SharkInfested Waters, Michael Whitehall
SharkInfested Waters, Michael Whitehall
List: $31.99 | Sale: $22.40
Club: $15.99

Shark-Infested Waters

Author: Michael Whitehall

Narrator: Michael Whitehall

Unabridged: 8 hr 18 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/05/2026


Synopsis

Theatrical agent, Michael Whitehall, has been involved with the careers of many eminent actors from Kenneth More, Tom Courtenay, Colin Firth, Dorothy Tutin, Edward Fox, Jack Davenport, Judi Dench, Ian Charleson, Peter Bowles, Elaine Stritch, Richard E Grant, Danie Day-Lewis, David Hemmings and Richard Griffiths amongst others.

In Shark-Infested Waters, Michael Whitehall contrasts the glamorous image of theatrical life with the mundane realities of the business, while passing on some startling trade secrets along the way. A laconic raconteur of refreshingly un-starstruck theatrical anecdotes, Whitehall deftly sketches the social comedy of his eccentric background: growing up in suburban London in the 1950s, his schooldays at Ampleforth and his subsequent adventures as a prep schoolmaster - worthy of Evelyn Waugh himself - before becoming an actors' agent.

The result is a charming, funny and piquant view of a world that continues to fascinate.

About Michael Whitehall

Michael Whitehall was a leading theatrical agent and producer, whose clients included Nigel Havers, Edward Fox, Judi Dench and Colin Firth. He produced The Good Guys, Noah's Ark and Element of Doubt for ITV, as well as numerous theatrical productions around the UK and in the West End. He appeared with Jack on their show Backchat for the BBC and subsequently 5 series of Travels With My Father for Netflix. A regular guest in Dictionary Corner on Channel 4's Countdown, he also co hosted Hard To Please OAP's for ITV as well as appearing on Celebrity Gogglebox for Stand Up To Cancer with Jack and Hilary.His books include Shark Infested Waters, Backing Into The Spotlight and Him and Me co-authored with Jack.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Phil on December 29, 2021

Like many others I came across Michael Whitehall through his work with his son, but it's great to read how he worked his way up in a time when fortune really did favour the brave! A well written book, some lovely little anecdotes and shows a much milder side to his personality.......more

Goodreads review by Adrienne on June 26, 2022

Entertaining enough. Would have enjoyed it more if I were more familiar with British actors who feature in the book. But it was fine.......more

Goodreads review by Sharon on September 27, 2021

A TRULY ACCOMPLISHED GENTLEMAN WHO BEGS TO DIFFER ON THAT! I read this after "Backing Into The Spotlight." (Equally fabulous!) Some of what's in this is in BOS, which didn't bother me at all, I was so riveted! Mr. Whitehall's perspective on life is just hysterical! I read most of it while in a hospit......more


Quotes

Michael has always been, and will always be, the funniest Whitehall. I've heard his stories a thousand times and still love them like I'm listening to them for the first time. Thankfully this book ends before he has children, so I can't be thrown under the bus

The funniest show business memoir I've read since David Niven's The Moon's a Balloon

This is a treasure trove of entertaining anecdotes . . . a stylish and extremely amusing memoir

It's a portrait of an era - and a world - and a unique individual - executed con brio. I couldn't have liked it more

I adored this achingly funny book. So will you

He spills the beans on the stars and their pampered prima-donna ways. A hilarious memoir