Julie Walters Book order (chronological)

Oscar-nominated star of Educating Rita and Billy Elliot's darkly funny debut novel.

The number-one Sunday Times bestseller Her mum wanted her to be a nurse so that is what Julie did. But in her heart she had always wanted to be an actress and soon she was on stage at the local theatre in Liverpool. Her career snowballed with highlights that include Educating Rita, Billy Elliot, Harry Potter, Acorn Antiques, Dinner Ladies and Mamma Mia! She has been nominated for two Oscars, been awarded multiple BAFTAs and a Golden Globe, plus been honoured with a DBE. This is the heart-warming and funny story of that journey.

Alison Oddey's interviews with prominent performing women, span generations, cultures, perspectives, practice and the best part of the 20th century, telling various stories collectively. Stand ups, classic actresses, film and television personalities, experimental and alternative practitioners discuss why they want to perform, what motivates them, and how their personal history has contributed to their desires to perform. Oddey's critical and analytical introductory essay examines themes of performers' identities, displacement, acting as playing, differences between theatre, film and television performance, attitudes towards and relationships with audiences, and working with women directors. In several interviews the additional challenge of motherhood emerges as an important subtext in the performing lives of these women.