Almost Famous

Few people''s careers have spanned as many aspects of the show business world as have Robin Hawdon''s. From stage, TV, and film actor (who came close to being James Bond), to playwright performed in over forty countries, to West End stage director, to mainstream Theatre Director, to five star novelist, his activities include both triumphs and major setbacks.

In the course of such a long career he has either worked with, or encountered, some of the most famous names around. From the British stage, John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson, Laurence Olivier, John Mills, Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce, and Michael Crawford. From Hollywood, such as Charlton Heston, Lauren Bacall, Deborah Kerr, Vivien Leigh, Elizabeth Taylor, Warren Beatty, and Judy Garland. From the world of comedy, Kenneth Williams, Frankie Howerd, Terry Scott, Peter Cook, and Dudley Moore. From politics, Harold Macmillan, Anthony Wedgewood Benn, and Chris Patten. And many more.

Here are told stories of those encounters, together with entertaining tales of Hawdon''s lively domestic life spread over four different countries, his reflections on the national characteristics of the French, Spanish, American, and Australian peoples, his joyous indulgence in the delights of their cultures, his comments on their varied political and social eccentricities, and his dramatic exploits in their property markets.

But above all this is about his love of his work, his family, his homes, his pleasures, and life in general.