John Barrowman: Anything Goes...

[fajrdrako]

I read Anything Goes by John Barrowman today.

What fun. What a delightful book. What great footnotes. What a vivid sense of life.

I love theatrical autobiographies.

Though I have read every Barrowman article I could find, and have seen every interview possible, the book overlaps surprisingly little. And though Barrowman's sister Carole did the actual typing of the book - and, clearly, the spelling - his voice comes through on every page.

Actually, most of his family sounds as if they are just like him. Which is a scary thought.

Barrowman's story is not told in chronological order, exactly, though his infancy and childhood are near the beginning of the book, his civil partnership with Scott and his tenure on Torchwood are near the end. While reading, I thought, "There should be a chronology at the end," and so there was. Handy.

Specific comments:

1. John Barrowman is a terrible tease; this seems to be typical of his whole family. There are countless recountings of practical jokes and silly pranks, and a fair amount of teasing of the reader.


2. Good passage: "Many people believe that as individuals we're the product of some preconceived plan, some grand design that God, whatever you may call Him or Her, has predetermined for us, but I've always believed that was rubbish. I am who I am firstly because of genetics, and, running a very close second, because of choices: ones my parents made, such a choosing to emigrate to America; ones their parents made; ...and very conscious ones that I've made for myself."


3. Quote from Noel Coward, that other wonderful theatrical biographer: "It is discouraging how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit."


4. I envy his wonderful travels - especially to historical sites (the Yucatan, Santorini, Masada, Rome, and so on) - and was somewhat surprised by his love of swimming and scuba diving. The man's half fish - not a drinker but a swimmer.


5. Surprising too that he is afraid of flying (though he does it all the time), and clearly loved his flight in a Hawk fighter jet. He also has a phobia about being touched on the face or neck, an ongoing difficulty when it comes to getting his make-up done. This seems particularly odd in that he is famous for kissing scenes in which he touches his partner's neck. And then there's that amazing tongue-flick-to-the-neck in Shark Attack 3: Megalodon, which has to be one of the sexiest things I've seen on film. And it isn't as if his co-kissers don't touch his neck in return, like the famous kiss with Ianto in "To The Last Man":
   


6. What a joy it was to be able to read a special 'limited edition' copy signed by the author. What a beautiful scrawl. I don't treasure many autographs, but I will certainly treasure this one.


7. Speaking of Captain Jack's kisses with Ianto: he tells an anecdote about kissing Ianto during the filming of "Adam", when (as a joke) they made the kiss continue. Since we didn't see a kiss between them in "Adam" (except on the forehead), I am sorry to hear the thing must have been edited out. Spoilsports.


8. As a child, Barrowman was crazy over Star Wars and collected Star Wars toys - pretty much like any kid of his generation. However, though he loved both Star Wars and Doctor Who, it seems clear that his very favourite television as a kid was Dallas and that he loved, and continues to love, the evening-soap genre. He has an ambition to do TV comedy in the style of The Carol Burnett Show.


9. A turning point in this life, from page 80:

   I was in a music practice room at high school one afternoon, struggling with a piece of flute music I needed to learn for the school band. I began to sing the piece aloud to help me get a grip on it, when David Damkwart, the school choir director] walked past the room. He knocked and stuck his head inside.
   
   'Was that you singing?'
   
   'Yes.'
   
   'Do you think you have talent?'
   
   'Yes.'
   
   'Are you arrogant?'
   
   I wasn't sure exactly what he meant by this, but I said 'yes' anyway.
   
   'Good. Those are both qualities I like in my performers. Come to the theatre and try out for the school musical.'

10. The man collects Barbie dolls. Well, he would. I love it.


11. On several occasions, Barrowman mentions something happening that must be the most wonderful feeling in the world: being admired by those you admire.


12. Favourite scenes, moments, and passages:
    • Barrowman charging into the audience to stop people from photographing a production of Anything Goes
    
    
    • Descriptions of being in The Producers, especially his rivalry with an actor he euphemistically calls "Peter Prick"
    
    
    • The stories of being in Matador - I do wish I could have seen that! But I guess... few people did.
    
