{"product_id":"out-of-character-from-abigails-party-to-gavin-and-stacey-and-everything-in-between-9780008665401","title":"Out of Character: From Abigail's Party to Gavin and Stacey, and Everything in Between","description":"A Waterstones Best Book of 2024\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e'Marriage to Mike Leigh, the minutiae of working on \u003cem\u003eGavin and Stacey\u003c\/em\u003e: it's a tribute to her range that there's something here to interest everybody' \u003cem\u003eTelegraph\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eThe first memoir from the national treasure, critically acclaimed actress and much-loved \u003cem\u003eGavin and Stacey \u003c\/em\u003estar.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eCandice Marie\u003c\/strong\u003e in \u003cem\u003eNuts in May\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003cstrong\u003eBeverly\u003c\/strong\u003e in \u003cem\u003eAbigail's Party\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003cstrong\u003eMrs Bennet\u003c\/strong\u003e in \u003cem\u003ePride and Prejudice\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003cstrong\u003eBetty\u003c\/strong\u003e in \u003cem\u003eFat Friends\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003cstrong\u003eSue\u003c\/strong\u003e in \u003cem\u003eHere We Go \u003c\/em\u003eand \u003cstrong\u003ePamela\u003c\/strong\u003e in \u003cem\u003eGavin \u0026amp; Stacey - \u003c\/em\u003ewe can all name a beloved, iconic character brought to life by the magnificent Alison Steadman.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrowing up in post-war, working-class Liverpool, the young Alison - ever the entertainer - would address the world from the stage of her bedroom window, until she got a taste for performing in front of an actual audience at her progressive 1960s drama school. By the time she left, her mind was made up: she was going to be an actress! If only she could conquer the onstage giggling ...\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlways pushing boundaries - reclining naked on a sofa in her first role, embracing groundbreaking female characters from day one - Alison has deservedly found acclaim and recognition, succeeding in her TV and theatre career while juggling family life - a difficult feat for any working mother, but particularly for an actress in the twentieth century.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom the nervy Mrs Bennet to the robo-dancing Pam-el-aah, Alison has proved herself again and again to be a comedy genius. Here, with her distinctive warmth and humour, she vividly recalls all the must-read moments of a life spent in and out of character.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlison Steadman is one of Britain's best-loved actresses. She has achieved recognition across television (\u003cem\u003eGavin \u0026amp; Stacey\u003c\/em\u003e, the BBC's \u003cem\u003ePride and Prejudice\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eFat Friends\u003c\/em\u003e), film (\u003cem\u003eLife Is Sweet\u003c\/em\u003e) and stage (\u003cem\u003eAbigail's Party\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Rise and Fall of Little Voice\u003c\/em\u003e). She has won an Olivier, a National Society of Film Critics Award, and has been nominated for two BAFTAs. She lives in London with her partner, Michael, and is a keen birdwatcher and patron for the RSPB. Alison was awarded an OBE in 2000.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51346512249106,"sku":"9780008665401","price":23.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_f4ab3c03-b1e5-4f20-b631-09d439944ffb.jpg?v=1749048229","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/out-of-character-from-abigails-party-to-gavin-and-stacey-and-everything-in-between-9780008665401","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}