Actor Julie Hesmondhalgh's working diary begins in November 2016 at the
end of a full and exciting year of theatre-making with her company, Take
Back. The company is a northern-based collective creating immediate
script-in-hand responses to social and political events (of which there
were many in 2016). Her work with Take Back fell between filming the
third series of Broadchurch for ITV and starring in the award-winning
play Wit at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester.
She kicks off as she prepares to start rehearsals for Mike Leigh's epic
film about the Peterloo Massacre of 1819; visits schools and colleges
representing Arts Emergency - an organisation set up to promote
opportunities for young working-class actors; and awaits news of a
possible London transfer of Wit.
The book takes in Hesmondhalgh's unique experiences of working in film,
theatre, TV and radio drama, and through the ups and downs of life as a
working actor and producer, while balancing family life. The events
described throughout take place against the backdrop of the huge
political change and upheaval as Britain votes in favour of Brexit and
Donald Trump is elected as US president.
Throughout, Julie Hesmondhalgh considers the impact and challenges of
starting a brand new chapter of her career after 16 years in Coronation
Street; growing older as a woman in an industry preoccupied by youth
and appearance; working with a legend of British film making; running a
company; being a parent; experiencing first-hand the huge changes and
pressures in the creative industries and arts education; and the
lesser-known aspects of an actor's life post-production and publicity.
All the while, she attempts to pass on any knowledge or experiences she
might have accrued to people starting out in the business in this
fascinating year-long journal.
