Roger Lewis

As Luck Would Have It, by Derek Jacobi – review

Derek Jacobi in the title role of Becket at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, 1991. Credit: ©Robbie Jack/Corbis 
issue 28 September 2013
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  • As Luck Would Have It

    Derek Jacobi as told to Garry O’Connor

    HarperCollins, pp. 320

Alan Bennett once overheard an old lady say, ‘I think a knighthood was wasted on Derek Jacobi,’ and I know what she means. It’s strange how he has always been singled out for prizes and high honours — why not Ronald Pickup, Charles Kay, Edward Petherbridge, Frank Finlay or the late Jeremy Brett? Ian Richardson absolutely hated him — just couldn’t contain his envy and incredulity, at least in my presence.

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