A review of Patrick Stewart’s memoir “Making It So” – a review by independent author and screenwriter Keith Lawson
Not a book to satisfy everyone. If coming to it as a Star Trek fan there is potential disappointment how little of that is covered, despite the bait of the title. no, it is a book of “luvvies”- the theatrical world, Patrick’s first love.
I found the early life interesting – for my age (73) there was a lot I could relate to and understand this social history of postwar Britain. Another aspect to reflect on is the long, hard and dedicated path PS took to fulfil his career. These days, a season on a Reality TV show and one is immediately a “celebrity”. Not so back then. The studying to become an actor, the auditions, the rejections, then the small parts, working towards a desired larger role. It is all here. Again, my age means I recognise the references, the names dropped. A younger person reading this may well struggle. It is written by a luvvie – love of fellow actors, love of the craft, love of theatre. Another missing thing today – how many theatres don’t do plays, opting for musicals, stand-up and one-person talk shows. Where have the repertory companies gone – that nursery of talent? So there is a lot of nostalgia for those times but they will seem strange to a young, modern-experienced person.
It’s a long book. In parts, it seems to be those late-night chat show interviews – personal stories and anecdotes and name-dropping (PS loved almost everyone he worked with, hardly anyone gets a slating).
In summary, more likely to appeal to a mature person, lover of theatre, less for Trekkies and X-Men fans.