    
    • The stories of the Barrowman family Hogmanay parties
    
    
    • The description of his and Scott's Civil Partnership ceremony
    
    
    • The ending of the Valentino story
    
    
    • The 'pay it forward' ideology
    
    
    • Backstage stories
    
    
    • The wonderful story of getting the lead role in Anything Goes

Do I have any quibbles or regrets about the book? Not really, but I can think of three things I wish were different: I wish it was longer - clearly he could full more 250-page books with anecdotes and memories and musings; I wish it had more specifics about the casts and filming of Doctor Who and Torchwood; and I wish he had delved a little more deeply into some of his thoughts and feelings about his philosophy of life, the roles he's played, his significant relationships - granted that he has a right to privacy, he could still delve deeper without compromising that. He talks about his first kiss, but his first serious love? Not at all. I'd like to hear more about his consideration of gay rights and animal rights, religion, sex and more. What he thinks is clear. Why he thinks it? I'd have liked to hear more.

Maybe in his next book.

Comments

[beccaelizabeth]

re: kiss anecdote - he did not say it was Adam. and teh episodes aren't showing in the order he filmed. so there could still be a kiss. if we're lucky. I heard.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I was assuming it was "Adam" because he said it was one in which "Ianto has a meltdown" and that was the only one I could think of that fits that description - so far. Of course, it could be something still to come, though he referred to it as "early in second series". You're right, that isn't definitive.

Or if it is - I want to see the outtakes!

[darthhellokitty.livejournal.com]

I know I'm going to wind up reading this.

Fuck, he collects Barbies. I'm trying to back OUT of collecting Barbies. I wonder if he could use a few strays? XD XD XD

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I know I'm going to wind up reading this.

You say that as if it's a problem?

Fuck, he collects Barbies.

He does. Mentions it in passing. Collectible Barbies. With a certain obvious enthusiasm.

I wonder if he could use a few strays?

I wonder?

[dewline.livejournal.com]

Honesty about arrogance...I can see how some like that in a person. It transferred well from musical to theatrical, didn't it?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I think his point was that anyone going for high-achievement in their chosen field, especially show business, has to have the kind of self-confidence that translates as arrogance. The trick is not to lose a respect for others, and it seems that Barrowman hasn't done that. I was impressed at the way he gathers and keeps friends - rather the same way Captain Jack does! - and credits those who have helped him.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I think that the kissing scene you use as your example of touching might be the one he's talking about, although I have no evidence.

I also notice from the picture that it looks like Gareth might be making his strongest contact on the back of John's neck and the edge of his jaw and not on the side of his face or neck. Haven't read the book yet, but as someone who has a neck-touching issue myself, certain areas are "okay" while others trigger reactions. Perhaps John is the same?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I think that the kissing scene you use as your example of touching might be the one he's talking about, although I have no evidence.

Might be, though Ianto wasn't particularly troubled in "To the Last Man".

Yes, perhaps John is the same, and perhaps Gareth David-Lloyd has just learned where he can touch him and where he can't. Or maybe Barrowman is professional enough to act unbothered by it either way. Although I love that kiss scene with the besotted fangirl passion of any dedicated slash-lover, I did think there was a certain oddity to it, about the way they were or were not touching.... I thought it would have been staged differently if it had been a woman Barrowman was kissing. Or something. The kiss was nice, but he wasn't holding Ianto at all, and was hardly touching him.

[tigress35.livejournal.com]

I'm definitely surprised to see that bit about his phobia, considering how touching-feely he appears to be with everyone (of course it could be a planned character thing, too, in the case of Jack) I get the sense, especially after seeing the scene in that Maria series where he springs kisses on the Maria hopefuls in a lesson about going with the flow and being comfortable with people, that he probably is being professional about it and is also talented enough that if it does bother him, he doesn't show it. And now, even though of course it's none of my business, I'm curious if his face/neck touching phobia still applies with any long-term romantic partners he's had.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

even though of course it's none of my business, I'm curious if his face/neck touching phobia still applies with any long-term romantic partners he's had.

I wondered that too, and he doesn't answer the point. It could be only that he doesn't like people he doesn't know well touching his face and neck. It could be that because it's a sensitive area it's both a love/hate reaction - makes a strong point when he does it in a scene for that reason. Or not. But it's interesting that he describes it as a phobia when it comes across as such a strong, positive note in his work.

It's also interesting that it's a phobia shared by other members of his family. Does this mean it's genetic, or learned? And - either way - why?

Seems an odd quirk when, as you say, he comes across as so touchy-feely.

