Overview

Hugh Bonneville is one of Britain's most accomplished actors, whose credits include Downton Abbey, W1A and the Paddington films. 'I don't remember when I last read a book that gave me so many laughs' Christina Patterson, Sunday Times 'Tremendously entertaining' Rachel Cooke, Observer 'A writer of considerable urbanity and wit' Lynn Barber, Daily Telegraph 'You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll love Hugh even more' Woman & Home Hugh Bonneville is one of Britain's most accomplished actors, familiar to audiences worldwide for his roles in Notting Hill, the Paddington films and Downton Abbey. From getting his big break as Third Shepherd in the school nativity play, to mistaking a Hollywood star for an estate agent, Hugh creates a brilliantly vivid picture of a career on stage and screen. What is it like working with Judi Dench and Julia Roberts, or playing Robert de Niro's right leg, or not being Gary Oldman, twice? A wickedly funny storyteller, Hugh also writes with poignancy about his father's dementia and of his mother, whose life in the secret service only emerged after her death. Whether telling stories of working with divas, Dames or a bear with a penchant for marmalade, this is a richly entertaining account of his life as an actor.

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9780349145143

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Reviews

A writer of considerable urbanity and wit. Gary Oldman says it is 'beautiful, touching and funny'. I agree. -- Lynn Barber * Daily Telegraph * Comedy gold... I don't remember when I last read a book that gave me so many laughs... A riveting account of what it takes to be an actor -- Christina Patterson * Sunday Times * Tremendously entertaining... if collapsing into laughter is what you need at the moment, then Playing Under the Piano could be the book for you... a delicious and endearing mode somewhere between utmost sincerity and utter bafflement -- Rachel Cooke * Observer * A great read * Graham Norton * An enormously entertaining memoir * Daily Mirror * The tone of Hugh Bonneville's autobiography is very much like the man himself - warm, charming, funny and thoroughly embraceable... There is a refreshing lack of narcissism in a narrative poised between detached observation and amused self-reflection... An enormously entertaining memoir -- Neil Norman * Daily Express * Really enjoyed this. Wonderfully funny and utterly charming - just like the man himself! -- Jack Whitehall By turns funny, touching, revealing - full of insights, delights and surprises. I couldn't have enjoyed it more -- Gyles Brandreth A gorgeous book. Warm, friendly, funny and sometimes surprisingly emotional. Very like Hugh himself -- Richard Curtis When other books have been forgotten, this one will be remembered. Hugh Bonneville's considerable talent for writing is on display page after page. Beautiful. Touching. And funny. -- Gary Oldman Charming, joyous and entertaining, just like Hugh. -- Griff Rhys Jones A collection of stories painting a brilliantly vivid picture of a career on stage and screen * Yorkshire Post * Bonneville is entertaining, with a clear-eyed view of his trade... Reliving it all so far with light and shade, bite and bonhomie, as a memoirist Bonneville passes the audition with flying colours * Mail on Sunday * You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll love Hugh even more * Woman & Home * Bonneville tells of his life with appealing modesty... he gives us plenty of backstage gossip * Reader's Digest * Witty and moving * Country Living *

Author Information

Hugh Bonneville was born in London in 1963. After school in Sherborne, Dorset, and studying Theology at Cambridge, Hugh became a professional actor in 1985. His career has spanned radio, television, film and stage, including appearances at the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, Chichester Festival Theatre and in the West End. He received two Emmy nominations for his performance as Robert Crawley in Downton Abbey, and BAFTA nominations for his roles in Iris, Twenty Twelve and W1A. He lives in West Sussex with his wife, Lulu Williams. They have a son, Felix.

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