Scenes Seen

Rob Sitch (TV producer: Thank God You're Here, Utopia)

'This is a chronicle of an actor's life; the art, the craft, the people and the challenges. No wonder Jim got so good!' (Rob Sitch, TV producer, director, actor)

Ella Caldwell (Artistic Director, Redstitch Actors Theatre, Melbourne)

'Scenes Seen is a great read. Jim's book paints a loving picture of the persistence and struggle implicit in the life of an actor, while celebrating local artists. Aspiring actors would benefit from reading Scenes Seen, not only to gain a sense of history, but to consider this honest and colourful telling of the sacrifices, risks and rewards of their chosen path.'

Stephen Sewell (playwright of the Australian 'New Wave')

'This wonderful book deserves a place on every theatre lover's bedside table as an antidote to the cynical nihilism of contemporary DC Universe swipe culture numbing minds and spirits across the land. Filled as it is with the vibrant colour, charm and disgrace of Australian theatre over the past fifty years, Jim Daly's boisterous memoir, Scenes Seen , shakes with the excitement of one who was there cracking heads and breaking hearts as he celebrates the high and low-lights of the rambunctious Australian stage, reminding us of the profundity and utter rat-baggery of our great shambolic enterprise, A chronicle of the sacrifice, foolishness and sheer creative exuberance of our stubbornly optimistic theatre community, Scenes Seen buzzes with the excitement of the joyous activity it chronicles and celebrates, and reminds us once again of the mad joyfulness of our filthy art.'

Richard Piper (Actor)

Jim Daly calls his book Scenes Seen a memoir, but it is much more than that. Yes, it is a picaresque, moving and often comedic autobiography of a life in the theatre, but it is also an 80 year history of Melbourne and Australia told through the eyes of an actor. Daly's pride, conviction and love for his calling is an inspiration, and should be read by everyone. Yes, a memoir, but also a joyful, gutsy entertainment. One finishes the book exhilirated and full of hope, as his commitment and optimism are infectious.

Jim is a true Australian, but there is an Irish wackiness and artistic anarchy in the way he writes, and he writes extraordinarily well.

I finished the book with a sense of pride, grateful for the journey Daly had taken me on.