Australasia // 2 7 to 26 Jul Queensland Co. Optus Playhouse, Brisbane (Press Night 10 Jul) JANUARY 28 to 31 Aug Tropic Line TheatreTownsville, Queensland, Australia 2003 15 Nov to 20 Dec Melbourne Theatre Co Victoria then national tour 2003 (Press Night 19 Nov)

The Rest of the World Current Pieter Toerien Productions, Cape Town, Grahamstown, Jo’burg,

United Kingdom Hay Fever TBC New West End production starring Penelope Wilton IN THIS ISSUE 23 to 26 Apr Chesterfield Playgoers, The Pomegranate theatre, Chesterfield, Derbyshire NOËL COWARD & Page 1 - Report and pictures 26 May to 7 Jun Ilkley Players, The Playhouse Ilkley West from our celebration at The 10 to 12 Apr Aldbourne Light Entertainment Club, Memorial Hall, Aldbourne, Wilts Ivy, 17 to 21 Jun Kelvin Players DG The Redgrave Theatre, Bristol COMPANY AT THE IVY Page 3 - History and Review of 30 Apr to 3 May The Haven players, The Memorial Hall, Stone Cross, Eastbourne, East Sussex Page 5 COWARD x2 7 to 14 June Stockport , Stockport, Cheshire Page 6 Lovie Osborne’s Story 1 to 3 May The Hayes Players, The Village Hall, Hayes, Nr Bromley, Kent Page 7 Present Laughter 16 to 18 Oct Union Theatre, The Village Hall, Dorridge, Solihull, West Midlands Page 8 Noël Coward - A Brief Encounter Current to 30 Apr Noël Coward / Andrew Taylor - Middle Ground Theatre Co UK Tour Temperament In Harness 25 Apr to 17 May Queens Theatre, Hornchurch Page 10 Still Life in a Tube 13 &14 Dec Phoenix Players, Village Hall, Abertin, Glamorgan Pages 12 & Page 13 Come Into The Garden Maud 6 to 10 May Theatre,London SE27 Obituaries - Mary Ellis & Fallen Angels 15 to 24 Aug Hever lakeside Theatre, Kent Page 14 STOP PRESS Brief Encounter Current to 30 Apr Noël Coward / Andrew Taylor - Middle Ground Theatre Co UK Tour Page 15 Committee Spotlight 25 Apr to 17 May Noël Coward / Andrew Taylor - Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch Pages 15 & 16 WHAT’S ON? Relative Values 31 May to 7 Jun Halifax Thespians at The Playhouse, Halifax, West Yorkshire 10 to 12 April Phoenix Players, Arts Centre, St. Donats, LLanwit Mahor, Vale of Glamorgan. PLEASE NOTE: 10 to 14 June Maidenhead Operatic Society at Maidenhead Town Hall. www.mos-uk.org. The English used by the Blithe Spirit 6 Jun to 31 Oct Cumbria Theatre Trust, Theatre By The Lake, Keswick, Cumbria authors of articles in Home 11 to 16 & 18 to 30 Aug Jill Freud & Co, Southwold, Suffolk Chat is retained and are 28 to 31 May Storrington Dramatic Society, The Parrish Hall, Sullington, West Sussex therefore printed in either 10 to 15 June Attfiled Theatre Company Ltd. The Guildhall, Oswestry, Shropshire British or US English. 8 to 10 May Digswell Players, The Village Hall, Digswell, Nr, Welwyn, Herts. The printed price of Home 9 to 12 Apr 53 Theatre Group The Library Theatre Sheffield, South Yorks Chat has been amended to 14 to 16 May Beeston Players DG Roundhill School Beeston, Nottingham reflect its real cost - it 6 Jun to 31 Oct Cumbria Theatre Trust, Theatre By The Lake, Keswick, Cumbria remains free to members. 11 to 16 & 18 to 30 Aug Jill Freud & Co, Southwold, Suffolk 15 May to 7 Jun Theatre Clwyd, Mold Lorna Dallas and June Whitfield at The Ivy writer and our US at The Palace Theatre, Manchester Private Lives 6 Mar to 5 Apr The Octagon Theatre, Bolton. Contact Box Office 01204 520661.The production representative Ken Starrett. Sadly it went on to the Cambridge Thea- is directed by Octagon Artistic Director Mark Babych & features Coronation The celebration of the life and work was unable to be tre in London. She recalled the Street's Stephen Beckett (Dr.Matt Ramsden). of Noël Coward at The Ivy restau- with us but his best wishes and parties she enjoyed at Noël's homes 19 Sep to 11 Oct Theatre Royal, York rant and the Theatre Museum, support helped ensure a wonderful at Gerald Road and White Cliffs, 13 to 17 May The Riverside Players, The Heswall Hall, Heswall, Wirral Covent Garden could simply not have occasion. Following a toast to Sir 5 to 8 Nov Belmont Theatre Company, The Arts Centre, Harrow, Pinner, Middlesex Kent and the friendship of Graham 19 Sep to 11 Oct Theatre Royal, York been bettered. The sunshine wel- Noël Coward from Sheridan and Payn. She remembered her moth- Still Life 22 Apr to 9 May Tube Station, London comed members and guests from luncheon, June talked about an er’s joy when Noël asked if he Waiting In The Wings 30 Sep to 4 Oct The Old Market, Brighton across the globe into the gently lit early meeting with Noël when she could come along to a party June 10 to 12 Apr Angel Players, The Holy Angels Church Hall, Poole, Dorset private room at The Ivy. Guests auditioned for in 1950 was holding - everyone was natu- Critics Choice ***** This evening includes short pieces by 5 choreographers. One of the pieces included the actress June Whitfield, and secured the part of Sunny rally delighted that such an impor- uses Coward’s song Dearest Love and is choreographed by Matthew Bourne. singer Lorna Dallas, broadcaster and Claire. After a pre-West End run tant figure was attending. Noël 2&3 Apr The Lowry Salford played the and sang 1 May South Hill Park, Bracknell and behaved, as he would 20 & 21 May Nottingham playhouse have said ‘beautifully’. 28 & 29 May May Oxford Playhouse 2 Jun Salisbury Playhouse Later during a dinner with 5 June His Majesty’s, Aberdeen Hugh Martin and Jack 14 Jun Brighton Dome Gray at June’s home the 22 Jun Milton Keynes Theatre subject of which of Noël's 26 Jun Theatre Royal, Norwich plays would make a good musical was discussed, All correspondence for Home Chat to: The Noël Coward Society, 29, Waldemar Avenue, Hellesdon, Norwich, NR6 6TB June’s mother - a keen Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)1603 486 188 Fax: +44 (0)1603 400 683 amateur actor - suggested Page 16 Blithe Spirit. Some contribution to the development of Committee Spotlight ... more involved in production and I console myself with vanished years time later Coward was the Society - started in 1999 Stephen Greenman our new Secretary direction for some time. Since then he Remember laughter, remembered tears, won over by the idea through the efforts of Gareth Pike Stephen started his working life as an has been working in education And the peace of the changing sea and High Spirits was and Michael Imison. This box was auctioneer in the mid 70s but left the currently senior manager for a new born! The second treat from Noël's Cadogan Square UK a few years later to tour around college in Greenwich where he has When I feel sad, as Keats felt sad, That my life is so nearly done of the afternoon was apartment and was an engraved the world as a professional Ice Skater responsibility for finance and with Holiday on Ice. During which facilities. It gives me comfort to dwell upon the glorious singing of gift to him in 1931. Unusually, John Remembered who are dead and gone Lorna Dallas accom- was lost for words ... The lunch- time he discovered Coward whilst Footnote ... treading in his footsteps throughout And the jokes we had and the fun panied with panache eon ended when Robert Gardiner Sheridan Morley began our celebration the Far East and South America. He at The Ivy with this Coward verse: by Michael Haslam. presented flowers and gave a vote How happy they are I cannot know retired from the frozen stage in the mid When I have fears as Keats had fears Lorna sang a selection But happy am I who loved them so. of thanks for 90’s having stopped skating and being Of the moment I’ll cease to be of Noël's songs, some the marvellous © The Estate of the Late Noël Coward drawn from her recent contributions role in the concert version of Pacific 1860 at that both June WHAT’S ON? ACROSS THE GLOBE (* denotes Premiere, TBC = To be confirmed) New York’s, York Theatre. Amongst her Whitfield and Where known, professional companies are shown in red and amateur companies in black songs was a personal favourite Later Than Lorna Dallas America & Canada Spring used in but written had made to Blithe Spirit 24 Apr to 10 May Whitby Courthouse Theatre, Whitby, Ontario originally for a musical film of the same this wonderful Mar to Apr 2004 Denver Center, Denver, CO name that was simply never more than an celebration. Jul to Aug Atlantic Thr. Co., Wolfville, Nova Scotia idea. It is a beautiful expression of the value Robert was Jun to Aug Purple Rose Thr., Chelsea, Mich. Sep to Oct Utah (more information to follow...) of love found later in supported by Hay Fever 7 to 19 Jun The New Harmony Theatre Opening, New Harmony Indiana. life. Mad About the the whole 24 Jun to 31 Aug Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, Utah, USA. More Boy and Matelot company when info:www.bard.org. written for Graham, he thanked Geoffrey Skinner for June Westport Country Playhouse, Westport, Conn Payn were followed all his care and hard work in Sept.