Standing Naked in the Wings: Anecdotes from Canadian Actors

by Lynda Green

This delightful collection is the only work to bring together first-hand stories form Canada's acting community. Funny, shocking, embarassing and poignant, these are the stories actors tell each other, providing an intimate glimpse into the world behind the camera and beyond the footlights. Arranged thematically, it starts with "The BUg Bites", a chapter that focuses on early acting experiences ranging from William Shatner's first stage appearance and the evolution of Martin Short's "Ed Grimley" character, to Wayne and Shuster's initial meeting with Ed Sullivan. Other chapters look at mentor's, directors and producers, working with kids and animals, missed cues and lines, touring, audiences and fans, pranks and escapades, and live radio and T.V. performances. "Big Wigs and Legends" contains anecdotes starring names like Paul Newman, Henry Fonda, Sir John Gielgud, Julie Andrews, Vanessa Redgrave, Steven Spielberg, Richard Burton, Barbra Streisand, Laurence Olivier, and Katherine Hepburn. Included are many stories from the Stratford Festival: Scott wentworth cracking up during Richard III, an actor on stage catching fire during a production of Othello, and William Hutt's dying in an unconventional manner when Christpher Plummer's Hamlet could not get his sword out of the scabbard (Polonius' death did not look accidental). Along the way you'll find "Bare Bods and Bodily Functions", which includes an anecdote by Bruce Breenwood that begins intriguingly "Standing naked in the wings before an entrance...," as well as "Stunts and FXS", which includes Timothy Findley's story from the first season of Stratford in 1953, when he had to make a ten-foot leap (from the balustrade) through the dark...and not land on Alec Guiness, whose single spotlight was the only light there was." Brought together by two veteran Canadian actors, An Actor, Eh? features a star-studded cast giving the performances of their lives.

304 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1998

Reviews

[Megan Gilchrist · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating anecdotal memoir about life in Canadian Theatre. Some of the stories are a bit dated (and would never happen now), but overall a warm and funny collection of reminiscences. If you enjoy theatre it's a good read.

[Mary Styles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this years ago but it is always worth a re-read. With theatres closed right now, this book will fill you with laughs, moments of reflection and personal stories from Canada’s best thespians. Bravo!

[Jami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I understand the desire to have a comprehensive book of anecdotes from Canadian actors, but at the same time, felt the book could use some editing. Many long stories with details not necessary for the punchline (if there was one), & in one case the same anecdote was quoted consecutively from two different actors. It was plodding reading & I wasn't sure I would finish once I started. What's there is good, but would be better with trimming!

[SM Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This reread was a nostalgia trip. I got this book as a gift when I started my stage management career, and there are a lot of names mentioned of people I knew. Also a lot of the scenarios and stories are familiar - tales of disasters past told at the bar. A fun book and a great piece of Canadian theatre history.