Now and Then
Published on 10. March 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
130 pages
978-1-0686052-3-9 (ISBN)
Description
Director and screenwriter Billy Wilder said, on his 92nd birthday, "I
think I wasted my eighties."
Motivated by Wilder's disclosure as he approached his own eighth
decade, actor, director, and writer Leigh Lawson embarked on a quest to
assemble some of his previously unpublished poems, written during an
astonishing 60-year career.
This captivating first collection is accompanied by a background of
fascinating memories, intriguing stories, and anecdotes from around the time of
each poem's appearance.
Sometimes very funny, sometimes alarmingly moving, Now and Then is the extraordinary
journey of a life from poverty and abuse to achievement and fulfilment,
throughout which poetry has played a major role.
think I wasted my eighties."
Motivated by Wilder's disclosure as he approached his own eighth
decade, actor, director, and writer Leigh Lawson embarked on a quest to
assemble some of his previously unpublished poems, written during an
astonishing 60-year career.
This captivating first collection is accompanied by a background of
fascinating memories, intriguing stories, and anecdotes from around the time of
each poem's appearance.
Sometimes very funny, sometimes alarmingly moving, Now and Then is the extraordinary
journey of a life from poverty and abuse to achievement and fulfilment,
throughout which poetry has played a major role.
Reviews / Votes
"A beguiling collection with a huge heart: there really is something for everyone here." Kitty Aldridge"Leigh Lawson illustrates each poem with great stories. I love this book." Allie Esiri
"These are beautiful poems that will lift your spirits and make you laugh and cry and think. Leigh Lawson's poetry is a real discovery - funny, touching, original, thought-provoking." Gyles Brandreth
"A gem of a book; his love of life shines strong and the accompanying anecdotes and memories all reveal a life lived to the full with both humour and deep emotion." Caroline Hutton
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Manchester
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 134 mm
Width: 197 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
160 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-0686052-3-9 (9781068605239)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Leigh Lawson was born in 1943 in Warwickshire and trained at Mountview
Academy and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
He has played leading roles at The Royal Shakespeare Company, The
National Theatre, in the West End, and on Broadway. In the theatre he has
worked with directors including Peter Hall, Peter Gill, Adrian Noble, Michael
Rudman, and Sean Mathias. He has played principal roles in over 20 feature
films, including Brother Sun, Sister Moon (dir. Franco Zeffirelli), Love Among the Ruins (dir. George Cukor), The Devil's Advocate (dir. Guy Green), Tess (dir. Roman Polanski), Madame Sousatzka
(dir. John Schlesinger), Being Julia
(dir. Istvan Szabo), and Casanova
(dir. Lasse Hallstroem). His many television appearances include the lead roles
in the series Travelling Man
(Granada), Kinsey (BBC), and Stick with Me, Kid (Disney); plus numerous television shows, films, and mini-series in both England and America.
He has directed plays in the UK and the USA.
His first book, The Dream: An Actor's
Story, was published in 2008.
Leigh lives in London with his wife, actress and model, Twiggy. They
have two children.
Now and Then is Leigh's first
collection of poetry.
Academy and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
He has played leading roles at The Royal Shakespeare Company, The
National Theatre, in the West End, and on Broadway. In the theatre he has
worked with directors including Peter Hall, Peter Gill, Adrian Noble, Michael
Rudman, and Sean Mathias. He has played principal roles in over 20 feature
films, including Brother Sun, Sister Moon (dir. Franco Zeffirelli), Love Among the Ruins (dir. George Cukor), The Devil's Advocate (dir. Guy Green), Tess (dir. Roman Polanski), Madame Sousatzka
(dir. John Schlesinger), Being Julia
(dir. Istvan Szabo), and Casanova
(dir. Lasse Hallstroem). His many television appearances include the lead roles
in the series Travelling Man
(Granada), Kinsey (BBC), and Stick with Me, Kid (Disney); plus numerous television shows, films, and mini-series in both England and America.
He has directed plays in the UK and the USA.
His first book, The Dream: An Actor's
Story, was published in 2008.
Leigh lives in London with his wife, actress and model, Twiggy. They
have two children.
Now and Then is Leigh's first
collection of poetry.