Book info

• Title Lush! My Story
• Author Joanna Page
• Year 2025
• Genre Memoir

From the small village of Treboeth on the outskirts of Swansea to the sets of some of the all-time greatest movies and TV shows - like Love Actually and Gavin & Stacey - Joanna Page's journey to stardom has been extraordinary. In this funny, candid and endlessly surprising memoir, Joanna shares her story in full for the first time. Inside, Joanna looks back at her early life growing up on the glorious Welsh coastline - a life (not unlike Stacey's) filled with family and friendly neighbours - to the sudden shock of moving to London at 18 (totally alone) to take her place at RADA, one of the most prestigious performing arts schools in the world. Before taking readers behind the scenes of her most iconic roles and introducing them to a colourful cast including Ruth Jones, James Corden, Richard E. Grant, Johnny Depp, Liam Neeson and Emma Thompson.

Thoughts

This is a really good autobiography, fresh and engaging, incredibly honest but with stories and insights about the author that were surprising. I had no idea Page had gone to RADA, but then also gone on to hate it and basically just survive it - using that training as an experience to grow stronger as a person, if not better as an actress. There are stories from various sets and productions, and quite a lot about having a family - I could probably have done with less about breastfeeding, but equally appreciate the candour which will probably speak to people having similar experiences. Overall a great read, and must be time to watch Gavin & Stacey again!

Rating: 4 / 5