The Understudy

Description

For Josh Harper, being in show-business means everything he ever wanted - money, fame, a beautiful wife, a lead role on the London stage. For Stephen C. McQueen, on the other hand, it means a disastrous career playing passers-by and dead people. He s stuck with an unfortunate name, a hopeless agent, a daughter he barely knows, and a job as understudy to Josh Harper, the 12th Sexiest Man in the World. And things get even more difficult when Stephen falls in love with Josh's clever, funny wife Nora. But might there yet be a way for Stephen to get his Big Break? The Understudy is a scintillating comedy of ambition, celebrity, jealousy and love.

David Nicholls's TV credits include the third series of Cold Feet, Rescue Me, and I Saw You. He was co-writer for the film adaptation of Simpatico, which starred Nick Nolte, Jeff Bridges and Sharon Stone. David's bestselling first novel, STARTER FOR TEN, was selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club in 2004, and David is writing the screenplays for forthcoming film versions of both STARTER FOR TEN and THE UNDERSTUDY. Most recently, David has written a modern version of Much Ado About Nothing for BBC TV, as part of a Shakespeare season to be screened in 2005.

A zippy comedy with laugh-out-loud lines, grounded on a solid plot and first-rate dialogue...irresistible - Daily Mail Bitterly funny - Observer A comic genius - Maria Beaumont on David Nicholls Darkly funny and oddly romantic. - More An unusual mix of cynicism and romance - no slush, just lots of laughs! - Company A brilliantly funny book. - Marie Claire Hugely entertaining with a high ratio of chuckles and snorts per chapter. - Good Book Guide I adored THE UNDERSTUDY. It's a fantastic comedy ... delightfully written. - New Woman