David Barry's autobiography spans almost five decades of theatre, film and television experience. As a 14 year old he toured Europe with Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh in one of the most prestigious post-war theatre tours. Vivien Leigh took a shine to him and he saw both sides of her close up. One minute she was sweetness and light, and the next she became a screaming harridan as she publicly berated Sir Laurence. In his early twenties, he starred as Frankie Abbott in the hit television sitcoms Please, Sir! and Fenn Street Gang, and those days are recounted with great humour. Hilarious events unfold as he describes working with dodgy producers and touring with argumentative actors. His is a story that covers everything from the pitfalls of working in live television to performing with hard drinking actors. 'Imagine yourself travelling - as a member of the company - with a train-load of top stars to the great cities of Europe.' Daily Express
I have been an actor for almost 50 years having started as a child actor, and worked on stage with Paul Scofield, Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh. I played Frankie Abbott in the 70s sitcoms Please, Sir! and Fenn Street Gang. In the '80s I wrote for Keep It in the Family for Thames TV, and I've appeared in countless theatre and TV productions, including episodes of The Bill and A Mind to Kill. My first novel, Each Man Kills, (Gomer Press) a police thriller, was published in 2002. My autobiography, Flashback (Authorsonline), was published in 2006, and includes childhood memoirs of touring Europe in Titus Andronicus in 1957 with Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh with the first British theatre company to perform behind the Iron Curtain. I wrote a historical/crime novel, based on a true story. This is called Willie the Actor and is available as an e-book on Kindle. I have has also written a children's book The Ice Cream Time Machine, which was published by Libros International in 2009, and has now been republished by AUK Ltd and is available as a Kindle. My latest book, Mr Micawber Down Under was published in hardback by Robert Hale Books in October 2011. I have two grown up children and live in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
www.davidbarryauthor.co.uk
