Turn Around and Take a Bow!

I have followed Mike Dixon for a good while - I am a huge lover of musical theatre and Dixon seems to be the god of musical theatre MD'ing.
Was super intrigued to read about him in this book.
I loved the insights to the theatre shows, and all the backstage gossip - these were my favourite bits as I love musical theatre, and have seen the majority of the shows Dixon worked on.
I was less interested in Dixon's more personal life, and flipped the pages a bit faster when he spoke about these moments.

Overall I really enjoyed this book - just wish it focussed more on the shows...

Turn around and Take a Bow is a memoir penned by Mike Dixon. I must admit that I had not heard of his name before but that did not affect my enjoyment of the book. I think anyone could pick up this book and have heard of one (or definitely more) of the many, many shows and productions that Dixon has been a part of. Also, the work that goes through them all is so very interesting. A very enjoyable memoir from start to finish.

I've just finished Turn Around and Take a Bow and I really enjoyed it.

Mike Dixon, whos' autobiography this is has had a fascinating career, and he explains the work a musical director does.
His love of music shines through and his enjoyment kf working on team efforts is palpable.
It started when, as a child he just absorbed music - and doesn't remember learning to read it. As he says rhe same of learning to read English too I suspect it only came so easily because of his incredible talent.
From working as an assistant to becoming Dame Shirley Basset's MD seems to have happened as an effortless series of chances, bur none of these would have fallen I to his lap without years of hard work.

His first Royal Variety Performance was one I remember, it introduced Bradley Walsh whom I'd met before a performance just a month before. The Eurovisions, the An Audience with along with humorous twiddly links in Joseph and Friday Night is Music Night are all shows I too have experienced as an audience member.

This is a very generous book and shines the spotlight on other talents too, rather than hogging the limelight.

As one would expect from a globetrotter who hob nobs with showbiz royalty his vision of his dream destination kept him going during gruelling cancer treatment. However, one wouldn't expect it to be a caravan in Cornwall, initially without plumbing or electricity!
He speaks fondly of his parents and it seems they trained him well so he cidnt get list in excess when flushing toilets became an option!