Norman Mitchell - The book

Norman always wanted to write a book about his life, how he walked from Sheffield to London determined to be an actor, about the intervening war years, and his life as an actor in film, theatre, television and radio.

An Actor's Life for Me by Norman Mitchell with Paul Laffan and Jackie Mitchell, was published in 2003. The Foreword is written by his friend Sir Donald Sinden CBE (1923-2014) and at the end of book there is a contribution by Paul Gane, Chairman of The Royal Theatrical Fund. Norman's daughter Jackie dedicates the book to her mother Pauline Mitchell and brother Christopher Mitchell.

An Actor's Life for Me tells Norman's story – the gritty determination to become an actor, against all odds. At just 18, he threw in studying medicine to walk 168 miles from Sheffield to London and batter on the gates of Elstree Studios, demanding to be taken on as an actor. It was the beginning of a life-long career in film, radio, television and theatre. The war years intervened. When Norman was just 21, Hitler invaded Poland. Norman then spent over six years in active service in the Royal Army Medical Corps in World War II. This included a spell attached to the Desert Rats, and in various capacities from operating room assistant, clerk, stretcher-bearer and mortician.

Norman's book is of interest to actors young and old, anyone involved with the performing arts and the history of acting.

Order your copy from www.amazon.co.uk (Sims Publications ISBN 09543555-0-4).