BALANCING ACTS

(Vintage £9.99) AT THE National Theatre, Sir Michael Gambon was three days into rehearsals of Alan Bennett’s new play The Habit Of Art when he collapsed and was whisked off to hospital.

Had he any message for his colleagues, asked a stage manager.

‘ Don’t worry about those bastards,’ said Sir Michael. ‘They’re already on the phone to Simon Russell Beale.’

Russell Beale was busy, as it happened, but as Nicholas Hytner reveals in this captivating memoir of his 12 years as director of the National Theatre, Gambon’s instinct was right. Before the day was out, actor Richard Griffiths had taken Hytner’s call.

From the triumph of War Horse to James Corden patting Donald Trump’s bottom in the Broadway run of One Man, Two Guvnors, Hytner chronicles the highs — and occasional lows — of running the National with crisp wit and deep affection.