The Years Before My Death written and read by David McPhail
Photo: Penguin Books New Zealand
David McPhail (1945 - 2021) was a writer, producer, actor and comedian who became one of the best-known people in New Zealand television.
In 2010, he published his best-selling memoir The Years Before My Death: Memories of a Comic Life.
In it, McPhail recounts his early life and what led him to pioneer the satirical TV programmes (including A Week of It and McPhail and Gadsby) for which he is famous, what drove him to perform comedy, and what was behind his desire to make New Zealanders laugh.
He tells of his creative friendships with the likes of A.K. Grant, Bruce Ansley and Jon Gadsby; his encounters with former Prime Minister Robert Muldoon, the comic genius Dudley Moore, and the television networks of the day.
As one would expect, every anecdote is told with insight, perfect timing and a glint in the eye.
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The Years Before My Death - Pt 1
10:45 AM.David McPhail reflects on the impact of his forebears and on being the son of an older father in his second marriage. He battles with a stammer and is selected for the Christchurch Cathedral choir. Audio
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The Years Before My Death - Pt 2
10:45 AM.David's father dies, his time at Cathedral Grammar ends, he discovers Shakespeare at Christchurch Boys High, joins The Press and is invited to be a television reporter on Town and Around. Audio
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The Years Before My Death - Pt 3
10:45 AM.David and Anne's two children are born and David works as a television producer with singers Tom Sharplin and Gary Glitter. Audio
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The Years Before My Death - Pt 4
10:45 AM.David enters the world of television comedy with Something to Look Forward To in 1976. He meets Christchurch comedians The Merely Players and finds his long-term comedy partner Jon Gadsby. Audio
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The Years Before My Death - Pt 5
10:45 AM.A Week of It is born and proves to be a television hit. Audio
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The Years Before My Death - Pt 6
10:45 AM.McPhail and Gadsby begins a long running and successful life for the two very popular television comedians, David McPhail and Jon Gadsby. Audio
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The Years Before My Death - Pt 7
10:45 AM.Prime Minister Robert Muldoon comes to watch himself being lampooned at Auckland's Ace of Clubs and David learns of the backfiring of satire. Audio
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The Years Before My Death - Pt 8
10:45 AM.Art critic Hamish Keith brings a defamation case against McPhail and Gadsby and David reflects on the state of NZ comedy. Audio
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The Years Before My Death - Pt 9
10:45 AM.Letters to Blanchy is born and David acts in a Restoration Comedy at Christchurch's Court Theatre. Audio
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The Years Before My Death - Pt 10
10:45 AM.Acting in King Lear with his daughter and playing George in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf prove to be highlights of David's theatrical life. Audio
