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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
Through the arched window, 6 Sep 2003
By A Customer
Merridy Eastman is an Australian actress who's been in Neighbours, various other Aussie soaps, and as the blurb engagingly says, "a swag of other productions" on the stage. But she's best known to a generation down under as the presenter of the Australian version of "Play School". This is very similar to the British original - same toys, same windows - but with a unique line in inane songs, notably the theme, "There's a Bear in There", sung (badly she says) by Merridy. Hence the title. Because it was something of a change in career direction when, "resting" for longer than intended, Merridy took a job as night receptionist in a Sydney brothel. (It says much about the differences between Australia and Britain that brothels can advertise in jobcentres, but there you go.) The result was an extraordinary adventure lasting more than a year, in which she got to know the prostitutes very well - and to like and respect them. She decided she couldn't "cross to the other side" and do what they did, but she was fascinated by those who could. Some of the girls were initially very suspicious of her, but when they realised that she only looked so familiar because she was the "Play School" presenter, everyone relaxed. Apparently Merridy never intended to write a book, but was bombarded by so many questions from friends (especially women) about what it was like that she thought she'd better start taking notes. Some of the best ideas for books happen by accident, and this was one of them. She's a natural writer and her book is often very funny, as well as very understanding towards the prostitutes. The disfunctional couple who owned and ran the brothel don't come out so favourably. All in all it's totally original and very entertaining, and is highly recommended.
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(4 customer reviews)
