Centre Stage

by Nunn Judy

1970 was indeed the year that shaped Maddy's destiny. It was the year she went to NADA, and it was the year she met Alex...

Alex Rainford has it all. He's sexy, charismatic and adored by fans the world over. But he is not all he seems. What spectre from the past is driving him ever closer to evil? And who will fall under his spell along the way.

Madeleine Frances, beautiful stage and screen actress. Years before she escaped Alex's fatal charm, but now she is forced to confront hoim once again... and reveal her devastating secret.

Susannah Wright, the finest classical actress of her generation. Not even her awesome talent can save her from Alex's dangerous charisma.

Imogen McLaughlin, the promising young actress whose biggest career break could be her greatest downfall. She wants Alex Rainford - but she doesnt know that he has the power to destroy her...

Centre Stage is a tantalising glimpse into the world of theatre and what goes on when the spotlight dims and the curtain falls.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Ebooks

492 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Sue Gerhardt Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I find books set in the theatre and the TV industry exhilarating and so much fun to read about. Centre Stage by Judy Nunn is an enticing glance into the world of theatre which had me completely mesmerised.



Listened to the audio via BorrowBox
Published by Penguin Random House Australia Audio
Narrated by Zoe Carides
Duration: 18 hrs, 57 min. 1.25x Speed

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5★ I really enjoyed this earlier read of Judy Nunn's set in and around the theatre industry. I didn't feel like the theatre bits were too involved, as some reviews have suggested, but I could have done without some of the graphic sex scenes. I understand that there were some that were necessary to the story, but there were some that were gratuitous.

But it's a cleverly written story with some interesting twists at the end - I almost felt like I was reading a Jeffrey Archer at one point as the plot twisted and turned!

It's an easy and undemanding read - a great book for over the holidays!

[Dianna Applebaum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow start and all a bit meh and unbelievable. It did improve as I read on.

[Tinamariee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more than the first Judy Nunn book 'The Glitter Game'. I was able to get into the book, the storyline was good and the shifting between characters was also good. The ending was a surprise that I wasn't expecting but overall a good read I thought.

[Colemore · Rating 3 out of 5]

The majority of people that go to drama school do not end up being famous and making skill ions of dollars. So when everyone in this story does it seems a little too hard to believe. Well written but not very believable.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst book ever!

I kept reading and reading sure that it would get better but it never did. Hours of my life wasted!

Why is incest such a popular topic in books released in the past 20 years?

[Andy Daykin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like this was a much better offering than the Glitter Game with less characters allowing the author to really flesh them out. All of the main characters were interesting and in Alex, Judy has written a truly terrifying anti-hero.

The story moves at a brisk pace which piqued my interest in the direction of the story.

Having read over four hundred pages my mind was still awash with possible endings but I was completely stunned by the finale. Well played!

[Rita Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex Rainford captivates everyone he meets - women and men - from young NADA students, male and female, to an old queen of the theatre. He marries Mandy, whom he met at NADA and has a lifelong friendship with Julian. It is Julian whom he inspires to write plays, based on Alex's life. It is Julian who realises that Alex is fascinated and mesmerised by death and Julian who first realises Alex is bordering on madness. A real page turner.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read of Judy Nunn’s ( first being Black Sheep). She is an excellent storyteller. I was drawn to this book because of the theatre and film element. It was an enjoyable read and originally I was going to give the book a four star rating but I really struggled with the ending. I look forward to reading more of her novels in the future.

[Dayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book needed a better edit. There was so much superfluous character description and story that it just served as distraction rather than adding to the story. I considered DNFing this book, given its length and slow starting pace. I persevered and was rewarded with a captivating middle only for it to fizzle out at the end in a series of inconsistent character choices and confusing allusion.

[Joquithe Manricks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read a few of Judy’s books and have loved them. But not this one not up to Judy’s usual standard. I abandoned it after about a third of the book. Still a big fan and will read her other books.

[Sarah Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a holiday read, then Centre Stage will fit the bill - the twists were predictable - an easy read.

[Codes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favourite Judy Nunn book, but an easy read and always enjoyable to read a book set in Australia.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Judy Nunn masterpiece!! I couldn’t put the book down, it had me hooked from the start.

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a basic read, I finished it, but I found myself drifting off at times.

[Diane Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read! I enjoyed it.

[Glenys Bishop]

An enjoyable story set in England, mainly London, and Australia, mainly Sydney, with a very sharp climax towards the end.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of Judy Nunn's earlier novels, and although good I have enjoyed her later historical novels more. The characters put their careers in the theatre above all else and it was interesting to see how they interacted with each other and their families. The ending was unexpected, but very fitting to the story.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to get into if you're not a theatre person. Parts that are supposed to be suspenseful or funny etc. will be lost on those who don't care for the world of stage theatre. I'm probably reading on for the sake of being too proud not to finish something I've started.

[Leanne Shelton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some real thrilling moments and great twists but sometimes it dragged on a bit too much with theatre references and introducing too many new characters at once. Found it slow to read in the middle but really enjoyable to read the second half.

[Lianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this better then her first book.

[Johanna Rooy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read and enjoyable

[Gay Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Judy Nunn tells a pretty good story. It helps I guess when you have been in the business of acting for many years and privy to the lives of actors, directors and producers. I felt this story was a little drawn out, but was almost justified by the twist toward the end that really caught me off guard. I like it when I can’t predict what’s coming, and I am never disappointed with Ms Nunn’s novels. I will keep returning every now and then.