The Understudy by David Nicholls (From Swindon Advertiser)

The Understudy by David Nicholls

12:40pm Thursday 13th November 2008

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SHAKESPEARE once wrote that "all the world's a stage, and the men and women merely players".

And never did that hold more true than in The Understudy by David Nicholls.

The second novel from the Starter For Ten author focuses on the highs and lows of the West End, revolving around actor Stephen C.McQueen (no, not that Steve McQueen).

Thirty-something Stephen is anxiously awaiting his big break, but is stuck in the wings as the understudy for the 12th sexiest man in the world, Josh Harper.

The comedic book follows Stephen and Josh as their worlds become entangled when Stephen falls in love with the beautiful, but quirky, Nora Harper - Josh's wife.

Nicholls introduces us to the world of professional theatre in style and you get a real undestanding of what it must be like to be waiting for the phonecall from Steven Spielberg.

The characters of Stephen, Josh and Nora are well defined and you develop a real empathy with them - despite their flaws - and can identify and relate with the situations they find themselves in during the course of the book.

This is a throughly enjoyable read, especially if you are a closet thespian. You'll find yourself laughing out laugh more than once.