-Oct Pacific Repertory Thr., Carmel, CA by a selection from planning and managing such a Jul Highlands Playhouse, Highlands, South Carolina Pacific 1860 includ- splendid occasion. The Ivy had Suite in Two Keys 9 Jun Food for Thought Productions at Symphony Space, New York City ing the crowd-pleaser served us well. The level and 5 to 13 Feb 2004 Amicus Productions Toronto, Ontario Gipsy Melody which care of service was of a style Present Laughter 2 Mar to 1 Nov Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland OR. www.orshakes.org had accompanist that would have won Noël's 24 to 26 Apr Monashee Mountain Players, Rock Creek, BC Star Quality 7 Mar to 16 Apr The Pasadena Playhouse www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org for information. Michael Haslam approval - never intrusive but Relative Values 7 Jun to 5 Jul The Metropolitan Cooperative Theatre Society, Vancouver BC jumping up and joining always there! Waiting for Coward May 5th A play by Elizabeth Sharland at the Algonquin, NYC in during the last bars! Then off to Private Lives 8 to 17 May Gateway Theatre Guild, North Bay, Ontario Although this was a day to focus on the the Theatre 21 to 30 Aug Weston Playhouse in Weston, Vermont. Additional sheer pleasure that Sir Noël Coward has Museum information will appear on the theatre's website at www.westonplayhouse.org. given generations of theatregoers and lovers where Rexton 7 to 23 Apr Gimli Theatre Association, Gimli, Manitoba of music and words it did provide a chance Bunnett gave 20 to 30 Dec University of Windsor, School of Drama and Arts, Windsor, ON to celebrate the Society itself and its grow- a full-screen Sep to Nov Globe Thr., Regina, Saskatchewan., Canada, ; ing success in attracting so many enthusi- video presen- Jul to Aug Post Playhouse, Chadron, Nebr. Sep Riverside Thr., Iowa City, Iowa, asts of the Master. The recent growth of tation about Jul to Sep Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA the Society in the US is thanks to the hard Noël's plays, Jul to Aug The Red Barn Thr., Jackson Point, Ontario work and enthusiasm of Ken Starrett our musicals and Aug to Sep PCPA Theaterfest, Santa Monica, CA leading representative songs - with Jul Pioneer Valley Summer Thr.,Easthampton, Mass. in the US and the some fasci- Jul Timber Lake Playhouse, Mt. Carroll, Illinois inspiration and support nating pieces of silent footage from Aug Weston Playhouse, Weston, Vermont, of Barry Day and two of the stage musicals. With Aug to Sep Lamb's Players Thr., Coronado, CA Elizabeth Sharland. due recognition of the knowledge Apr Lock 3 Thr., St. Catharines, Ont. There is no doubt that about the Master shared by us all Jan to Feb, 2004 Lyric Stage, Boston, Mass. Apr to May New Stage Thr., Jackson, Miss. we are only at the he provided an informed pictorial May to June Olney Thr. Center, Olney, Maryland beginning of building on journey from London Calling to Aug Capitol Thr., Port Hope, Ontario the considerable Las Vegas cabaret with some Apr to May, 2004 Irish Classical Thr. Buffalo, NY interest in Noël and the footage that very few, if any, would Society in the US. One have seen before. With our thanks Europe unexpected surprise to Rex for providing the most Hay Fever 16/21/23/26/28 May THUNIS - Theater der Universität des Saarlandes, Saarbruecken was the presentation of relevant of endings to the day, we a cigarette box to John Knowles the Chair of the Society. In sped out into the dying sunshine and the crowds of an address by Sheridan Morley John was thanked for his Covent Garden. Page 2 Page 15 presented it at the Jermyn Street Sundays. Cost of the ticket includes a Barry Day reviews the history of his latest revival STOP PRESS ... Theatre in November 2001. This new meal - so it’s a really nice evening out!! Over My Shoulder production has been revised and there Tickets can be obtained from the box- where it had revived, it means that we now have Update ... are some new song additions and new office: 0118 9698000. web-site: been used for a way to test the appeal of a show cast members. It has a 5-week run at www.millatsonning.com Stewart Nicholls is directing and the subsequent to a contemporary audience that The Mill at Sonning - a Theatre just Following the run it plays for a week at choreographing a new production of Australian would otherwise only see its name the musical Over My Shoulder - the outside Reading. It is a lovely old the , South East production. in the pages of a theatrical history. story - featuring watermill that has been converted into London. 13th - 17th May. Tickets can Inevitably, there are some trade- songs by , , a theatre - and is set in the beautiful be obtained from their box-office on: For the Covent Noël Coward and Rodgers & Hart. Berkshire countryside. The run is from 0208 858 7755. Garden Festival offs and this is where the adaptor Anne Rogers and Helen Baker play 8th April - 10th May. Performances are Stewart hopes that you may be able to of that year - must tread lightly - especially with Jessie! Some of you may have seen the every evening (except Mondays) with come along and support the show! and the book. original production when it was matinees on Saturdays and some subsequently at No costumes and no sets. So who’s the Chicago who and where are we? An original COMMITTEE - 2003 When the Coward Centenary was Humanities Festival - we decided cast that’s too large to be practical. Who and what can you cut without Patron: Graham Payn approaching, I began to look around to restore the 1954 - Honorary President: Sir John Mills for some of Noël's lesser known Noël's musical version of Wilde’s endangering the author’s original Ali Howarth of CDs and books. Honorary Vice Presidents: Judy work that we might showcase, if Lady Windermere’s Fan. Most of intention? How, in general terms, Ali represents Alan Brodie Representa- Gareth Pike email: [email protected] Campbell Moira Lister Sheridan Morley the orchestrations were extant, can you abbreviate a piece paced tion who administer the Estate of the Student, general and biographical only as some sort of reward for Consultants Philip Hoare Joel Kaplan for an audience of an earlier era to Late Noël Coward queries - has an extensive collection of loyalists who could already quote though with several awkward gaps. Chair - John Knowles keep the attention of a Ned Chaillet Coward theatre programmes the ‘classics’ word for word. In this case we bit the bullet and email:[email protected] contemporary audience that gets Ned is a producer at BBC Drama Stephen Marshall email: I was particularly anxious to see paid musicologist and conductor, John is a Director of NC Ltd. Peter Tummons [email protected] one or more of the musicals revived John McGlinn to fill in those gaps, the point faster and has a shorter Membership Secretary - Geoffrey Peter is the director of Methuen Drama Has detailed knowledge and archives so that the piece could be attention span? Skinner - and there the problems began. publishing of information on the recordings, In approaching After the Ball I took email: geoffrey@samuelfrench- Orchestrations - or, rather, the lack performed with full orchestra. So it Marcy Kahan - Media Representative programmes, tributes plus extensive a leaf out of Noël's own book. london.co.uk of them. Many of the composers of was - and very fine it sounded. Marcy is a screenwriter and stage collection of newspaper cuttings. Geoffrey is a representative of Samuel the ‘golden age’ suffer in the same But it was when we staged it again When he came to produce dramatist. For enquiries about amateur rights French way. The show would have its run in New York that a fundamental Conversation Piece on LP in 1956 Barbara Longford for plays please contact the following. Secretary - Stephen Greenman truth emerged that will, I believe, with Lily Pons reprising Yvonne Lawton Clark - Media Representative Samuel French Ltd, 52 Fitzroy Street, and then - presumably because the [email protected] Printemps’ role as Melanie, he used Stuart Clark - Student Representativve London W1T 5JR, United Kingdom Tel: producer didn’t have a revival in help us to bring Noël's theatre Stephen is a senior manager for a his own narration in rhyming 020 7255 4302 for the UK mind and because the music to wider audiences in the college in Greenwich. couplets to link the musical US Representatives Samuel French Inc., 45 West 25th orchestrations were bulky to store - future... Treasurer - Graham Martin email Ken Starrett in New York email: Street, New York, NY 10010, USA out they would go. It was the same ‘concert’ version numbers. While I didn’t need to cut email:[email protected] [email protected] Phone (212) 206-8990 Fax (212) 206- that we had played twice before his (and Wilde’s) dialogue to any Graham is a partner of Blinkhorns For most of Noël's shows we could James O’Brien in Philadelphia email: 1429 appreciable extent, I felt I had tacit (Accountants) find only partial orchestrations and but this time all we had was a [email protected] Samuel French Ltd.,7623 Sunset approval to speed things up and Michael Imison for several only the piano and vocal single piano accompaniment. As Walter Smyth in Trevose near Phila- Boulevard, Hollywood CA 90046 USA Michael is a director of Noël Coward score. Yes, they could be the evening developed, it became cover gaps by using the same delphia email:[email protected] Samuel French (Canada) Ltd., 100 Ltd. and is the immediate Past Chair of reconstructed from recordings but clear that - in eliminating, by device - and to date I have not been Alan Farley in San Francisco email: Lombard Street - Dept.W , Toronto, the Society necessity, the elaborate sets, aware of any celestial finger [email protected] Ont., Canada M5C 1M3 only at prohibitive cost. Robert Gardiner wagging. Jeff Bierig Chicago and the Midwest Phone (416) 363-3536 Fax (416) 363- At that point a game of detection costumes and orchestrations - we Robert is a Director of Noël Coward A Narrator has another dramatic email: [email protected] 1108 can begin. When it came to reviving had revealed the kernel of the Ltd. & a trustee of the Noël Coward advantage in staging a period piece. For professional rights to all written Sail Away with at piece. It was a ‘chamber musical’ Foundation. work: Carnegie Hall, we found we had - essentially an intimate story and He or she can give the audience an Gareth Pike QUERIES TO ... Alan Brodie Representation, 211, not a spectacle. Not only did you attitude towards the piece from the Gareth is a Past Secretary of the John Knowles email: most of Peter Matz’s revised Piccadilly, London, W1J 9HF, United outset. By his tone the Narrator can Society. [email protected] orchestrations but what had not need the trappings, they Kingdom suggest how you should react to Claire Osborne General knowledge of Coward, editor happened to the originals? The actually got in the way. Tel: +44 (0) 20 7917 2871 Fax: +44 (0) 20 Claire represents Warner Chappell of Home Chat and the Website. Carnegie producer had the brilliantly We found out something else. what you are about to see. “Yes, 7917 2872 music publishers Michael Imison email: simple idea of phoning Donald Noël's lyrics are invariably so we know this isn’t the way things For enquiries and rights regarding Stewart Nicholls [email protected] literate and witty that it is easy for are now - and, to be fair, it may not music, sheet music and scores contact: Seawell, a lawyer who was one of Stewart is a Theatre Producer/Director Has detailed knowledge of the plays have been the way things were then Warner Chappell Music Group Ltd., the producers of the 1961 original them to get lost in the singing. The Barry Day and UK and US productions. - but, since we’re all modern Griffin House, 161 Hammersmith Road, production. Why, yes - he had them simple piano accompaniment Barry is an established author and Dominic Vlasto email: sophisticates here, why don’t we London, W6 8BS, United Kingdom there in his Denver office. Would allowed them to speak - or rather, Coward historian and US Consultant [email protected] Phone: 44-208-563-5800 Fax: 44-208-563- we like them? Even then there was sing out - for themselves for the relax and indulge ourselves in what- Stephen Marshall Specialist in Coward musicology & 5801 first time. So virtue emerged from might-have-been for a couple of Knew Noël Coward and was the performance, songs & lyrics and one song missing that we wanted to or Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.,10585 hours? Secretary of the First-Nighters recordings. use. “Bronxville Darby and Joan” necessity and, since the economics Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, I took the character of the Duchess Jane Finch Geoffrey Skinner (Samuel French) had been cut from of staging a full scale revival mean CA 90025-4950, U.S.A. Jane is very active in the world of email: geoffrey@samuelfrench- production but used in London. The in practice that only a handful of of Berwick and made her into the Tel: 1-310-441-8600 Fax 1-310-470-6399 drama in the West Midlands london.co.uk Membership and all sales music finally turned up in Australia, the old faithfuls are likely to be Narrator. Every so often she would Page 14 Page 3 pop up to comment on what was he was instinctively keeping the prominent Stirling family on the who could capture that Coward style,” accompanist. No one, but no one will background, to lose his boyhood going on and push the action along, score intact, in case one day... island of Samolo, has been said Morley: ever be as good,” Blackman says. stammer and his broad before stepping back into her own The simple economic fact of simplified by means of a clever “He was one of the last gentlemen His CD recordings include The Piano accent – and “to overcome his personal character in the play. Having theatrical life is that we are never narration, delivered amusingly and artists. Singers adored him because he Music of William Blezard (2001) played demons of doubt and worry”. by Eric Parkin, with a second volume He and his family lived in a rambling watched her do that with several likely to see a full scale revival of with great charm by Simon Jones. never wanted to be a star. He knew his due out this year; ‘Battersea Park Suite’ house just off Barnes Common, the audiences convinced me that the any Coward musical, costumed and Enacting the role of the Governor, place, which was on the piano stool. With his wild hair he looked like on the collection British Light Music living room dominated by his grand device worked and was in keeping complete with a cast of thousands. he sings ‘His Excellency Regrets’ Beethoven, but inside lurked a naughty Discoveries, 4 (2001); the orchestral piano. Whenever he wanted to with Noël's intention. She took the But we can see the characters and in a most entertaining fashion. The schoolboy. I have never seen anyone overture ‘Caramba’ from 1966 released emphasise a point, he would leap up to audience by the elbow and let them hear the songs that were sung in role of Elena (originated by Mary else play while lying on their back on British Light Overtures (2002); ‘Two demonstrate on the keys. He never relax and enjoy the words and Noël's head and heart and that, Martin) was played with sparkling under the piano, so all you could see Celtic Pieces’ on English Oboe retired and the night before he died he music. surely, is what matters ? energy by Nancy Anderson whose was his fingers.” Concertos (2001), played by the was performing at a charity concert in When it came to Pacific 1860 I Next stop - Conversation Piece ? lovely soprano voice made ‘I Saw Blezard was musical director in 1986 for English Northern Philharmonia; and Barnes. decided to use the same device, in No Shadow On The Sea’ a the musical Café Puccini with Nicola ‘Duetto’ (1951), played by the Royal what was a harder piece to adapt. Ken Starrett reviews the recent romantic highlight. To ‘Alice Is At McAuliffe, and then played for Honor Ballet Sinfonia on English String With grateful thanks to Robert Miniatures, Vol. 3 (2001). Gardiner for drawing attention to this Lady Windermere’s Fan was a production at the York Theatre It Again’ (cut from the original Blackman in The Life and Times of Blezard never stopped working to excellent obituary and to the known quantity; it had had its own production), she brought her sharp Yvette Guilbert and Dishonorable Ladies. Blezard and Blackman worked improve his technique, says his son Independent newspaper - Tuesday audience for over a century. Pacific The 34-year-old York Theatre sense of humor. Milan Cronovich, together for the next 10 years. “William Paul. He worked equally hard, too, 11th March 2003 1860 was entirely a figment of Company, currently under the portraying one of the Stirling sons, was my staunch support and brilliant although not ashamed of his humble Noël's imagination. Even the island guidance of Artistic Director, Kerry (the role originated by of Samolo was an invention - though James Morgan, has a strong, Graham Payn), has a warm ... Continued from page 7 seizing the opportunity to make a few century denied to Coward. From Jamaica keeps springing insistently ongoing connection with Noël baritone voice, which when joined opposite is true of Present Laugh- good jokes at his own expense. knowing looks at the reference to to mind. Coward. Productions of his plays with Ms. Anderson made the duets ter . Here most of the main char- “Boy