Mirfield in the ‘working-class corner of Northern England’. Patrick’s father, a highly respected regimental sergeant-major, suffered from PTSD and had trouble settling down after the war. He became a ‘weekend drunk’ and domestic violence entered the marriage.
During his schooldays, Patrick developed a love for Shakespeare’s plays and resolved, one day, to become a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Our budding thespian had a plan to ensure that his ambition would be successful. He decided to gain experience in repertory theatres around the country before requesting an audition.
By 1960, his acting abilities were being noted. He accepted an offer to join the Old Vic World Tour that included Australia. Vivien Leigh was to lead the cast and Robert Helpmann was to direct the plays. Patrick has a soft spot for Ms Leigh but is not complimentary about Helpmann.
In 1966, aged 26, he approached the Royal Shakespeare Company. The audition went well, he joined the company and stayed for 14 years. In 1987, this ‘unknown Shakespearean actor’ was picked for a starring role in ‘Star Trek’ and later head-hunted for ‘X-Men, which led to international stardom, wealth and celebrity.
Making It So is a candid, detailed, and well-written memoir.
Reviewed by Clive Hodges
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sir Patrick Stewart made his professional debut in 1959 in the repertory theatre in Lincoln; he worked at the Manchester Library Theatre and a tour around the world with the Old Vic Company followed in the early 1960s. Joining the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966, this would be a 27-year association. In the mid 1980s, he went to Los Angeles, to star on Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987), which ran from 1987-1994, playing the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard. After the series ended, Stewart reprised his role for a string of successful Star Trek films: Star Trek: Generations (1994), Star Trek: First Contact (1996), Star Trek: Insurrection (1998), and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002).
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