Maureen Lipman

Popular actress, writer and all-round wit Maureen Lipman takes a wry and satirical look at celebrity in her latest work, dubbed a Lipman-agerie.

Lipman turns her satirical mind to animal/human character mash-ups such as Brad Pitbull, Angie-lemur Jolie, Johnny Deppard, Jake Gorillanhall, Lu-seal Ball, Andy Warthog, Joan Crow-ford, Vanessie Redgrave, Harry Otter, Squirrelly Clinton and Giraffa Nadal. The idea came after Lipman did a doodle of a steer in a dinner jacket and named it Oscar Wildebeest. One character led to another and ended up in a lavishly illustrated book.

Lipman is an Olivier-winning actress who has played many leading theatrical, television and film roles during a long and successful career. She recently starred in the West End productions of Harvey and My Mother Never Said I Should and presented the six-part television series Treasures of Britain. Lipman writes regularly for Standpoint and Spectator Health and is author of a number of bestselling books.