Scouts” to Garry and Morris Here I took the character of include Quadrille and Nude with ‘Bright Was The Day’ and ‘My acters are actually collapsing into a Grayshott, the Governor General Violin. It was the first theatre in Horse Has Cast A Shoe’ at once having sex compromising position on and paterfamilias. Why not have the United States to present lilting and charming. Lorna Dallas outside mar- the floor, this production him tell the story in a sort of riage (even the loses no opportunity to flashback, addressing a modern valet). All of plant this form of humour audience as the storyteller of a them except in the virgin soil of the charming romance that happened Garry (and the play. I suspect Noël way back when? By identifying with valet) go to would have winced, him, you follow where he leads and great lengths, though even he would smile with the characters rather as in conven- have to acknowledge that than at them. tional farce, to times have changed. Intention is all very well but the conceal what Present Laughter audience determines the reaction. they are doing, by Noël Coward The reception the piece received while they UK Tour recently in its five performances at attack Garry Presented by Theatre New York’s, York Theatre would for his lack of Royal Bath Produc- seem to suggest that, ironically, a discretion. tions First performed January 21 seen-it-all-been-there-done-that- When, as in bought-the-T-shirt audience is in Dominic Dromgoole’s touring pro- 2003 at the Theatre Royal Barry Day (left) with Simon Jones (centre) and the cast. conventional farce, all is finally Brighton more of a mood for romance than revealed, Garry rounds on them and duction of the play takes its cue that austerity-conditioned British Director Dominic Dromgoole Sheridan Morley’s Noël and was the very proper matriarch of attacks them not for their infidelities almost exclusively from the farcical Design Michael Taylor audience of 1947. Which says Gertie. With the eagerly awaited the Stirling family, and was also but for their hypocrisy and for element. Perhaps he believes that in Lighting Natasha Chivers something about both and American premiere of Pacific cast in the role of the sophisticated, turning a straightforward recrea- the twenty-first century the lesson Garry Essendine Rik Mayall the timelessness of the piece. 1860, they have added another worldly Rosa, duenna and tional activity into an excuse for about being honest and open has Liz Essendine Caroline Harker And then there’s the score. One of jewel to the Coward crown. confidante to Elena. She and Ms. drama and treachery. He, who is been learnt. In Rik Mayall he has a Morris Dixon Gerard MacArthur The Master’s most romantic and The script of the lavish 1946 Anderson had delicious fun with always being accused of acting in leading man whose grotesque televi- Henry Lyppiatt John Dougall amusing but - because so many of production, which had a large ‘Gypsy Melody.’ Her rich, soaring private life, is, as he says to Joanna, sion performances raise expectations Joanna Lyppiatt Kim Thomson Monica Reed Pooky Quesnell the songs spring straight from the chorus and 43 speaking roles, has interpretation of ‘This Is A Night fundamentally honest. He is happy which are amply satisfied here. He Fred John Dougall plot - largely unheard except for been skilfully adapted by Barry For Lovers’ and ‘This Is A leaps into the part with vigour, his to enjoy sex as long as it’s offered Miss Erikson Joanne Howarth that handful of Coward devotees Day for a talented cast of only 11. Changing World’ was truly but when it’s not will be equally grimaces and exaggerated gestures who have managed to unearth the Daphne Stillington Sally Bretton Condensing and double-casting memorable. Stephen Mo Hanan, a happy with an apple and a good never failing to raise a laugh. He is Lady Saltburn Susan Porrett original cast recording. “We’re have made a staged concert most engaging actor, got a chance book. This, to me, has the ring of an matched by William Mannering’s Roland Maule William Mannering Living in a Changing World” was version possible that is smoothly to display his versatility with the authentic opinion and I believe that hysterical and overtly gay Roland briefly considered for the later Sail directed by Simon Jones. The characterizations of Mr. Stirling, the it was to make this point that Maule. Homosexual humour is Photograph by Jane Sallis at: Away but it almost seems as though complicated plot, involving the stern head of the family, and Felix, Coward wrote the play, while another freedom of the twenty-first www.orangeneko.com/rik/photos.htm Page 4 Page 13 the management to buy an upright the excitable manager trying to approaching middle age William Bechstein at ’ sale. entice Elena back to her concert with some reluctance. After this production, Grenfell decided career. The daughters of the Years ago, they had that Blezard’s piano skills were such Stirling family (condensed from 6 to shared a French lover that she no longer needed an orchestra. Blezard 2) were brightly played by Emily and are now tremulously He could play any tune by ear, arrange Rozek and Christina Morrell, while awaiting his return. it in any key or style and transcribe it Michael McEachran gave the role ’s exuberant on to paper without a piano. She wrote Nearly fifty years later, of the elder Stirling son, Rollo, a musical director in her 1979 autobiography, In Pleasant in Age Cannot Wither, Places: crisp authority. The four Stirling he speculates what children clearly enjoyed performing William Blezard was a talented “He is compounded of compressed might have happened to composer who was musical director to energy, employed at its best when he is the humorous ‘Uncle Harry,’ which three women - not unlike Noël Coward, and playing the piano, then it is wholly was definitely an audience favorite. them - who are now in Joyce Grenfell. controlled. His familiarity with the Melissa Rain Anderson was their sixties and meet For 20 years from 1954 he composed keyboard has the naturalness of Penelope, a friend of the family, and every year to exchange breathing; and he moves in it with When BBC2 was launched in 1964, Grenfell’s songs and spoof operettas gave the audience a special treat news and gossip and confidence, dexterity and grace.” Blezard was one of the musical such as Freda and Eric. They with her rendition of ‘I Wish I have a drink or two ... performed on stage and television all Grenfell insisted on Blezard’s receiving directors for the innovative children’s programme Play School with Johnny Wasn’t Quite Such A Big Girl.’ or three ... while they do so. over Britain, America and Australia. He equal credit, and she would complain to On Monday, March 17, 2003 Ball and . Anne Reay, who Giving strong support in various In 1921, on his first impoverished could play her entire repertoire from the organisers if he was left off a poster at The University Club 1 West 54th or not mentioned in a review. She also was a producer, says, “His job was to other roles were Jeff Edgerton and trip to New York, the youthful memory, even though she often Street, New York, there was an pushed for higher fees, and persuaded improvise music to the action of the Dan Maceyak. Noël was saved from starving by changed the running order at the last evening of Coward to benefit the moment. To warm up before a show the BBC to increase his fee from 10 to presenters – anything from a storm at ‘Pacific 1860’ has a beautiful score. his new friends, Alfred Lunt and Shakespeare Globe Centre USA. It they would improvise fake Debussy 200 guineas for two cabaret television sea to ice-cream melting. His Neglected far too long, it was Lynn Fontanne. Not yet ‘The interpretation was always exuberant.” featured Rosemary Harris, Sally and mock Schubert; he learned to play shows. treated with great care by musical Lunts’- and not even married - He also worked on the 1970s adult Ann Howes, Barrie Ingham, over hailstorms in Melbourne, cowboy Diana Lyddon was the stage manager supervisor, Jack Lee, and pianist, they became his friends for the for Grenfell’s 1960 British tour: literacy programme On the Move with Simon Jones, and Hayley Mills films in Sydney, bagpipes in Auckland Eugene Gwozdz. Members of the next fifty years. “The venues were often town halls. . in Noël Coward’s Age Cannot and the police radio on Grenfell’s mike. audience were indeed fortunate to Such are the well-known facts. Blezard was born in 1921 near Burnley, They were all under contract to provide In 1965 he took over from Burt Wither and Barry Day’s Noël & Bacharach as Marlene Dietrich’s have the chance to hear these Noël wrote three plays especially Lancashire. His parents worked in the a tuned Steinway grand. As I was Alfred & Lynn. musical director and toured with her lovely melodies. for them, in one of which, the local cotton mill and as a child he wore trying to fix the lighting, Bill would This successful evening raised stomp in and say, “Bloody awful piano worldwide. “We had a row in every Following the matinee 1933 Design for Living, he also clogs. The mill-owner’s daughter some $20,000 for the Center again.” The next time we toured Hilton in Europe,” he said. “But she performances, Barry Day and acted himself. spotted his musical talent and founded in 1974 by Sam persuaded a friend to pay for piano together I always checked in advance.” always made up for it in champagne members of the cast answered In researching my books on him, I Wanamaker. It provides support for lessons. On leaving Clitheroe Royal At Grenfell’s last performance, for the afterwards.” At one London show, questions from the audience. In came across the letters they sent to was sitting in the front the Globe Theatre in London and Grammar School in 1938 he won a Waterloo Dinner at Windsor Castle in spite of a dated, old-fashioned book, each other over the years. Reading row. As Blezard came to the end of the for a programme of readings, county scholarship to the Royal June 1973, she insisted she would only many felt the music provided a most them gave you the texture of their College of Music and at the outbreak dine with the Queen if William and Joan opening national anthem, Morley leant delightful evening. There were a lot lectures, research and services forward and said, “So far, so good.” relationship - the news, the chat, of the Second World War he became an Blezard were invited too. The Queen of interesting queries concerning the throughout the US and in London. Blezard was accompanying Dietrich in the teasing - and I had the vision of RAF Morse code operator in Scotland. chose the programme, including history of Pacific 1860 and also Here are Barry Day’s notes for the Blezard’s favourite “The Battle March Australia in 1975 when she broke her the three of them, sitting timelessly in After the war he returned to the Royal other works of Noël Coward. evening: of Delhi”, a melodramatic Victorian leg on stage, her final performance. that Great Green Room-in-the-sky, College, where he won the Cobbett At the end of the opening night Prize for composition for a Fantasy song involving colonels, marauders In 1983 Sheridan Morley engaged reminiscing still. Hence - with a performance, James Morgan Noël & Will ... String Quartet. He then wrote music for and bugles. Blezard in 1983 as musical director for little help from The Master - ’s documentary films at Grenfell supported the Blezard family in Noël and Gertie, which began its long presented Ms. Anderson and Ms. an odd couple? Noël&Alfred&Lynn ... unexpected ways – she bought them a run with at the King’s Dallas with flowers and read the Denham Studios and many others Not really. Name two other men including The Cardboard Cavalier dishwasher one Christmas, wrote Head, Islington. Lumley recalls: message from a very special who had such effortless command (1949 , with Margaret Lockwood), Beau birthday songs for their children, Paul It was a tiny cast in a tiny theatre with telegram: “I really can’t tell you Brummell (1953, with ), and Pookie, and contributed to Paul’s no dressing rooms but Bill helped make how thrilled and pleased I am of the English language and who it one of the happiest jobs I ever did. and Noël Coward’s The Astonished first motorbike. Every summer, Joyce that you are going to revive dear could cloak wisdom with wit. He was a life-enhancer who treated Heart (1949). and Reggie Grenfell treated William and old ‘Pacific 1860.’ Noël would And then The Master had such Joan to a week at the Aldeburgh Music every performance as if it was the In 1954 Blezard had arranged a be, too. He always felt it was one high regard for The Bard that he performance for two with Festival. For the royal opening of Wigmore Hall. took the title of several of his For in the next cast, of his most charming scores and and Sydney Carter. It Snape Maltings concert hall in 1967, own plays from him. This Happy Blezard was “the musician’s musician”: that it was never heard to was Swann who introduced Blezard to Blezard and Grenfell composed a Breed (Richard ll) ... Present surprise song for . He “Even under the spotlight, he was advantage in that drafty, war- Joyce Grenfell, and she engaged him as Laughter (Twelfth Night) ... and was so overwhelmed that he burst into oblivious to anything other than the damaged theatre he always her musical director. During rehearsals from Antony and Cleopatra, his the same year for Joyce Grenfell tears. music and he wouldn’t let you get away referred to as Dreary Lane! last unfinished play - Age Cannot Requests the Pleasure, Blezard married In 1957 Blezard was musical director in with a mistimed quaver. When my first Good Luck to all of you. Bright the conductor Joan Kemp Potter. The London and New York for John son was born, he wrote him a lullaby was the day you decided to do it.” Wither. for clarinet and piano, and sent us both show lasted for over a year, ending its Osborne’s , starring Graham Payn In 1923, Coward wrote Fallen West End run at St. Martin’s, where the . Twenty years later he the sheet music and a recording.” Angels, in which two ladies are More on our new book offer for piano was so bad that Blezard asked played for in the same role. “Bill Blezard was the one composer ‘Coward On Film’ soon.. Page 12 Page 5 A Story across the years sent in from Adelaide, Australia ... she joined the . with , an Irish matinee Mary Ellis, Her father, who had arrived from idol, in productions that included a long- The following newspaper and such loyalty and affection among his by yet more autograph hunters! He Germany with only a few coins in his running modern dress version of The newsletter extracts follow the legion of friends and fans. very graciously signed everything London Star of pocket, eventually became president Taming of the Shrew. They married journey of a cherished red carna- Lovie Osborne’s story is a snap of from matchboxes to scraps of of Consolidated Paper Mills. Her on a whim in 1929. tion (Noël's favourite flower) Adelaide theatre history from 60 paper. I then said to my friends, mother showed promise as a Concert There were professional tensions Stage and Screen, between the two, some caused by the garnered by a fan during the visit years ago. It reveals not only Noël ‘Well I did it!’ They replied. ‘That Coward’s remarkable charisma but was TOO easy, now get his offers she received to act in plays and Noël Coward made to Australia in Is Dead at 105 films for which her husband was turned 1940. captures the personality of a very carnation!!!’ My goodness another A prolific actress who performed down. They appeared together in persistent and highly spirited young challenge! I then asked Mr. Coward many plays in London until their her last role, on television, at 97 woman. It’s not everyone who can if he would mind giving me his marriage collapsed in a highly public The Lovie Osborne claim Noël Coward said of her: You Carnation as a souvenir of the By DOUGLAS MARTIN divorce. But she was always busy are the most persuasive woman I evening. ‘Oh no, no, no! was his Mary Ellis, the young opera singer with her own career, including a deal Story have ever met. reply. I then said, “I have not asked for whom wrote to make three pictures for Paramount. At our October meeting last year, The Noël Coward Appreciation you for your autograph and have Rose-Marie in 1924 and who later Though her movies, including All the the Noël Coward Appreciation Society is very grateful to Mrs Lovie helped you. If you give me your became the queen of musicals in King’s Horses (1934), were London, died there on Thursday at her Society was presented with two Osborne. Not only for her generous carnation I will take you back to the considered mediocre at best, her home on Eaton Square. She was 105, acting and singing voice drew praise. remarkable souvenirs of Noël donation of Noël Coward’s red official party away from this mad including the three years that Hollywood Graham Greene lamented “the waste of carnation, but for her feisty crowd!” He replied, “You are the Coward’s visit to Adelaide in publicists subtracted in the 1930’s. her sensuous appeal, her Bacchanalian December 1940. Through her determination to get what she was most persuasive woman I have ever Her title role in the operetta Rose- gleam” in that film. nephew Lyndon Whaite and his wife after. After all these years, we are met!” and then kindly gave me his Marie, her first venture into musical She also appeared successfully in Pam, Mrs. Lovie Osborne of Port the heirs of