“No Autographs, Please!” by Katherine Wiles is a really absorbing memoir that shows us the life of a performer we rarely hear about — a chorus member. The author, Katherine, has been in the chorus at Opera Australia for over 15 years.
In popular myth, if you’re in the chorus, you’re either waiting for your chance to step forward and be a “Star”, or you’re “Just Not Good Enough”. Wiles shows very clearly that neither is true. That people choose to work in the chorus for a variety of reasons, and that it’s a valid and satisfying career choice.
Wiles came to her singing career relatively late, commencing her studies in her late twenties and her career shortly after. She’s worked all over the world, though primarily in Australia, and in a wide variety of roles. Working in the chorus has given Wiles security and stability, while also exposing her to a variety of operas and many performers — some very well-known.
This memoir is focused almost entirely on her work in the chorus, painting a vivid and detailed picture of what life is like for the permanent chorus at Opera Australia. Wiles has clearly enjoyed much of her career, and that comes across in a memoir that’s fun to read. She knows that many people dismiss what the chorus does, and here she highlights not just how hard their work can be, but how important it is.
I found the detailed descriptions of processes – such as rehearsals or costume fittings – really interesting. Wiles enlivens the descriptions further with personal anecdotes, but I was fascinated even without them.
Wiles has clearly worked hard to ensure she doesn’t violate anyone else’s privacy. This gives rise to the only area I found a little disappointing: I would have liked to know more about the people she works with. Not just the big names; it would be interesting to know how you navigate working with someone you dislike in situations where you’re doing things like undressing in front of them. Or the interactions between “the star” and the chorus, or front of house staff… you get the idea.
In fact, my only reservations about this memoir are the areas where I wanted more. Wiles is clearly intelligent, in the later years of her career, and an union representative. I would have been interested to hear some of her broader thoughts about her industry.
This could have been twice as long and would still have held my attention. It’s a well written memoir that will engage most readers, and which gives insight into a world most of us are aware of, but don’t really understand. I thought it was great.
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club Members are reading No Autographs, Please! by Katherine Wiles. You can read their comments below, or add your own review.
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I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I can remember, across all genres. There’s not much I won’t at least try. I’ve been an enthusiastic book reviewer for years. I particularly enjoy discovering writers new to me, and sharing good writing with others.
My career has included time spent writing and editing technical documents, but it’s fiction that really moves me. I’ve reviewed for a number of different outlets over the years, and have been a judge in literary competitions.
I’m now raising little bookworms of my own, which brings a whole new kind of joy to sharing books.
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No Autographs, Please! By Katherine Wiles is a really enjoyable memoir of her life as a professional singer.
It gives a behind the scenes look into what does goes on behind the stage, and occasionally on it. The shenanigans the cast and crew get up to are definitely great reading, and I wish there were more included in the book.
Whilst I was aware that COVID had a big effect on the entertainment industry, this really put it into perspective, and makes me reflect on how many more people it affected.
For anyone wanting to enter the industry, this would make a great read, as it doesn’t sugar coat the work Katherine put in, and continues to do so, to get where she is.
Brava Katherine Wiles!
Written with a blend of humour and heart, No Autographs, Please! by Katherine Wiles is a well-written memoir that offers readers a fascinating glimpse into a world that often goes unnoticed. She takes us on a journey through her life in the chorus at Opera Australia, shedding light on the vital, yet often overlooked role of chorus members in the world of opera.
Through her candid reflections, the author challenges the common misconception that chorus members are merely singers who didn’t quite make it to the spotlight. Instead, she reveals the significance of their work, offering a very unique perspective.
The memoir also provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the life of the cast and crew backstage, filled with fun and lively shenanigans that take place both on and off the stage!
Overall, this is a must read for anyone looking for an engaging and insightful narrative.
No Autographs Please ! By Katherine Wiles
5/5 Stars
No Autographs please a beautifully written memoir about Katherine Wiles a beautiful chorus singer for the Australian Opera Chorus singing at the Sydney Opera House .
Katherine came from Hamilton New Zealand and finds herself preforming on one of the worlds iconic stages .
I like the authors honest portrayal of how she feels being a chorus singer as if she is nobody .
If the shows didn’t have the chorus singers there would be no stage shows as they are what brings the shows to life.
Katherine Also gets to meet so many legends of the stage like Dame Julie Andrews , Sigrid Thornton pictured in the book , Todd Mckenny also pictured and talked about in the book .
No Autographs Please is charming and funny and also about self discovery.
It is a delightful read for all ages .
Highly recommend.
No Autographs Please! was a different book than I usually read. It was interesting to learn about different aspects of her life in the chorus. It’s not a life many of us experience.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this enjoyable book.
No Autographs, Please! By Katherine Wiles is an engaging read that provides a fascinating insight into the life of someone who is seen as ‘just a part of the chorus’. Wiles is an accomplished opera singer who has spent the greater part of her career in the chorus – the often ignored or forgotten part of productions. People remember the star or lead of a show, but how many of us can name those in the chorus?
Katherine Wiles regales us with tales of her life in the chorus. We ride the highs and lows of auditions, laugh along with her tales of pranks and mishaps both on stage and behind the scenes and gain insights into the costumes and just what it is like to wear some of them. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and sincerely hope that Katherine Wiles writes another book when she retires as she has a way with words and I am sure, many more tales to tell.
Thank you to Beauty and Lace, and Echo Publishing or the opportunity to read and review this book.
Thank you so much Beauty and Lace and Echo Publishing for allowing me to read and review No Autographs, Please by Katherine Wiles.
It was a beautifully written memoir filled with wit, honesty and beautiful accounts of Katherine’s experiences as a performer.
She gave many insights into life on the road as an opera singer among other things.
She was very candid in telling of the highs and lows that came with the job.
Overall a very great read.