The ins and outs of The Empire Theatre in the roaring twenties…

Synopsis

Welcome to The Empire theatre

1922. When Jack Treadwell arrives at The Empire, in the middle of a rehearsal, he is instantly mesmerised. But amid the glitz and glamour, he soon learns that the true magic of the theatre lies in its cast of characters – both on stage and behind the scenes.

There’s stunning starlet Stella Stanmore and Hollywood heartthrob Lancelot Drake; and Ruby Rowntree, who keeps the music playing, while Lady Lillian Lassiter, theatre owner and former showgirl, is determined to take on a bigger role. And then there’s cool, competent Grace Hawkins, without whom the show would never go on . . . could she be the leading lady Jack is looking for?

When long-held rivalries threaten The Empire’s future, tensions rise along with the curtain. There is treachery at the heart of the company and a shocking secret waiting in the wings. Can Jack discover the truth before it’s too late, and the theatre he loves goes dark?

Musical theatre legend Michael Ball brings his trademark warmth, wit and glamour to this, his debut novel.

Enjoy the show!

My review

When Jack Treadwell arrives at the Empire Theatre in 1922, he didn’t expect how this place would affect his life.
After stumbling into a rehearsal, Jack is quickly mesmerised by the glitter and glamour of The Empire, but also by its magic on and off stage. And then we’re not talking about all the people he is meeting, like Stella Stanmore and Hollywood heartthrob Lancelot Drake. And Grace Hawkins, who appears to have a lot more on the ball than people may think.
But running a theatre isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, as finding successful plays aren’t that easy, and adding more drama in real life than any tragedy written by Shakespeare himself… 

The world of theatre always intrigued me, although I can honestly say the world isn’t really missing out on my acting talents…
And also the roaring twenties peeked my interest, even a century later.
So it’s safe to say that I was eager to start reading this book! 

As this story is set not so long after the war, it’s easy to understand how people want to enjoy their lives, after all the hardship they had to endure. Even for those who were lucky enough to return, had to learn to forget about everything they had seen. 

Jack was by far the easiest character to like in the whole story. He is so easy – going, very helpful, not afraid to roll up his sleeves.
No task is too big for him, and he always has a kind word for everyone, yet he also knows when and where to stand his ground.
It was a bit funny to read how his career at the theatre somehow just happened by sheer accident, yet it shows again how Jack is easily liked for him just being him. 

Now, it would take too long for me to mention every character individually, as just like in a real play, there are many players, all equally important in the tale.
But be certain of the fact that you’ll know in an instant which character you’ll turn out to love and which you won’t. Because let me tell you, you will or love or despise the characters! 

After an initial struggle, trying to keep up with all the new entries of characters, I found myself completely compelled to just keep on reading.
It was nearly impossible to drag myself away from this captivating story, where you’ll never know what happens next.
There is romance, friendship, laughter and happiness, but also intrigues, betrayal, secrets and tension.
Even when I thought that nothing else could go wrong, the author made another twist, making me almost grasp for some air. 

This was a great book to read, and Michael Ball manages perfectly to put the vivid scenes into words, allowing me to actually see where all the action was taking place. And with great characters like Jack, Grace and all the theatrical company, I cannot see how this book about theatre couldn’t be turned into a play about a book about a theatre!