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A Piece of Work: Playing Shakespeare and Other Stories
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.
- GenresShakespeareNonfiction
352 pages, Hardcover
Published September 5, 2024
21 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 10, 2025
Simon Russell Beale is one of the UK's most valued Shakespearean actors. This book is his auto biography of his life set around the various Shakespeare plays he has performed in both abroad and more importantly his work at the shakespeare Theatre in Stratford and the National Theatre in London.
An honest and engaging account especially if, like me, you are interested in Shakespeare and the background of his plays interpretation.
An honest and engaging account especially if, like me, you are interested in Shakespeare and the background of his plays interpretation.
January 9, 2025
Warm and insightful - lots of interesting thoughts on verse-speaking. I only wish I'd been able to see more of his performances.
March 10, 2025
A fabulous memoir by one of the greatest actors of our time.
Simon Russell Beale headlines productions at the RSC and consistently sells out shows, yet his memoir is surprisingly modest. perfections, good fortune, and the extraordinary talent of the actors and directors he's had the privilege of working alongside. Rather than dwelling on his successes, he's candid and engaging about his setbacks—such as being passed over for Clive Owen or playing second fiddle to Ralph Fiennes and Stephen Fry. We even get a glimpse of his insecurities and unpleasant characteristics: after sustained an injury during Richard III, he pestered Sam Mendes from the hospital repeatedly, until Sam eventually asked him to stop calling because the conversations were emotionally taxing.
His accomplishments are incidental mentions rather than centre-stage in the narrative—throughout the 1990s and 2000s, it was unusual to see a National Theatre production without him; dinner with Lauren Bacall; sharing crossword puzzles with Stephen Sondheim. His near-complete performance of Shakespeare's leading roles (Hamlet, Macbeth, Falstaff, Prospero, Lear, the list goes on) speaks volumes.
The memoir also offers insightful reflections on Beale's artistic process. First is the importance of widening your repertoire: he warmly recalls playing Konstantin in Chekhov's "The Seagull" under Terry Hands and Ariel in "The Tempest" with Sam Mendes, roles that significantly broadened his range and prevented him from being typecast as a comedic type. Indeed, his career spans an impressive breadth—from Shakespeare and Restoration Comedy to contemporary dramas like "The Lehman Trilogy," works by Tom Stoppard, and even the musical "Spamalot."
Second, SRB emphasises continuous learning. Whether mastering the art of ballet dancing for "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," learning how to present a BBC documentary, taking workshops at the RSC, or reading Proust, Vikram Seth, and Shakespearean criticism, his demanding intellectual curiosity and continual student posture is evident.
Thirdly, the book underscores the critical role of personal networks in Beale’s career. His longstanding relationships with directors like Sam Mendes and Nicholas Hytner have clearly been instrumental throughout his distinguished career.
Lastly, SRB’s extreme work ethic is clear: the RSC schedule permitted one evening off a year, and his demanding productivity speaks to his relentless hard work.
The memoir is a delightful read—a inspiring prompt to revisit, or newly discover, Simon Russell Beale’s remarkable performances.
Simon Russell Beale headlines productions at the RSC and consistently sells out shows, yet his memoir is surprisingly modest. perfections, good fortune, and the extraordinary talent of the actors and directors he's had the privilege of working alongside. Rather than dwelling on his successes, he's candid and engaging about his setbacks—such as being passed over for Clive Owen or playing second fiddle to Ralph Fiennes and Stephen Fry. We even get a glimpse of his insecurities and unpleasant characteristics: after sustained an injury during Richard III, he pestered Sam Mendes from the hospital repeatedly, until Sam eventually asked him to stop calling because the conversations were emotionally taxing.
His accomplishments are incidental mentions rather than centre-stage in the narrative—throughout the 1990s and 2000s, it was unusual to see a National Theatre production without him; dinner with Lauren Bacall; sharing crossword puzzles with Stephen Sondheim. His near-complete performance of Shakespeare's leading roles (Hamlet, Macbeth, Falstaff, Prospero, Lear, the list goes on) speaks volumes.
The memoir also offers insightful reflections on Beale's artistic process. First is the importance of widening your repertoire: he warmly recalls playing Konstantin in Chekhov's "The Seagull" under Terry Hands and Ariel in "The Tempest" with Sam Mendes, roles that significantly broadened his range and prevented him from being typecast as a comedic type. Indeed, his career spans an impressive breadth—from Shakespeare and Restoration Comedy to contemporary dramas like "The Lehman Trilogy," works by Tom Stoppard, and even the musical "Spamalot."
Second, SRB emphasises continuous learning. Whether mastering the art of ballet dancing for "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," learning how to present a BBC documentary, taking workshops at the RSC, or reading Proust, Vikram Seth, and Shakespearean criticism, his demanding intellectual curiosity and continual student posture is evident.
Thirdly, the book underscores the critical role of personal networks in Beale’s career. His longstanding relationships with directors like Sam Mendes and Nicholas Hytner have clearly been instrumental throughout his distinguished career.
Lastly, SRB’s extreme work ethic is clear: the RSC schedule permitted one evening off a year, and his demanding productivity speaks to his relentless hard work.
The memoir is a delightful read—a inspiring prompt to revisit, or newly discover, Simon Russell Beale’s remarkable performances.
October 30, 2024
Time flies when you follow a great actors career! I have been lucky to see most of the plays & roles Simon Russell Beale talks about in his new book (& many others that he doesn't) as he mainly focuses on the big Shakespeare roles that have meant so much to him over the years. It's fascinating to read about his dramatic choices & reasonings & his close creative relationships with so many top stage directors who quite obviously love & respect him personally & professionally. Also loved the photographs which brought back a lot of memories & I concur that he should have another shot at MacBeth & King Lear & perhaps now a Henry IV....
January 5, 2025
An autobiography with a difference, focusing on the Shakespearean roles he has played over the years and how he interpreted and understood each part and each role. Made special in that I can remember seeing many of these performances. I will now need to re-read the plays!
July 28, 2025
Sir Simon has written an eloquent, delicious, highly intelligent memoir of his life and his art. He is witty, erudite, vulnerable and self-deprecating. I can't recommend this highly enough to theater lovers or just lovers of memoirs.
September 27, 2025
engaging and insightful memoir from one of our best actors. Thoughtful takes on Shakespeare, mixed with self deprecating enjoyable reflections on life and career. Best paired w his Private Passions on Radio 3.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews