Next Season cover art

Next Season

A Novel

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Next Season

By: Michael Blakemore
Narrated by: Philip Bird
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About this listen

"Michael Blakemore, the actor/director, has written a marvellous novel about how it is to be an actor, and at the same time one of the most realistic modern love stories I have ever read." (New Stateman)

A novel from the director of the film Country Life. A young actor struggles to make his way in the theatre, experiencing the quick, intense relationships that flare within the closed world of the theatre as he acts out small, solid roles with a famous classical company outside of London.

©1968 Michael Blakemore (P)2013 Joyful Productions Contemporary Fiction Genre Fiction Celebrity Theatre

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Critic reviews

"This novel is the finest fictional celebration of the passionate craft of the actor." (Simon Callow)
"An accomplished, unpretentious and illuminating novel." (Times Literary Supplement)
"As a rule theatre novels do not get written by theatre workers so much as by stage-struck outsiders or ex-pros taking a cynical backward view. Next Season is an exception, and an outstanding one ... he views the profession through the eyes of a struggling small-part actor whose story is charged with an extraordinary sense of urgency." (The Times)
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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

As the great Michael Frayn stated, "It's unfair that Michael Blakemore, one of the world's great theatre directors, is also such a good writer!" Simon Callow adored this book too. Anyone even remotely interested in acting will love this book - it is a pitch perfect account of a young man striving to learn his craft in rep in 1960's England. Beautifully drawn characters abound, and, crucially, the innate humour of Michael Blakemore shines through. A perfect gem. And a touching, realistic love story too....

Have you listened to any of Philip Bird’s other performances? How does this one compare?

As usual, Philip Bird brings his considerable intelligence to the narration. There are many and varied voices in this book and all the characterisations and accents are spot on. Masterful.

Any additional comments?

Theatre lovers should also find Arguments with England, Michael Blakemore's memoir and the second volume, the recently launched, Stageblood, irresistible.

Truthful, candid and brilliant

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Having been involved in the days of theatre rep - this book had me cringing one minute and in stitches the next. Very true to life - if you know the world of touring theatre - listen to this. Thoroughly recommended.

A must read for any thespians of the rep days

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Lovely observations. Comic and cruel. Vivid characters. True sense of what goes into making a production from props to critics; friends and heartache. Wonderful narrator Philip Bird...the best character actor ever.

Timeless 'Actor's Life' story.

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