her powers of trademark carnation. I then escorted theater, was one of the biggest dramas, like the London production of Broadway hits of the 1920’s, running Vincent gave into our safekeeping a persuasion. him back to the official party in their Mary Ellis & - Strange Interlude in 1931. But her pressed scarlet carnation which she In recognition of her generosity and box. The rest of the story you know for 558 performances. Arthur The Dancing Years greatest fame was in musicals and by had begged of Noël Coward during personal experience in meeting Noël by the newspaper cutting. Hammerstein, the producer, ordered it pianist before her marriage. Miss the late 1930’s, she was one of the most a Red Cross charity ball at the Palais Coward, The Noël Coward With the Association being the written especially for her, and long Ellis’s parents wanted her to be a popular stars of the West End, before Jeanette MacDonald’s hit Royal on the evening of Tuesday Appreciation Society of South custodian of the carnation as you painter, but after hearing Geraldine appearing in shows created by version of “Indian Love Call” from Novello and in costumes by Cecil 10th December. Along with the Australia has offered Mrs Lovie stated it could still be in existence in Farrar sing, she once said, “there the 1936 film adaptation, critics was nothing in my mind but opera.” Beaton. Some of the shows Novello beautifully preserved red carnation in Osborne Honorary Life Membership another 60 years It is a piece of universally hailed Miss Ellis’s highly At 18, she signed a four-year wrote for her included Glamorous of the society, which she has theatrical history, probably not its pressed cellophane wrapping trained singing. contract with the Met. She had Night and The Dancing Years, came two Advertiser articles about graciously accepted, known to many people. Again my Her dramatic career lasted until she important roles, including Mityl in the During World War II, Miss Ellis the event. A remarkable woman; a remarkable thanks for the lovely carnation it was 97, although she appeared premiere of Albert Wolff’s Blue Bird. spent three years working as an One article, Mrs. Worthington man; a remarkable story. Thank you was much appreciated exclusively in England after the She sang a minor part with Enrico ambulance driver and a practical nurse. Song Appreciated By Theatre Folk, again Mrs Osborne for trusting us Yours sincerely, Lovie Osborne 1930’s, partly because of a breach with Caruso in one of his last She went on to win excellent reviews tells the story of how one girl from with the story and your treasures. Hammerstein that kept her permanently performances, in Donizetti’s Elisir for a string of postwar roles, (During our October meeting, we Theatre party off the American musical stage. d’Amore, in Brooklyn in 1920. Against including a leading part in Terence 14 Beeston Street entrusted a fresh red carnation to Her London stage consort, the souvenired Mr. Coward’s scarlet all advice, she left the Met to act in Rattigan’s hit drama The Browning Port Vincent SA 5581 Lyndon and Pam Whaite which composer and actor Ivor Novello, a Version. carnation. That girl was Lovie Shakespearean productions on 23 October 2002 they delivered to Mrs Osborne in leading rival of Noël Coward, called Broadway for the actor and producer She retired from the stage in 1970 Osborne who in a letter to the Port Vincent. We thank them very her his inspiration and built several David Belasco. That work led to but continued to act on television in president describes how it all came Dear Mr. Hailstorm much for their kindness, and hits around her. She also had a major Rose-Marie, originally about a sweet radio plays. Her last role, in 1994 was about. Mrs. Oshorne’s letter is My nephew Lydon was sure you welcome them especially as new London success with ’s French-Canadian girl and her love for in the Sherlock Holmes television series printed in this edition of the would like to know how I acquired Music in the Air. members of NCASSA) a fur trapper wrongly accused of starring . newsletter together with a second the carnation from Noël Coward. I Miss Ellis’s glamorous circle Miss Ellis leaves no immediate The original newspaper articles murder. (The Canadian mountie, a Advertiser article telling the was at a Red Cross Ball at the Palais included Fred and Adele Astaire, minor role in the stage version, survivors. Her last husband was Jock are shown below: Harpo Marx and , Muir Stewart Robinson, whom she remarkable story of how Coward Royal with a group of amateur became the love interest in the met and remembered the name of a theatrical friends and somehow I was Noël Coward with whom she fell fruitlessly in love. In movie, in which he was personified married in 1938 after a hectic courtship. her Hollywood career, Fritz Lang and young sailor whose mother had challenged to see if I could get Mr. by Nelson Eddy). Miss Ellis left the He was an enthusiastic pilot, skier and Marlene Dietrich were her great climber, and although she hated offered him hospitality on holiday 26 Coward to join our party! Never being Remembers ... show after a year to appear in The A man in naval uniform came up to friends. Her personal life was Dybbuk a dramatic production at the mountain climbing willingly years before. Coward was one to back away from a challenge, I chronicled, husband by husband, in the Noël Coward last night at the ball Neighborhood Playhouse on the East accompanied him. He died in a renowned for his ability to remember waited until the official party did not press. “We were all mad and in love climbing accident in 1950. She never at the Palais Royal. Side, where she happily traded a people. There are many stories of surround him then slipped into the box with life and work, and each other,” weekly paycheck of $500 for $10. Arthur married again. “Do you remember me?” he him coming up with names of adjoining his. I tapped him on the she wrote in her autobiography, Hammerstein was furious and forced warded soldiers in the field hospitals shoulder and asked if he would like to asked. Noël Coward looked at him Those Dancing Years (John Murray, her to sign an agreement preventing With thanks to the New York Times he visited whom be had met only join our party He looked me over from for a moment, then his face lit up. 1982). her from singing for any management sent in by Ken Starrett once often years before. His ability top to toe and finally said ‘You lead on “Etheridge,” he exclaimed. “Corn- Miss Ellis was born May Belle Elsas but his. She never sang onstage in to focus on and take in people is one and I’ll follow’ which he did. Arriving wall when you were eight year’s on June 15, 1897, at 131 West 95th Street the United States again. (A notable omission is her in . Her name, considered too of the reasons Coward engendered at our box, the poor man was besieged old and I was 14. I spent a holiday Miss Ellis had already been divorced appearance in After The Ball!) German sounding, was changed when twice when she began appearing Page 6 Page 11 step to take as time passes, but to have been so successful so long? personal quality of life-in-art even with your mother.” Flashing photographers’ lights, a theatre leaders were presented to watch it occur in someone of so if the kinds of art they created tarnish “That’s right,” replied the naval crowd of nurses from the Royal him and he chatted with each one, exceptional a talent as Coward is They add up, however, to a larger for posterity, just as Gershwin man. “What a memory you’ve got!” Adelaide Hospital, and an informal talking of plays and stage matters. saddening when it is matched by attitude which, I think, will endure. marked an epoch with his own The two men talked for a few guard of honour of theatre folk A scribbled note from a member of no loss of vitality. Is he, perhaps, I have already quoted Tynan’s legend, so Coward will continue to moments about old times and old greeted Mr. Coward when he the Independent theatre party too gifted, too manifold? Did the name for it: Coward “romps provoke curiosity and admiration. friends, and Mr. Coward gave his arrived at the Palais, and followed brought him on a visit to the box gods who be-stowed on him so lavish fastidiously.” He will remain the friend of childhood days messages by a throng of admirers, he found where he was immediately mobbed a dowry add one mean gift to the symbol of a special quicksilver This article is taken from a to take home to those who were his way by a roundabout route to the by autograph hunters from other package: reluctance to examine temperament; and not a Theatre Arts Magazine dated kind to him when he was an un- official box at the edge of the floor. parts of the hall. from time to time a