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

And though Barrowman's sister Carole did the actual typing of the book - and, clearly, the spelling

Actually, she wrote the whole thing. He said that his name is only on the byline because it would sell better. When the publisher went to him with the idea, he said "only if Carole writes it"; he said he has no talent as a writer. So technically it's not really an autobiography. The two of them said on the Morning Show that she carried around a digital recorder at all times; much of the story is influenced by her memories, not just his recounting of incidents.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Actually, she wrote the whole thing. He said that his name is only on the byline because it would sell better.

Right. I heard those interviews to. I'm saying he lied about it.

Well, maybe not lied, exactly, but was misleading on the point to give Carole credit. I don't doubt that she literally wrote it all - every word - and quite possibly structured it, but she was clearly transcribing to his dictation, using his words and ideas and means of expression and verbal style.

Some of it may be influenced by her memories, especially for the childhood stuff that she would remember and he wouldn't - but 95% of the book is about things she was not present for. She might remember his account of it from the time, and use that in the work, but I was surprised how clearly it was his voice.

It's more an autobiography than any other work put out by a person with a secretary. Not so much ghost-writing as channelling.

[chatona.livejournal.com]

Sounds absolutely lovely... I should buy the book, shouldn't I? *eyes amazon*

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'd say you should, or at least read it from your public library. It's totally delightful.

[chatona.livejournal.com]

Somehow, I doubt they'll have it in the public libraries around here. The amount of English autobiographies never seemed all that vast and John isn't that famous.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, I don't think they'll have it in the library here, either. Which is a pity - I think everyone should have it everywhere!

[cionaudha.livejournal.com]

Seriously, he is dangerously wonderful.

It does things --nice warm tingly things-- to me when a man I know to be a crimefighter (GLBT, animals, etc) and otherwise beautiful, gifted, kind, hot, and cool turns out to be a man of faith. It sets my underwear on fire in ways I don't entirely understand.


that amazing tongue-flick-to-the-neck in Shark Attack 3: Megalodon, which has to be one of the sexiest things I've seen on film

Um, I don't suppose you have a linky-poo?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I don't suppose you have a linky-poo?

Oh, I wish I did! I saw it on YouTube, but it was taken down for copyright violation - or maybe for being so hot it melted computer screens - and as far as I know, it isn't up again yet. I look periodically.

[cionaudha.livejournal.com]

I'm amazed. The creators of Shark Attack 3 ought to be in bliss that anybody gives enough of a crap to rip them off.


his love of swimming and scuba diving. The man's half fish - not a drinker but a swimmer.

Just looked it up: he's a Pisces. So there ya go.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

The creators of Shark Attack 3 ought to be in bliss that anybody gives enough of a crap to rip them off

It has to be the only good scene in the movie. Really.

Pisces.... That explains so much.

[cionaudha.livejournal.com]

I love Pisceseses. He's got Leo in there somewhere though, betcha anything. Water and sun. He's honest as daylight.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'd have pegged him as a Leo. The nicest kind of Leo, all charm and exuberance.

But having read about his water-affinity now, Pisces makes a lot of sense.

And yes, so honest it makes me smile.

[star-momma.livejournal.com]

If you happen to use Netflix, I've just added the movie to my queue... :) Not immediate gratification, but I can be patient.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Sadly, Netflix doesn't operate in my country.

[magika83.livejournal.com]

I just ordered this one along with the three new Torchwood books. Can't wait to read it now.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. It's just a delightful read.

[elebridith]

It's great, isn't it? I love the footnotes. Especially "Puh-leeeze. The ones from Toys-R-Us. Get a grip." No wonder that he got the loving nickname "Captain Innuendo" once...*lol*
And it's just bubbling with the same energy that John himself shows live, that's just great. And yes, also hoping for a second one. I guess for this, the stories told are the ones who just came to mind first - the more philosophical ones maybe later. I hope! *crosses fingers* Delightful read!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I love the footnotes.

They were wonderful.

Especially "Puh-leeeze. The ones from Toys-R-Us. Get a grip."

I loved: "This isn't that kind of book." And later: "This isn't that kind of book, either."


I hope he does continue later - I want more!

[elebridith]

Yeah, me too! And on footnotes: "I'm gay, not blind." That is a great one. Forgot that last time.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

"I'm gay, not blind."

He's just so... so...

I can't even think of an adequate word. "Cute" doesn't begin to cover it.

Puckish? In a smart and sexy way.