reading an extract from "What's My Motivation?' on BBC Radio 4's 'Book of the Week' programme, I was so overcome by the sound of laughter coming from the living room that I was spurred into buying the book! The greatest compliment I can pay 'What's My Motivation?' is that you really don't have to be a 'luvvie' to enjoy it. It's full of humour and marvellously dry observations on the vagaries of the acting profession. For anyone who enjoys a witty read I can heartily recommend it, and for stage-struck adolescents and aspiring actors it has to be one of the best self-help books available! Encore!!
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a really really funny book, takes the reader through
Michael's early life, his 'obsession' with Am-Dram, particularly
Gilbert and Sullivan, through his time at RADA and then the agonising waits for parts and latterly TV appearances, always hoping for the well-known advertisement in order to become a household name.I confess that I started this book with a small amount of bias as my family and I know the author well, Simmo as he is affectionally known is a lovely bloke, and this comes through in his writing, at which he could become even better at than acting ! All in all, this will make you laugh out loud
many times, a real bonus these days !!
Michael's early life, his 'obsession' with Am-Dram, particularly
Gilbert and Sullivan, through his time at RADA and then the agonising waits for parts and latterly TV appearances, always hoping for the well-known advertisement in order to become a household name.I confess that I started this book with a small amount of bias as my family and I know the author well, Simmo as he is affectionally known is a lovely bloke, and this comes through in his writing, at which he could become even better at than acting ! All in all, this will make you laugh out loud
many times, a real bonus these days !!
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a wonderful read, a gloriously charming and funny account of a jobbing actor's life. Don't expect high-brow 'I, An Actor' style pontificating - this actor/author doesn't take himself that seriously and is hilariously expert at pricking his own pomposities, if they dare try to rear their head. But he'll still teach you as much about being a professional actor as any Stanislavski book. It's a delightful celebration of Englishness and a triumphant celebration of failure, which should become a set text at every drama school. There are too many laugh out loud moments to list here, but my personal favourite involved the actress girlfriend, the unwitting landlord, and the unfortunate attempt at weaving a sexual fantasy. Plus there are cameos by everyone from Anthony Perkins through John Malkovich to Pierce Brosnan. Don't put your daughter on the stage without making her read this book first.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
laugh out loud
Whether you are involved in the world of theatre or not, I'm sure you will find this book really funny. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Catherine
Delightful gem of a book
This book is captivating. It's a really funny, entertaining read and would make a perfect present for: any would-be actor, any amateur actor, anyone who has a dream they yearn to... Read more
Published 9 months ago by J0n G
An actors life to be
Fun, imformative and a very amusing read. Written with a light touch and no slouch at self deprecation. Would recommend it to any one who is seeking the lighter side of life.
Published 18 months ago by Modeller
It motivated me to scream with laughter!
I have read Michael's 2 other books, Fatty Batter and Detour de France and both made me laugh out loud on the train on more than one occasion. Read more
Published on 28 Oct 2009 by Mr. L. Davis
Motivated
A smashing read - great fun. Always thought the theatre was all smoke and mirrors - now I know it is plus a great deal of hard work and sheer luck!
Published on 16 Sep 2009 by C. Payne
A must read for any budding actor or not...
Wonderfully funny and perceptive. I am now going to read his book about cricket... and I hate cricket.
He appeared in Minder recently as the wedding singer.
He appeared in Minder recently as the wedding singer.
Published on 10 Mar 2009 by Mrs. Susan Cabell
Bravo
Read "Motivation" after reading Fatty Batter and having loved the cricket book so much I was prepared to be not so enthusiastic, yet I need not have worried. Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2009 by J. M. Griffiths
Another gem from Michael Simkins
I read this after loving 'Fatty Batter'. Michael Simkins has an extraordinary gift for comic writing. Read more
Published on 9 Aug 2007 by L. Croft
Brilliantly witty
I came across this book when I saw Michael Simkins in Democracy in the West End, and it has become one of my all-time favourite light reads. Read more
Published on 21 July 2007 by Sugar Spun Sister
Wonderful!
Self-disparaging and compelling, this book is often hilarious and sometimes moving. Although one is always aware that Michael Simkins' natural and vast charm is seducing you into... Read more
Published on 16 April 2007 by purple diva
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