A Moment Towards the End of the Play: An Autobiography

by Timothy West

Known - and loved - for his many TV appearances in Brass and as the embodiment of Edward VII, Thomas Beecham and Winston Churchill, Timothy West has led a charmed life as an actor, moving effortlessly between TV and stage, film and radio recordings. With his wife, Prunella Scales, and his son, Samuel, he and his family have been responsible for much of the best that stage and screen have had to offer in recent years. 'A theatrical memoir that doesn't cloy, and is filled with insight, wit and a sense of the ultimate absurdity of life' (Judith Flanders, TLS )

Genres: 20th Century

10 pages, Audio Cassette

First published April 13, 2001

About the author

Timothy Lancaster West was an English actor and presenter. He appeared frequently on stage and television, including stints in both Coronation Street (as Eric Babbage) and EastEnders (as Stan Carter), and Not Going Out, as the original Geoffrey Adams. He was married to the actress Prunella Scales. From 2014 to 2024, they travelled together on UK and overseas canals in the Channel 4 series Great Canal Journeys.

Reviews

[Len · Rating 4 out of 5]

The life of a working actor. Timothy West was never a leading actor, I am not sure his ambition was to be a star. He was capable of carrying a star part and leading a company but his real talent was as a character actor, or supporting actor, whatever term is your choice. He worked his way through repertory and made his way on the stage. From temporary box office manager at Frinton Summer Theatre, the New Theatre, Hull, as a young actor, to the Royal Shakespeare Company with Glenda Jackson and Peter Hall directing, and the Old Vic with Paul Scofield and Ian McKellen. On the journey also directing and running theatres, having a film career - Nicholas and Alexandra and The Day of the Jackal among the movies, and establishing a flourishing TV career with Hard Times, The Monocled Mutineer and Brass among many dramas and comedies. As Mr. West points out, his experience in repertory prepared him for just about everything.

In addition to describing his career and his marriage to Prunella Scales - such a talented actor, she ended being best known as Sybil in Fawlty Towers - he makes a point of explaining the ins and outs of his acting technique, the requirements for playing a variety of Shakespearian roles and surviving in the acting business. A part of his career has been as an educator pushing aspiring actors away from the apparent safety of a one role life in a TV soap and towards learning how to act.

He is not shy of a theatrical anecdote. His difficulties in dealing with Peter O'Toole in a production of Macbeth when O'Toole insisted on using inflatable scenery. Something he claimed to have developed with a company in Ireland. Then there was failing to recognise Laurence Olivier in the staff canteen while filming Nicholas and Alexandra and jumping up to reprimand him for sitting at the director's reserved table.

It is all a very enjoyable read and Mr. West just about keeps his political views under wraps. He does not hide the hardships of an actor's life, the insecurity, the constant travelling, the sheer hard effort of making it work to your own benefit. It is well worth a read to step a little away from the limelight and join the supporting cast.

[Julie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book for years. I remember reading it and enjoying it, so when I decided to have a clear-out of my books, I thought I'd read it again before donating it to a charity shop. Having just finished it today, I've decided it's one of the few books I really can't bear to give away, so I'm keeping it.

There are many things that I love about the book; mainly, I think, the author's style. He has a dry wit and there is a wry comment on almost every page. His insights into the theatre world are entertaining and illuminating and while there are mentions of some very famous actors and directors, they didn't come across as name-dropping. There weren't any earth-shattering revelations in its pages - just a thoughtful memoir of Timothy West's career, including some references to his family. The sort of book to pick up and read a couple of chapters of before bed, or on a peaceful Sunday afternoon sitting in the garden.

The book was written before Prunella Scales' dementia was diagnosed which gave it an added poignancy to me. Apparently there is an audio version, unabridged and read by the author, but I have only seen it available as a cassette, for a price that reflects its rarity. A pity, as I'm sure it would be great to listen to.