Being David Archer, Timothy Bentinck
Being David Archer, Timothy Bentinck
List: $24.99 | Sale: $17.50
Club: $12.49

Being David Archer
And Other Unusual Ways of Earning a Living

Author: Timothy Bentinck

Narrator: Timothy Bentinck

Unabridged: 9 hr 45 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 10/05/2017

Synopsis

Timothy Bentinck has played the part of David Archer in BBC Radio 4's The Archers since 1982. He is also the Earl of Portland and the voice of 'Mind The Gap' on the Piccadilly Line. Aimed primarily at the five million regular Archers listeners, Timothy takes the reader behind the scenes of the longest running drama series in the world, a British institution with a theme tune that Billy Connolly wants to be the National Anthem.

But that's not all. With wry, self-deprecating humour, Timothy recounts his enormously varied life - a successful actor in TV, film and theatre, a voice specialist working in every vocal medium. He's also been an HGV truck driver, a US tour guide, a computer programmer and website designer, an inventor with UK and US patents, farm worker, house renovator and he sat as a crossbencher in the House of Lords for three years.

Unlike many acting memoirs, this isn't a succession of thespian tales of freezing digs, forgotten lines and name dropping. This is an articulate, funny and thoughtful account of how to survive an insecure life.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Caroline on January 13, 2018

A good introduction to what it is like to be a jobbing actor, especially one that does radio work and voice overs. I warmed to him -he name-dropped a bit (especially with his own name - Earl of Portland), but he also laughed at himself and his shortcomings. Besides being an actor he is also an inven......more

Goodreads review by Karen on January 29, 2019

You don’t have to be an Archers fan to enjoy this book which tells the everyday story of a jobbing actor. It does however give some lovely behind the Ambridge scenes for those who enjoy the 15 minutes of escapism each day with the!world’s longest running serial drama.......more

Goodreads review by Tansy on February 22, 2020

I really enjoyed this - it's light, funny and an interesting insight into the world of acting below the radar. Dubbing, instruction manuals, computer games, announcements, training guides - all the things you never think about. It helps that I'ma big Archers fan, of course.......more

Goodreads review by Andy on November 01, 2022

You have to be a real Archers addict (I once was!) to enjoy this book. Informative about the life of an Archers actor but some of the anecdotes are plain dull.......more

Goodreads review by Alison on January 29, 2022

A nice easy read which provides a glimpse into the life of a jobbing actor.......more

Quotes

Stylish, very funny memoir Daily Mail

Hilarious Mail on Sunday

[Tim] recounts his enormously varied life with his own brand of wry, self-deprecating humour . . . As well as taking readers behind the scenes of The Archers, Tim's autobiography also provides a funny and thoughtful account of how to survive the insecure life of a jobbing actor Countryside

Very informative and highly entertaining Lynn News

Frank and realistic . . . the book ought to be required reading for all drama students The Lady

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