Richard Stone (I)

Benny Hill, David Jason, Victoria Wood, Dave Allen - just a few of the top names in entertainment who feature in this enthralling autobiography of their agent, Richard Stone. Stone has many a revealing tale to tell from his half-century as impresario and theatrical agent. He tells us what the stars are really like without the greasepaint, and how they feel when their show is a fabulous success - or an unimagined disaster.

Looking back to the days when the show at the end of the pier was the highlight of the great British seaside holiday, Stone tells of the artistes who struggled up and slipped down the greasy pole of success. He had to cope with backstage disaster, empty houses and quarrelsome performers, both in small, provincial theatres and the glamourous West End. And then, of course, had the unsurpassable thrill of a star being born and an unexpected hit.

First published: Tuesday 12th December 2000