Overview

Putting the Rabbit in the Hat is Brian Cox’s memoir of a long working life in theatre, film, and television. The book begins with his childhood in Dundee and follows him through drama school, repertory theatre, and decades of steady work before late career fame arrived. We read this as a book about craft first, success second, and survival always.

Voice & Atmosphere

The voice is direct, sharp, and often very funny. Cox writes the way he speaks, with no interest in smoothing edges or flattering himself. Stories move quickly from rehearsal rooms to film sets, often landing on a single telling detail rather than a polished anecdote. We felt like we were listening rather than reading, which suits the material well.

There is real bluntness here, especially when he talks about ageing, ego, and the limits of talent. The tone is confident but not smug, and when the book turns reflective, it feels earned rather than rehearsed.

People & Portraits

Cox writes about fellow actors, directors, and producers with clarity and memory rather than reverence. Some portraits are affectionate, others sharply critical, but most feel rooted in long experience rather than point scoring. The most searching passages are about family and fatherhood, where work and ambition clearly took their toll.

Themes

The book keeps returning to the idea of acting as labour. Training, repetition, discipline, and endurance matter more than glamour. Class and opportunity run quietly through the story, especially in contrast to the institutions and industries Cox moved through. Fame appears late and almost by accident, reframing rather than defining the life that came before it.

What Worked

• Distinct voice: plain spoken, confident, and recognisably Brian Cox.
• Craft insight: clear thoughts on rehearsal, technique, and professional survival.
• Honesty: open about mistakes, temperament, and personal cost.

Minor Quibbles

• The anecdotal structure means some stories pass quickly without much reflection.
• Readers unfamiliar with UK theatre may miss the weight of a few references.

Final Thoughts

We found Putting the Rabbit in the Hat bracing and grounded, a memoir that values work over myth. It is at its best when it talks plainly about what it takes to keep going in a difficult profession.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)