It is impossible to do justice here to the fullness of Brandreth's bran tub. It's a hamper of a book, overflowing with delights and the odd occasion for serious reflection...
Simon Callow, The Sunday Times
... cracker of a book... with theatres closed because of coronavirus, The Oxford Book of Theatrical Anecdotes is about as close to a play we can get at the moment and it is well worth the admission price.
Sunday Express
The mix of solemnity and humour is perhaps a suitable homage to a great industry now in danger of dying, leaving in its wake only anecdotes about old times.
Lindsay Duguid, Times Literary Supplement
... a chunky tome of a book containing scrupulously researched snippets of amusing theatrical chat... The prologue to the book is a mini masterpiece in itself and demonstrates with a quiet strenth and a familiar humour, the depth of Brandreth's love for the theatre and his remarkable insight into it... makes you smile, wonder and sympathise...
Sandra Callard, ON-Yorkshire Magazine
Brandreth is always reliably funny...
Literary Review
... a sheer delight... this meaty volume will transport the reader into the world of make-believe and recount the very real exploits of the wizards who create it.
John Badenhorst, Press and Journal
This, of course, is not a book to read from cover to cover - it's one to dip into as and when the mood takes you. I heartily recommend you take the plunge.
Stephen Griffin, Camden New Journal
Funny, cringe-worthy, witty and wise, it's the perfect book for theatre-goers.
Surrey Life
...provides a fascinating perspective on the history of British (and sometimes American or Australian) theatre... there's so much to enjoy here: it really is a book that keeps on giving, and will keep the reader happily dipping in and out for many weeks...
Shiny New Books
The ever wonderful Gyles Brandreth edits this joyous and hugely entertaining new anthology of theatrical anecdotes... a comprehensive, revealing, and hugely entertaining portrait of the world of theatre across four hundred years.
The Arts Shelf
Completely brilliant. Gyles knows all the best theatre stories and he has collected them just for us. What a treat!
Dame Judi Dench