Peter Ustinov The Gift of Laughter - Softcover

Miller, John

3.61

33 ratings by Goodreads

9780752842622: Peter Ustinov The Gift of Laughter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0752842625 ISBN 13: 9780752842622

Publisher: Orion, 2003

View all copies of this ISBN edition:

Peter Ustinov was renowned throughout the world as an actor, playwright, director, novelist, wit and raconteur.

Born in England in 1921 of Russian immigrant parents, he discovered an ability to mimic while at school. He wrote his first play before he was 20 and he had more than a dozen produced, three of which were later filmed. As an actor he won Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor in SPARTACUS and TOPKAPI, and he also made three appearances as Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot. More recently he directed operas in every major opera house in Europe. His one-man show, AN EVENING WITH PETER USTINOV was a hit in London and on Broadway, and he published several novels and one early volume of memoirs.

This warm and revealing biography looks behind the public image to give an enthralling portrait of a man whose unique gift of laughter made him one of the world's most popular and respected entertainers.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review:

Peter Ustinov was in London last month to celebrate the publication of his autobiography and he was kept very busy with events and interviews.Events included:Platform performance at the National Theatre on 12 September, with John Miller - this was followed by a reception for Sir Peter's friends, family andselected booksellersAn Oldie Literary Lunch with John Miller and Dickie Birdon 10 September (and we've had diary stories in the Daily Mail (x2), Independent (x2) and Daily Telegraph about this as well as a cartoon in the Times).ADaily Mail Literary Lunch with A.N. Wilson on 11th September. Radio interviews were fixed up with:Front Row (BBC Radio 4) on 7th SeptemberRadio 2 Arts programmeBrian Morton Show (BBC Radio Scotland)John Miller has also been doing a number of regional radio interviews to include: BBC Three Counties Radio, BBC Radio Kent, BBC Radio Solent, BBC Radio Berkshire, BBC Radio Leicester, BBC Radio Northampton, BBC Radio Jersey, BBC Radio Norfolk, BBC Hereford & Worcester, BBC Yorkshire & Lincolshire and News Talk 106 (based in Dublin), LBC, BBC Wiltshire Sound, BBC Radio Newcastle Press interviews with Peter include:G2 interview in the Guardian (23 September)The 'Lunch With...' slot in the Financial TimesMail on Sunday ('Roots' interview in Night & Day)Woman's Weekly magazine (to run in December)Lady magazineTES (My Best Teacher Slot) (11 October '02) TV interviews were on BBC 6pm News (audience of 8 million)Open House with Gloria Hunniford (Channel 5) John Miller was also interviewed by Reuters. There has been a big interview in the Daily Telegraph with Peter Ustinov, about tennis, which whilst it doesn't mention the book is nonetheless great coverage. There was also a large interview in the Independent on Sunday (21st July '02). He's also completed the 'Best Day of My Life' feature for the Daily Mail and an interview in the Observer. John Miller will also bedoing some solos events about Peter Ustinov, and these include a talk at theLaurence Studio Bookshop in New Alresford (27 September) and a talk at the Guildford Book Festival (28 October). Reviews have started coming in and are very positive... 'Along with the anecdotes, Miller, manages to convey Ustinov's serious preoccupations with human folly and his attempts to promote intelligent international discussion....Of course, he is above all a brilliant entertainer, but he is more than that and this book conveys it...'Peter Lewis, Daily Mail 'John Miller is a sympathetic and intelligent chronicler of thespian extravagance...'Simon Callow, Sunday Times 'Miller is a paintstaking biographer and he digs deeply in the psyche of the great man...If you only buy one theatrical biography this year, I urge you to make this your choice!'Amateur Stage 'John Miller is an intriguing biographer who writes the entire affair with a contemporary edge...In absolute contrast to most biographies written today, Miller's book attempts to crush a massive story into a relatively short text. The result is a dizzyingly speedy tale, hurtling through an extraordinarylife. To read more than three pages and not become addicted is simply impossible.'Mick Middles, Manchester Evening News '...very funny in places...'Tom Widger, Sunday Tribune There has also been a review in the Sunday Telegraph by

Book Description:

The remarkable story of the celebrated actor, playwright, director, wit, novelist and raconteur.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.