Sir Derek Jacobi has been a favourite actor of mine ever since I saw him in the BBC production of Shakespeare’s Richard II.
His autobiography “As Luck Would Have It” is as warm and as sweet as you would expect from this lovely man.
He is open and honest about his career and his personal problems, but at no point does he invite you to feel sorry for him. It’s very much “this is me; this is what happened”. No excuses and no bullshit.
“As Luck Would Have It” is also chock-a-block with delightful theatrical anecdotes and bon mots. I was reduced to helpless giggles many times during my reading of the book.
In many ways “As Luck Would Have It” is a throwback to the old style of theatrical memoir. It has a warm, friendly feel to it, lots of wonderful stories, and no decorating of other actor’s shoulder blades with metaphorical knife hilts, as has become so common in recent years.
His recollections of the four times he played Hamlet make for wonderful reading for any dedicated Shakespeare aficionado.
I can’t recommend “As Luck Would Have It” highly enough. I think it would be of particular interest to those interested in English theatre, the early days of the National Theatre, those who enjoy a good, old fashioned memoir, and fans of Sir Derek.
margysmusings 