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A Piece of Work

Playing Shakespeare and Other Stories

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A Piece of Work

By: Simon Russell Beale
Narrated by: Simon Russell Beale
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About this listen

 'Extraordinary. A fabulous read' SIMON SCHAMA

'Wonderful. He writes with eloquence and wit' NICHOLAS HYTNER

Simon Russell Beale is one of Britain's most recognisable and well-loved actors. He has played many roles on stage, film, television and radio - ranging from Winston Churchill to Stalin, George Smiley to King Arthur. But ever since his appearance at school as a glamorous Desdemona, complete with false eyelashes that rendered him half-blind, he has been captivated by Shakespeare.

In A Piece of Work, Russell Beale tries to get under the skin of the playwright and find out what interested him. Was Shakespeare an instinctive 'conservative' or, rather, gently subversive? How collaborative was he? Did he add a line to Hamlet in order to accommodate his ageing and increasingly chubby principal actor, Richard Burbage? Did he suffer from insomnia and experience sexual jealousy?

Russell Beale describes what it is to approach and live with some of Shakespeare's most famous characters. Some of the actor's inspiration comes from surprising sources. Watching Coronation Street gave him an idea for how Richard III might react on hearing of the death of the two Princes in the Tower; a visit to elderly patients in a local hospital gave him insights into King Lear's descent into madness; and the memory of childhood family holidays led him to a spectacular plunge into an ornamental pool in Much Ado About Nothing.

Funny and touching about his family, Russell Beale also writes fascinatingly about some of the supremely creative people he counts as his friends - including Sam Mendes, Nick Hytner, Stephen Sondheim and Lauren Bacall.

A Piece of Work is a brilliant account of an actor's life and work - and his relationship with our foremost dramatist.

Shortlisted for the 2025 Theatre Book Award©2024 Simon Russell Beale (P)2024 Hachette Audio UK Art & Literature Authors Literary History & Criticism Royalty Funny Shakespeare Celebrity

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As above. I gained greater insight into Shakespeare’s skill (genius feels to be an overworked word) and the dedication needed to act at this level.

2 things.. SRB’s modesty and the sensitivity refected in his voice.

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The reading of this insightful memoir by the author himself was a big draw for me

Unique and intelligent insights into Shakespearean characters and the world of theatre in general

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I've admired Simon's acting for years and he does seem to have something in greater abundance than other actors. That something is hard to pin down: it certainly isn't flawless technique or athleticism, although he can surprise you. Taking on the role of Hamlet and doing it well does seem to make the difference between a good actor and a truly great one and this made his career. I think the reason why he did Hamlet so well - a performance I sadly never saw - is key because it is a role that is not suited to alpha males. Hamlet's many qualities such as his inventiveness, passion and being hopelessly romantic need to be set against him being a bit hopeless at most of the things men are meant to be good at. Portraying a character's humanity and revealing his flaws is the closest I can get to what Simon does so well in all the roles I've seen him in and the others that are described here.

For a good example of one of the "flaws" listen out for his anglicisation of Henrik Ibsen towards the end: it sounds like Henry Gibson! Hilarious...

I love Simon

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An interesting view of the life and career of a terrific actor. Lots of interesting facts and personal stories make for a very enjoyable and informative listen.

Very interesting insight into life as an actor

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A highly intelligent and perceptive description of the author's experience of working as an actor, mostly in Shakespeare plays.
Very well read, as you'd expect.

Truly interesting

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As a huge fan of Simon Russell-Beale I expected a lot and was rewarded magnificently.

Fascinating behind the scenes story

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