set of attitudes temperament only, but temperament 1964 and was kindly provided known aspirant for stage fame. It took him some time to get from His scarlet carnation was and responses which remain in harness. Just as Diaghilev and by Ken Starrett his car to the box, for excited young souvenired by one girl and he signed unchanged only because they Cocteau will be remembered for a Mrs. Worthington people clustered around him, de- programmes, match boxes, odd manding autographs and calling scraps of paper and Red Cross used in the film Brief Encounters,” projects here.” Song Appreciated By welcomes which he acknowledged favors for eager young people. Still Life puts she said. “They’re very English The station built in 1898 and opened with his infectious grin. From there he went on to the Little relationships,” to the public in 1907, has been used Theatre Folk Dancers ignored the music from the Theatre’s box, where the same life into Tube A second season of plays is sched- by a number of universities, includ- “Don’t Put Your Daughter On The band, and clustered round the box excited scenes occurred and at the uled to take place early next year, ing the University of East London, Stage Mrs. Worthington,” had a where Mr. Coward chatted and end he had almost to fight his way station consisting of 12 plays by 12 direc- for displaying art students’ final- more than ordinary meaning last smiled with everyone before going back to the official box. tors Alex Clifton, the organiser, said year projects. There have also been night when Noël Coward sang it, to the stage for his songs. By Jack Malvern, Arts Reporter that the plays would be themed to film screenings, including An Ameri- with appropriate gestures, to the He soon captured his audience with The Advertiser The Times match the venue and that tickets can Werewolf In London last year crowd of amateur theatre people at his clever acting and singing and Wed. 11th December 1940 A disused London Underground and even club nights, the Palais Royal. Mr. Coward gave made everybody feel at ease with (Our thanks to the Noël Coward station has become the latest venue although Mr. Wilkinson the song some little extra “push” his amusing mannerisms and subtle Appreciation Society of South Aus- for enterprising theatre directors. has restricted the and his listeners appreciated the treatment of vocal witticisms. tralia and to Barry Day for this article) Aldwych station, which has been number. “The problem point with amusement. On his return to the official box, closed to passengers since 1994, is that I have to be in will be the setting next month for attendance,” he said. PRESENT the compliment of adapting, turning something more personal than the Still Life the Noël Coward play that “And I’m not too keen Occupe Toi D’Amelie into Look farcical mechanics of sexual embar- inspired the film Brief Encounter. on late nights.” LAUGHTER After Lulu. The coded telephone rassment? John Lahr, in his admira- Theatregoers will be allowed into Aldwych Station has WITH RIK MAYALL messages, spoken within earshot of ble study of Coward the Play- the ticket hall of the turn-of-the- also been used as a reviewed by Michael Imison their unsuspecting subject, the wright, sees Garry as a man century station, whose main use location for films, subterfuge Daphne adopts to revisit trapped into adopting an endless during recent months has been for including Sliding In the second Act of Present Garry and deliver another coded superficial charm, used to avoid the training of police officers and Doors and Patriot Laughter Henry is puzzled when message, and the piled up coinci- commitment and social responsibil- firefighters in tackling a chemical or Games and was used his wife Joanna says she feels as if dences of the last Act, where no ity, and he suggests that this was biological attack on the Tube. as a model for the set she is in a French farce. He does less than four of the people Garry Coward’s position too. My own The station, whose entrance still built at Pinewood not know, of course, that she is not least wants to see all separately feeling is that, if this were true, bears its original name of Strand Studios for “ where she claims to be, but speak- book to sail with him to Africa, are Coward would not have written Station, was built on the site of the Cross” station, the site ing on an extension telephone from devices of a sort not to be found in about it in this way. Despite his Royal Strand Theatre and has had would be priced according to of Q’s secret laboratory in the most the next room, having spent an any other Coward play. They are all bohemian reputation Coward was a theatrical productions staged there London Underground ticket prices. recent Bond film Die Another adulterous night with his best friend, used with great skill but was his stern moralist. before. The Actors Touring Com- The ticket hall, which contains the Day. Several advertisements, Garry Essendine. Coward is clearly objective simply to write a farce? In my view he used Present pany put on a version of Bernard- original Victorian ceramic tiling will including a Japanese commercial dropping us a hint. In Present It would be strange if it were so. Laughter to stand the farce con- Marie Koltes’s In the Solitude of seat up to 70 people. Barry for Nike trainers, have been shot Laughter, more than any other of Present Laughter is also the vention on its head. In Feydeau the the Cotton Fields in 2001 and there Wilkinson, who looks after the there and the station was included his plays, he deploys all the ele- closest Coward comes to compos- main characters all chafe at the was a single operatic performance, station for London Underground, as a level in the computer game ments of farce. The ingénue, ing a self-portrait. Like Coward, bonds of matrimony and are tor- but Still Life is the first of a series said that he liked to encourage Tomb Raider 3. Other uses include Daphne, in the first scene, is forced Garry is an actor at the top of his tured by the desire for extramarital of more popular productions that creative use of the station. Alight experimenting with new technology, to trot out her unconvincing expla- profession who also sings and plays sex , which spells social ruin if it will include Chekhov plays. Here, an exhibition of the works of such as a new generation of plat- nation of why she too has spent the the piano. Like Coward, he is becomes known. Almost invariably Rebecca McCutcheon, who will 20 emerging artists went on display form advertisements that will be night under Garry’s roof, to a guarded by a formidable secretary these desires remain unconsum- direct Coward’s story of frustrated last week. “If the station can be projected on to the station walls. succession of increasingly incredu- and surrounded by a close group of mated and a chain of hilarious love next month, said that the used to help young people with their Still Life, will run from April 22 to lous people only to be confronted associates who are also personal circumstances preserves the virtue station provided the perfect venue art, then London Underground is May 9. To book call 020 8299 2542 with Garry’s wife, whom she did friends. Garry lives in a studio that and reputations of the characters. for the play. “The play has three pleased to open it,” he said. “It is Info: www.starfury.demon.co.uk/ not know existed. This is pure is the spitting image of Coward’s In other words sex is talked about a love stories running through it set in taking off as a theatrical space uground/ Feydeau, a writer whom Coward then home, a studio in Gerald Road. great deal and rarely happens. The a railway station, one of which was now, but we have had a variety of admired and whom he finally paid Surely then the play deals with Continued on page 13... Page 10 Page 7 knew everybody, he whereas in the works of Shaw there , was revived George Jean Nathan set his finger have their day. “They used to say I seemed in the is a preservative hint of the clown. many years later for on a weakness in some of these was finished,” Coward may theatre ubiquitous. Coward took this hint for himself, Tallulah Bank head and Donald procedures: “One is constantly exclaim. “Now they tell me I’m Ten years later he as soon as he had passed the year Cook, and was still the most amusing reading and hearing of Mr. Noël marvelous. I always was.” This is was a little less which brought him his first big comedy in New York that season. Coward’s wit.” [In those days he not vanity, but the exasperation of prolific, but as a man success, The Vortex. The year was But he was not only a comedy was Noël not Noël.] “I can the trained old hand when he sees of 40 he was thought 1924, and the climate of the day was, writer. In 1931, a year of