"Those of us who remember seeing the great Max Wall live will
probably be thinking of the later stages of his career, when he
was rediscovered as a variety performer and actor. Much of the
credit for his re-emergence into the limelight should be given to
the Greenwich Theatre, where he performed on many occasions.
It is those later years of his career that we can read about in Max
Wall: There And Back – Twice, something of a labour of love
for Glenn Mitchell. The book was being written by Max’s friend
Michael Pointon, but he died before it could be completed. Now,
Glenn Mitchell has done so, adding some extra information of
his own from time to time. As the original author is in the habit
of including sections he describes as Asides, this can be quite a
tricky narrative to follow, but most of those who read it will be
familiar with the story anyway.
"Max’s phenomenal career lasted from the 1920s to the 1980s and
included everything from music hall to pantomime, and television
to straight theatre. You will have to seek out his out-of-print 1975
autobiography, Fool On The Hill, to learn about the early years
however, as this book starts, as it were, in the middle of this
remarkable life. The book does not follow a strict chronological
order, but there are quite a few hints of Max’s early years to be
found. It’s a chatty read, although occasionally repetitive as in
the many times we are promised ‘of which, more later.’ Those
of us who remember Max in Osborne’s The Entertainer or in
Beckett’s Waiting For Godot and Krapp’s Last Tape, will find
much of interest.
"The focus throughout is on Max Wall the man, as understood
by his friend. There is reference here to performances, but to
know more about those, interested readers are best to seek out
descriptions by the likes of Michael Billington and John Fisher.
So, read this book alongside those descriptions then, and Max’s
autobiography, but remind yourself too of some of his best
known routines, many of which can be found on YouTube.
"His work as a songwriter is perhaps less well known or at any
rate less remembered, but there are songs online too, including
on the website of the Max Wall Society. Michael Pointon and
Glenn Mitchell’s book is an excellent addition to these sources,
giving the background first to the rock and roll years and then the
rediscovery and final successes of this unique and complex actor,
performer and friend."
- Chris Abbott/Call Boy