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Title: As Luck Would Have It

Author: Derek Jacobi

Narrator: Derek Jacobi

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-12-13

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

Star of stage, screen and television, and one of only two people to be awarded two Knighthoods, Sir Derek Jacobi is one of Britains most distinguished actors. If you want to be an actor, dont. If you need to be an actor, do.

The world of theatre could not have been further from Dereks childhood: an only child, born in Leytonstone, London. With his father a department store manager father and his mother a secretary, his was very much a working class background. But nonetheless Derek always knew he was going to be an actor, and he remembers clearly the first time he was in costume - draping himself in his mothers glorious wedding veil as he paraded up and down the Essex Road with his friends.

A few short years later, at the age of seven, Derek made his acting debut, playing both lead roles in a local library production of The Prince and the Swineherd. During his final year at school the National Youth Theatre cast Derek as Hamlet (his most famed role) for the first time. Shortly after this he won a scholarship to Cambridge, where he studied and acted alongside other future acting greats including Ian McKellen.

His talent was quickly recognised and in 1963 he was invited to become one of the first members of Laurence Oliviers National Theatre. Often admired for his willingness to grapple with even the most dislikeable of characters, Derek Jacobi has worked continuously throughout his career, starring in roles ranging from the lead in I, Claudius to Hitler in Inside the Third Reich and Francis Bacon in the controversial Love Is The Devil. But it is his numerous Shakespearean roles that have gained him worldwide recognition.

This book is, however, much more than a career record. Funny, warm and honest, Jacobi brings us his insiders view on the world of acting. From a simple childhood in the East End to the height of fame on stage and screen, Derek recalls his journey in full: from the beginnings of his childhood dreams to the legendary productions, the renowned stars and the intimate off-stage moments.

Members Reviews:

A career in the Classical Theatre

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I found the earlier parts of his autobiography much more interesting: as he was growing up, finding his acting feet, and learning the ropes at the hands of a wild variety of directors. After that, though, I felt it often became a mere roll-call of his illustrious roles, with analysis of how he tackled particularly significant productions. I guess 60 years of acting at the National etc would tend to produce such an approach but it became more than a tad boring, to be honest.

What was most disappointing about Derek Jacobis story?

I'd have preferred him to have come off the stage more, and talk about his life in general! For example, he's only one of two people ever to have been twice-knighted, so I was shocked that the only reference to this considerable honour was a throw-away along the lines of: "After I was knighted...".