The Years Before My Death:
Memories of a Comic Life
David McPhail
Longacre - $39.99

“There is a dictum that a memoir should never be published until everyone in it, including the author, is dead. I couldn’t wait that long.”

David McPhail is a comic genius and much-loved legend of New Zealand screen and stage, his career spanning more than 30 years and still going strong.

The work McPhail did for satire on television is renowned, paving the way for future comedy acts like ‘Flight of the Conchords’ and ‘7 Days’. Who (of a certain age) can forget the fast-paced sketches and skits that parodied well-known figures of the day and the popular culture bashing that were all part and parcel of iconic programmes, ‘A Week of It’ and ‘McPhail and Gadsby,’ (so named because nobody could think of an alternative!). How did they get away with it? And as for McPhail’s Robert Muldoon impersonations, for which he is famous, well, they were almost more Muldoon than Muldoon himself.

In The Years Before My Death, actor-director and comedy show writer David McPhail recalls his early life;  from overweight, playground ‘clown’ with a stammer to choirboy, journalist and hugely successful actor-director and satirical comedy show writer.  What drove him to perform comedy and what was behind his desire to make us laugh?

McPhail also tells of his creative friendships with the likes of A.K. Grant, Bruce Ansley and Jon Gadsby; his encounters with former Prime Minister Robert Muldoon, the comic genius Dudley Moore, and the television networks of the day.

The insights and anecdotes that David McPhail shares in his cheekily titled memoir, The Years Before My Death, are told with humanity, frankness and honesty, perfect timing and a certain glint in the eye. And the title is another great idea for that Fathers Day gift.

 
About the author:
David McPhail ONZM and QSM is one of New Zealand’s best known comedy actors. For the past 30 years, he has written and appeared in a wide variety of New Zealand television programmes including, ‘A Week of It’, ‘McPhail and Gadsby’ and ‘Letters to Blanchy’. He has been named both Actor of the Year and Television Personality of the Year on two occasions.