BAGGAGE: Tales from a Fully Packed Life

Familiar from blockbusting performances such as the mad scientist Boris in the Bond film Goldeneye, Alan Cummings is a versatile and acclaimed performer on both stage and screen. His most celebrated stage role was as the MC in the musical Cabaret, a role he has taken three times, first in Sam Mendes's production with Jane Horrocks as Sally Bowles, then reviving the role a few years later opposite Natasha Richardson, and finally reprising the show on Broadway almost 20 years later. This memoir starts with the breakdown of Cummings's marriage, which happened at about the same time as he confronted a childhood of continuous abuse perpetrated by a violent father. By the end of the book he has accepted his own bisexuality and is about to settle down with his male partner. When his wife suggested his memories of abuse were a way of sidestepping their relationship problems, Cumming could not forgive, and the divorce was painful, but it set him on the path of learning who he truly was. Goldeneye catapulted him to stardom and Cummings's character's catchphrase "I am invincible" is still shouted at him in the street. When Cummings found himself next to Dame Judi Dench in the line-up at the Goldeneye premiere they discussed in whispers whether they were going to bow to Prince Charles. Dench said she had to, as she was already a Dame. Later Cummings noticed Dench chatting to his mother together with Tina Turner and reflected that they were all women of the same age so it made sense. The second Cabaret in 1998 was a career-changing experience as Cummings was feted by Lauren Bacall, Whoopi Goldberg and Jessye Norman, with Liza Minelli herself coming on stage one night. 270pp, softback, photos.