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Shark-Infested Waters

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Shark-Infested Waters

By: Michael Whitehall
Narrated by: Michael Whitehall
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About this listen

 Theatrical agent, Michael Whitehall, has been involved with the careers of many eminent actors from Kenneth More, Tom Courtenay, Colin Firth, Dorothy Tutin, Edward Fox, Jack Davenport, Judi Dench, Ian Charleson, Peter Bowles, Elaine Stritch, Richard E Grant, Danie Day-Lewis, David Hemmings and Richard Griffiths amongst others.

In Shark-Infested Waters, Michael Whitehall contrasts the glamorous image of theatrical life with the mundane realities of the business, while passing on some startling trade secrets along the way. A laconic raconteur of refreshingly un-starstruck theatrical anecdotes, Whitehall deftly sketches the social comedy of his eccentric background: growing up in suburban London in the 1950s, his schooldays at Ampleforth and his subsequent adventures as a prep schoolmaster - worthy of Evelyn Waugh himself - before becoming an actors' agent.

The result is a charming, funny and piquant view of a world that continues to fascinate.©2025 Michael Whitehall (P)2026 Little, Brown Book Group Limited Funny

Critic reviews

Michael has always been, and will always be, the funniest Whitehall. I've heard his stories a thousand times and still love them like I'm listening to them for the first time. Thankfully this book ends before he has children, so I can't be thrown under the bus (Jack Whitehall)
The funniest show business memoir I've read since David Niven's The Moon's a Balloon (Nigel Havers)
This is a treasure trove of entertaining anecdotes . . . a stylish and extremely amusing memoir (Hugh Massingberd)
It's a portrait of an era - and a world - and a unique individual - executed con brio. I couldn't have liked it more (Gyles Brandreth)
I adored this achingly funny book. So will you (Roger Lewis)
He spills the beans on the stars and their pampered prima-donna ways. A hilarious memoir (Geoffrey Wansell)
All stars
Most relevant
Entertaining and insightful window into the world of Showbiz. Michael Whitehall really is a legend in his own lifetime!

A fascinating and often very funny true story, written and told by one of the very best

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I love hearing the stories, but do listen in 1.2x - there are lots of reading errors but those who know of Mr Whitehall won’t be surprised. I still very much enjoyed the book and will relisten to pick up on little bits I missed.

Listen in 1.2x

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