Out of Character

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What to expect

A Waterstones Best Book of 2024

'Marriage to Mike Leigh, the minutiae of working on Gavin and Stacey: it's a tribute to her range that there's something here to interest everybody' Telegraph

The first memoir from the national treasure, critically acclaimed actress and much-loved Gavin and Stacey star.

Candice Marie in Nuts in May. Beverly in Abigail’s Party. Mrs Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. Betty in Fat Friends. Sue in Here We Go and Pamela in Gavin & Stacey – we can all name a beloved, iconic character brought to life by the magnificent Alison Steadman.

Growing 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 …

Always 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.

From 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.

User Reviews

Book 4.5
Narration 4.5
4.0
4.0
An enjoyable listen.
ring01 07/08/2025
5.0
5.0
I absolutely loved this! I expected funny and I expected some interesting stories of Alison’s early career and start in life but I was not expecting how honest and real it was and no hiding or covering up the horrendous reality of sexual harassment and assault that she experienced and that most women experience constantly; Alison described how it affected her and also the resilience she found in herself to continue regardless- thank goodness for us!
I also loved hearing about how, although she comes from working class Liverpool which, especially at that time, was not the place you’d first think of for starting an acting career, Alison just sort of ignored all that and the snobbery within that area and went for auditions and got parts and built up her career and became one of the best we have seen and continue to see in her long career, what an inspiration for older women.
This book was a real surprise and delight.
Pammy1962 22/07/2025

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