For a book containing advice, the title sets a low bar, but such is the humour of Tim Minchin. The book is a collection of three orations he’s given at graduating ceremonies, in which he’s also received honorary doctorates. He worried (as did I) that the speeches may not translate as well in written form, but our concerns proved groundless.
There are three sections, each with an introduction to give some context. The first is from his speech to Arts and Science graduands at UWA in 2013 and centres on nine life lessons, of which the title is number one. He explains that he prefers to set short-term goals, rather than chasing a dream which may take a lifetime. He prioritises practise, but notes that luck is vital. Number eight, ‘Respect People with Less Power than You’, provides a valuable insight into his philosophy.
The second section is from a ceremony for WAAPA in 2019. Given that the speech was written after four frustrating years in Hollywood, its themes of resilience, authenticity and kindness were apposite. It comes with the admission that after two years at WAAPA he still hadn’t learned to read music. The message is to stay humble and be true to yourself. He and the co-writer of Matilda the Musical were invited to speak at the Cambridge Theatre in 2015. Minchin’s speech was in verse form and cautioned the aspiring actors against the trappings (literally in their homes) of success. Success does not necessarily equal happiness.
Readers will find helpful witticisms within, as well as some thinly disguised angst. Minchin’s humour shines brightly, elevating the writing.
Reviewed by Bob Moore
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tim Minchin is an Australian composer/lyricist, musician, comedian, actor, writer, producer and director. He was born in October 1975 and grew up in Perth, Western Australia, the second of four children.
He attended Christ Church Grammar School, The University of Western Australia (Bachelor of Arts) and The WA Academy of Performing Arts (Advanced Diploma of Contemporary Music).
He spent his 20s writing songs, playing in bands, acting in plays, composing for theatre, playing piano for cabaret artists and penning tongue-in-cheek beat poems.
Soon after he married his university sweetheart, Sarah Gardiner, in Perth in 2002, they moved to Melbourne. Failing to garner record company support for his 2001 album, Sit (with band Timmy the Dog) and struggling to attract the attention of an acting agent, Tim survived playing keyboards for Melbourne cover-band, The Sea Monkeys, and piano for solo artists – most notably Melbourne composer, lyricist, actor and satirist, Eddie Perfect.
In 2003 he debuted his first solo comic cabaret show, Navel – Cerebral Melodies With Umbilical Chords, for the Melbourne Fringe Festival. In August that year, Dark Side became one of the most acclaimed comedy shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, and Tim won the Perrier Best Newcomer Award.
Sarah and Tim’s journey from their early days in Melbourne to the birth of their first child in London in November 2006 was captured in Rock n Roll Nerd, a feature documentary made by their close friend, Rhian Skirving. The critically lauded film was shown in Australian cinemas in 2008. In the five years that followed, Tim toured the UK and Australia as a solo performer.
In 2009, he was commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) to write the music and lyrics for a stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Matilda. In 2010, Tim narrated Shaun Tan’s The Lost Thing, which went on to win the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film.
Tim was cast as Judas Iscariot in the spectacular arena production of Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar. Co-starring Ben Forster as Jesus and Melanie C as Mary, it toured the UK and Australia in 2012-13. There are some quotes on Tim’s performance in the Quotes/Reviews section. The show was released on a DVD which is available worldwide. A few clips can be found here.
Tim, Sarah and their two children, Violet (b 2006) and Caspar (b 2009), having lived in London (2006 – 2014) and then Los Angeles (2014 – 2017), returned to Australia to set up home in Sydney at the end of 2017.
He joined a stellar cast to star in Squinters, a new Australian six part comedy series, created by Adam Zwar and Trent O’Donnell, for the ABC. It aired on ABC in February 2018.
Tim was honoured with the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the performing arts, and to the community, on the 2020 Australia Day Honours list.
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