It is their first day at Drama Arts, and the circle of huddled, nervous students are told in no uncertain terms that here, unlike at any other drama school, they will be taught to Act. To Be. To exist in their own world on the stage. But outside is the real world - a pitiless, alluring place in which each of them in their most fervent dreams, hopes to flourish and excel.
Nell, insecure and dumpy, wonders if she will ever be cast as anything other than the maid. She’ll never compete, she knows this, with the multitude of confident, long-legged beauties thronging the profession-most notably Charlie, whose effortless ascendance is nothing less than she expects. While Dan, ambitious and serious, has his sights fixed on Hamlet, as well as on fiery, rebellious Jemma.
Over the following decade these young actors will grapple with haphazard tours, illogical auditions, unobtainable agents, deluxe caravans, rocky relationships and red-carpet premieres. This dazzling new novel from Esther Freud uncovers a world of ruthless ambition, uncertain alliances and the many-sided holy grail of Success. Press Reviews
'I loved Lucky Break - being taken away and plunged into that vivid group of actors with all their fun and excitement - and of course their tensions, disappointments and anxiety too. It struck me as completely authentic and enthralling’ Sir Michael Holroyd
‘Freud stands out as a clear, attractive voice in the literary hubbub’ Observer
‘A highly talented writer’ Independent
‘In a culture which dins with brashness and self-advertisement, attending to Esther Freud’s still, truthful voice becomes not only a pleasure but a necessity’ Jonathan Coe
