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  • Playing Under the Piano

  • From Downton to Darkest Peru
  • By: Hugh Bonneville
  • Narrated by: Hugh Bonneville
  • Length: 11 hrs and 2 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (31 ratings)

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Playing Under the Piano cover art

Playing Under the Piano

By: Hugh Bonneville
Narrated by: Hugh Bonneville
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Publisher's Summary

This exclusive recording includes 6 extended chapters that are unique to the audiobook.

Hugh Bonneville is one of Britain's most accomplished actors, whose credits include Downton Abbey, W1A and the Paddington films.

Hugh Bonneville is one of Britain's most accomplished actors, familiar to audiences worldwide for his roles in Notting Hill, the Paddington films and Downton Abbey. From getting his big break as Third Shepherd in the school nativity play, to mistaking a Hollywood star for an estate agent, Hugh creates a brilliantly vivid picture of a career on stage and screen. What is it like working with Judi Dench and Julia Roberts, or playing Robert de Niro's right leg, or not being Gary Oldman, twice? A wickedly funny storyteller, Hugh also writes with poignancy about his father's dementia and of his mother, whose life in the secret service only emerged after her death. Whether telling stories of working with divas, Dames or a bear with a penchant for marmalade, this is a richly entertaining account of his life as an actor.

©2022 Hugh Bonneville (P)2022 Hachette Audio UK

Critic Reviews

"Utterly charming." (Jack Whitehall)

"Deliciously naughty." (Celia Imrie)

"A gorgeous book." (Richard Curtis)

What listeners say about Playing Under the Piano

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absolutely loved it!

what a brilliant storyteller he is! I loved every minute, he's such a great narrator with a mass of tales to tell, some sad, some thought provoking and some hilarious. well worth a listen an absolute smasher.

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A Wonderful Story

Such a wonderful story and storyteller. I couldn’t stop listening to Mr Bonneville’s story. What a fantastic life and so much more to come.

Thank you

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Fabulous

Highly recommend this book. It is a non-pretentious honest memoir that made me both laugh and cry

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Loved it!

Very moving and entertaining. The performance by Hugh Bonneville just made it even better. Highly recommend.

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Terrific

Loved it and learnt a lot. Hugh has such a lovely voice. Recommend listening folks

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Great stories well told

I really enjoyed this book. Hugh Bonneville is a master story teller. Hilarious some moments and moving at other times.
I didn’t want it to end!

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Brilliant.

Hugh Bonneville reading his book was totally hilarious and bought it life.
Highly recommended, what a personality.

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Perfect Autobiography

This was a fun read/listen from beginning to end. Hugh is a sharp wit and sprinkles the narrative with his humour. This is exactly what I hoped for. I have read many biographies of famous people and come away disappointed in some way. This book does not disappoint! A fun and interesting life well told and brilliantly read.

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Warm, gorgeous & Funny

Such a wonderful memoir, well thought through warm, relatable, funny & loving. I cried at the end. Highly Recommend

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A really great listen

I loved the insight into the trials and tribulations, as well as the high points, of being an actor.

Some really funny stories, all read with that wonderful voice.

A must listen!

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