crisis in discover, with no effort at all, younger people getting away (as he “serious” enough to to say the least, relaxed. It was Great Britain (like most years several amusing little wheezes, but conceives it) with a lucky shot. Can be given an the period of complicated cocktails since), he wrote and all that I am able to engage in the Ionesco act? Does Gelber sing? important war job in and even more complicated love set the hearts of the middle classes name of the higher jocosity called Could write a waltz? Paris. And then, for affairs, carried on in a fever of vibrating to a new rhythm. This was wit is a suave prestidigitation of Did Wesker direct Chips with no special reason, in emancipation after World War I. a sortie from the Edwardian what is really nothing more than Everything? Coward shrugs his his 50s he began to was working Coward - the Coward who writes commonplace vaudeville humor.” shoulders. He has done, and can do, fade a little from toward The Green Hat and F. Tessie O’Shea’s lyrics in The Girl And he went on to tear apart almost anything in the theatre. public notice: never Scott Fitzgerald (three years older Who Came to Supper. Design for Living in order to At the end of the last war he less than a celebrity, than Coward) toward The Great Sentimental it may be - just as it is prove his point joke by joke and found himself, after nearly 40 never failing to Gatsby. Coward entered the field sentimental to respond to military reach the conclusion that “Mr. years of experience, still a poor delight an audience with a diatribe against narcotics music or cheer a royal wedding - Coward occupies the successful man. Taxation had cut large holes in when he appeared which persuaded his elders that at but it met the mood of the moment. place in our theatre today that the his profits and he had made no special before it, but any rate he knew what he was Kipling-like jingoism has made late Clyde Fitch occupied 20 and 30 provision against it. He decided, somehow acquiring talking about. The Vortex was a neither sense nor headway in 60 years ago... . Where are the therefore, to live abroad, first in the name of having succes de scandale, although the years, but what Coward plays of Fitch now? Where will the Jamaica and later in Switzerland. done very little essential realities about Coward contributed was a gentler version plays of Mr. Coward be when as However good the financial since Blithe Spirit, Noël Coward (Photograph kindly donated by Donald Smith) were already that he worked hard of it, arising from a genuine feeling of many years have passed?” The consequences of this, it has by then 15 years and lived without excess. affinity for the Londoners who first answer is that as many years undoubtedly hampered his talent Noël Coward old. What exactly has he He was not, however, really a gave him a name. For a brief have passed, and that the best of by cutting him off from the main contributed to the theatre of this man for moral attitudes. Many spell, Coward was simply a man of Coward survives with astonishing stream of his personal experience. A Temperament in Harness century? It must be remembered years later, Kenneth Tynan the people, with the advantage of freshness. Indeed, Nathan’s Some English writers flourish out that Coward’s early successes acutely remarked, in connection being wittier, quicker and more comment, though perfectly true, is as of their own country. It has not by Alan Pryce-Jones came at the end of a period with the commanding voice of tonic than the rest. irrelevant as to object that affected Maugham adversely to associated with men like Henry Godfrey Tearle, that it was “a He was also an exceptional Shakespeare drew for his plots on have made his home in France for In 1926 the poet J. C. Squire wrote Arthur Jones, Arthur Wing Pinero, moral instrument - a precious lyricwriter, light composer and Holinshed. What is important is what over 40 years: but Coward, whose from London to his fellow poet, Somerset Maugham and Frederick attribute for which English drama pianist. If a Nobel Prize were to be Shakespeare - and Coward - reach is toward popularity, needs Edmund Blunden: “The theatre is Lonsdale, among them covering since the advent of Coward has given for true distinction in these make of their chosen material. to keep in touch with his own given over to a gentleman called several decades. It was a period found less and less use.” arts, it would be accorded, perhaps, For the essential thing vaudeville people; he needs to hear their Coward of whom you will not have of social comedy and social For it was not Coward’s role to be to only two living practitioners: has given Coward is not jokes but changes of speech and inflection heard; he writes more or less smart drama, of high life and conscious a scourge. He might care to jolt Cole Porter and Noël Coward. professionalism. There has not over the years, to follow their new plays in the 1890 manner.” At that glamor. Little by little this kind of his audiences from time to time, Especially those who have heard him often been, in the history of theatre, a interests and anxieties from time Noël Coward, age 27, had been playwriting degenerated into the but it would be for the good of their sing his own songs at the piano would more thorough professional. within. As it is, he is an outside on the stage for 16 years; his first brand of comedy which has made the livers rather than their cheer the award. He is Although he can work extremely fast, observer who has made no appearance was in the year Edward proscenium arch anathema to consciences. He found himself to unforgettable: moving very briskly he attaches more importance to attempt to keep up to date with a VII died. Now, four reigns later, he intellectuals in the theatre: a be a funny man, with a marvelous toward the piano as though the thoroughness than to inspiration. younger generation. When he can look back on some 40 stage comedy all French windows and sense of timing and what passed seat were a broncho which That is why, in private conversation writes a new play it is either, like productions, revues, musicals, sunlight, all agog with parlormaids, for a superb sophistication. Born needed taming, asserting his a month or two back, he was Look after Lulu, an adaption of comedies, several films, several white telephones and elderly into a middle-class atmosphere in stance with a no-nonsense turn of the recommending Neil Simon’s comedy, ’s play, or it is books, some memorable personal ladies in housecoats. a suburb of London, he knew by shoulders - (“It won’t throw me”)- Barefoot in the Park: “All these carefully geared to some favorite cabaret appearances, a whole range Quite apart from this stood the instinct exactly what the middle going straight into a Sousa-like clever young men ought to go and see facet of the past. Sail Away of much-loved music and a great solitary figure of George Bernard classes would think smart. Again, prelude filled with jaunty it, if they want to learn how to build a showed the kind of cruise ship many excellent jokes. Shaw, and Coward, in his London to quote Tynan, “If it is possible to suggestions of straw hat and funny play.” And by clever young which has not existed in years. The high peak of his reputation was phase - which lasted until 1945 - romp fastidiously, that is what buttonhole and at the same time men he means the Weskers, the The music for The Girl Who Came around 1930 when, in three years, must have perceived that an Coward does.” underlining the absurdity of such Pinters and the rest. I have sat by him to Supper, charming though it be, he wrote , important element in Shaw’s The consequence was a series of carryings-on, and then abruptly, at an Ionesco play, listening to the is already a period piece. None the Bitter Sweet, Private Lives, success was a mixture of high comedies which still hold the with face turned full to the steady grumble sotto voce of worse for that, be it added, but a Cavalcade and Words and purpose and self-mockery. The stage. Hay Fever was not merely audience, bursting into gravelly someone who has come to see step back from the keen feeling for Music. He was barely 30 - too social comedians might mock a vehicle for the now half- song: “Don’t put your daughter on himself in the light of an Old Master, contemporariness with which he young for what, in those days, looked others in the name of satire, but they forgotten Marie Tempest; Private the stage, Mrs. Worthington.” forced to look on while passing first made his name. To move from to be an inevitable knighthood; he never laughed at themselves, Lives, designed for himself and fancies like the Theatre of the Absurd rebel to conservative is a common It is true that nearly 30 years ago, Page 8 Page 9