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Dancing in the Moonlight - Ronnie Barker an Autobiography
Dancing In The Moonlight
Paperback
First published September 1, 1993
15 people want to read
About the author
Ronnie Barker
72 books6 followersRonald William George Barker, OBE was an English actor, comedian, writer, broadcaster and businessman. He was known for his roles in various British comedy television series, such as The Frost Report, Porridge, The Two Ronnies and Open All Hours.
Born in Bedford, he began his acting career in repertory theatre and decided he was best suited to performing comic roles. Barker gained his first acting successes at the Oxford Playhouse and later in various roles in the West End including Tom Stoppard's The Real Inspector Hound. During this period, he became a cast member on BBC radio and television comedy programmes such as The Navy Lark. Barker got his television break with the satirical sketch series The Frost Report in 1966 where he met future collaborator Ronnie Corbett. He joined David Frost's production company and was to star in a number ITV shows including a short film during this period.
However, it was after rejoining the BBC that he found fame with the sketch show The Two Ronnies (1971—1986) with Ronnie Corbett. After the series of pilots called Seven of One, he gained starring roles in the sitcoms Porridge, its sequel Going Straight and Open All Hours. Apart from being a performer, he was noted as a comedy writer both under his own name and the pseudonym Gerald Wiley, which Barker adopted to avoid pre-judgements of his talent. Barker won the BAFTA for Best Light Entertainment Performance four times, amongst other awards, and received an OBE in 1978.
Later television sitcoms such as The Magnificent Evans and Clarence were less successful and he decided to retire in 1987. After his retirement, he opened an antiques shop with his wife, Joy. After 1997, he appeared in a number of smaller, non-comic roles in films.
Barker's writing style was "based on precise scripts and perfect timing." It often involved playing with language, including humour involving such linguistic items as spoonerisms and double entendres. He "preferred innuendo over the crudely explicit, a restraint that demanded some imagination from the audience and was the essence of his comedy." He "never liked sex or obscenity on television, but there was no shortage of frisky gags in The Two Ronnies". Corbett said he had "a mastery of the English language".
Born in Bedford, he began his acting career in repertory theatre and decided he was best suited to performing comic roles. Barker gained his first acting successes at the Oxford Playhouse and later in various roles in the West End including Tom Stoppard's The Real Inspector Hound. During this period, he became a cast member on BBC radio and television comedy programmes such as The Navy Lark. Barker got his television break with the satirical sketch series The Frost Report in 1966 where he met future collaborator Ronnie Corbett. He joined David Frost's production company and was to star in a number ITV shows including a short film during this period.
However, it was after rejoining the BBC that he found fame with the sketch show The Two Ronnies (1971—1986) with Ronnie Corbett. After the series of pilots called Seven of One, he gained starring roles in the sitcoms Porridge, its sequel Going Straight and Open All Hours. Apart from being a performer, he was noted as a comedy writer both under his own name and the pseudonym Gerald Wiley, which Barker adopted to avoid pre-judgements of his talent. Barker won the BAFTA for Best Light Entertainment Performance four times, amongst other awards, and received an OBE in 1978.
Later television sitcoms such as The Magnificent Evans and Clarence were less successful and he decided to retire in 1987. After his retirement, he opened an antiques shop with his wife, Joy. After 1997, he appeared in a number of smaller, non-comic roles in films.
Barker's writing style was "based on precise scripts and perfect timing." It often involved playing with language, including humour involving such linguistic items as spoonerisms and double entendres. He "preferred innuendo over the crudely explicit, a restraint that demanded some imagination from the audience and was the essence of his comedy." He "never liked sex or obscenity on television, but there was no shortage of frisky gags in The Two Ronnies". Corbett said he had "a mastery of the English language".
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 6, 2022
Very disappointed. I have admired Ronnie Barker for many years and considered him very versatile and extremely witty. Not just his work with Ronnie Corbett, but epics such as 'Open all Hours', Porridge, and of course the distant days of Satire with John Cleese et al.
This book started off promisingly enough, describing his early days, and his entry into the world of theatre, and the glimpses of life in a Repertory Company provided plenty of anecdotal material.
But I felt that much of this was wasted. It was told too superficially, and his humour generally failed to shine through on the page.
I disliked his several references to his early exploitation into sexual encounters. When I think of him I prefer my image not to be about him cavorting with young girls and shedding his virginity, or stealing the virginity of a young lady. It felt unnecessary and a distraction.
Not particularly well written. For a man who has penned so may exquisite scripts, the style was rather disappointing.
I wouldn't bother reading the next volume. I assume there is one.
This book started off promisingly enough, describing his early days, and his entry into the world of theatre, and the glimpses of life in a Repertory Company provided plenty of anecdotal material.
But I felt that much of this was wasted. It was told too superficially, and his humour generally failed to shine through on the page.
I disliked his several references to his early exploitation into sexual encounters. When I think of him I prefer my image not to be about him cavorting with young girls and shedding his virginity, or stealing the virginity of a young lady. It felt unnecessary and a distraction.
Not particularly well written. For a man who has penned so may exquisite scripts, the style was rather disappointing.
I wouldn't bother reading the next volume. I assume there is one.
January 13, 2018
Whilst I enjoyed this autobiography of Ronnie's early life and career, I didn't find it the most absorbing read - which personally has been my experience of many commedians autobiographies.. Particularly in the early career stage it feels like a list of where, who and what which gets a bit dull.
July 15, 2017
A laugh-out-loud book by one of the great comedians of our times, Ronnie Barker's autobiography covers the six years when he became a professional actor. Very entertaining.
April 24, 2017
Nostalgia is the word when reading this book. The golden age of theatre. Great stories told in a charming way about a time long gone. Well worth reading for anybody interested in the old days of entertainment.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews