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Actress
Mitchell has used her own experiences as a guide for aspiring actors and actresses
111 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1957
2 people want to read
About the author
Yvonne Mitchell
14 books5 followersYvonne Mitchell (born Yvonne Frances Joseph) was an English actress and author. She was a theatre and film/television actor throughout her life.
Mitchell was also an established author, writing several books for children and adults as well as winning awards for playwriting. Her plays include "The Same Sky". She wrote an acclaimed biography of the French writer Colette, and her own autobiography, "Actress", was published in 1957.
Author of: "The Bed-Sitter" (1959), "A Year in Time " (1964), "Cathy Away" (1964), and "The Family" (1967), "Martha on Sunday" (1970), "But Wednesday Cried" (1974), "God is Inexperienced" (1974), "Fables" (1977), and "But Answer Came There None" (1977).
Mitchell was also an established author, writing several books for children and adults as well as winning awards for playwriting. Her plays include "The Same Sky". She wrote an acclaimed biography of the French writer Colette, and her own autobiography, "Actress", was published in 1957.
Author of: "The Bed-Sitter" (1959), "A Year in Time " (1964), "Cathy Away" (1964), and "The Family" (1967), "Martha on Sunday" (1970), "But Wednesday Cried" (1974), "God is Inexperienced" (1974), "Fables" (1977), and "But Answer Came There None" (1977).
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
September 12, 2025
A narrative of Yvonne's beginnings in acting school and the theatre. 'Actress' has a biographical feel. Yvonne Mitchell's personal experience and observations in the world of repertoire, theatre, film, and television are conversation-like. With advice entwined with Yvonne's own stories of touring, bedsits, landladies and, as a stagehand, shifting the scenery, working on the lighting. You get an insider's view of the pre-war, war years and after of Yvonne's working ethic. For a spell as a Red Cross nurse from 6.30 in the morning till 6.30 in the evening, down Edgware Road tube station, nursing, and fire-watching, these were all part of Mitchell's life while making her mark in the theatre. This is a truly lovely read, beautifully written, where Yvonne Mitchell takes the lead in her own story with a one-to-one telling with the reader.
As a way into Yvonne’s later novels, the reading of Actress gives the reader a personal introduction to Yvonne herself. Most autobiographies typically conclude at the end of a career or profession; here we start at the early years of Yvonne’s acting. Written at the time as a guide for others in style and what the world of stage and theatre entails. Coming to this book now much later and, sadly, after Yvonne’s death, when at the still young age of 63. This is a delightful read, as a starting point, ideal.
As a way into Yvonne’s later novels, the reading of Actress gives the reader a personal introduction to Yvonne herself. Most autobiographies typically conclude at the end of a career or profession; here we start at the early years of Yvonne’s acting. Written at the time as a guide for others in style and what the world of stage and theatre entails. Coming to this book now much later and, sadly, after Yvonne’s death, when at the still young age of 63. This is a delightful read, as a starting point, ideal.
Displaying 1 of 1 review