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Serve and Brief Encounter. Part 3: Sail Home Chat is the newsletter FREE TO Away follows Coward's cabaret triumphs of The Noël Coward Society in and Las Vegas after the Second wholly owned by MEMBERS OF World War and his life in Switzerland and Noël Coward Ltd. which is THE SOCIETY Jamaica, right up to his death. His long- part of the charitable trust: CHAT term partner, the late Graham Payn shows The Noël Coward Foundation. AUGUST 2008 - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE NOËL COWARD SOCIETY Price £2 ($4) ELAINE STRITCH us around Chalet Coward, and archive film President: HRH The Duke of Kent, KG, GCMG, GCVO, ADC Officers of the Society are: reveals his time in Jamaica, as well as his Vice Presidents: Tammy Grimes • Penelope Keith CBE • Barry Day OBE • Stephen Fry AT LIBERTY Chairman: Barbara Longford late successes: a cameo performance in The BROADWAY Secretary: Denys Robinson Kitchen, and the musical Sail Away as Treasurer: Stephen Greenman TONY AWARD-WINNING recalled by its star Elaine Stritch. North American Director: SHOW Nominated for the:1999 Huw Wheldon Ken Starrett A View with a Room Award for the Best Arts Programme or Representative for Australia: Robert Wickham In 2002 Elaine Stritch played a sensational Series BAFTA Award 1999 Representative for France: season at the Old Vic in London. In 2008 for Hélène Catsiapis ‘Marvellous Party’ - a Noël Coward House Party 9 performances only the legend that is NCS Member Richard Holbrook in: Burgh Island Hotel, Bigbury-on-Sea, South Devon. Elaine Stritch returns to London to play Unless otherwise stated all Feinstein's at the Shaw Theatre. images and text are copyright Friday 12th - Sunday 14th September, 2008 The show received the 2002 Tony Award RICHARD to NC Aventales AG Star Guest of Honour: Mr Steve Ross, from New York t may not be too late for you to join us for this unique event when the Society is for Best Special Theatrical Event as well as SINGS BURTON All correspondence to: two Drama Desk awards - Outstanding Solo The Editor, taking over the entire art deco hotel exclusively for members to learn more Performance for Stritch and Outstanding The Songs of 29 Waldemar Avenue, about, enjoy and celebrate the works of Noël Coward. Hellesdon, Norwich, Book of a Musical for Stritch and writer Highlights of the weekend will include on Friday a film ’I Like America’ of Burton Lane NR6 6TB, UK previously unseen Coward footage, prepared specially for the event by the John Lahr. at johnknowles@noëlcoward.net I Editor of this magazine and our Webmaster - John Knowles. A dance With her long-time Musical Director and ‘Don't Tell Mama’ Tel: +44 (0) 1603 486 188 Collaborator, Rob Bowman, Elaine Stritch demonstration with contemporary Coward music, led by Judy Shakespear, 343 West 46th Street will include a debut 1930’s foxtrot by American members from Florida, Jim presents an evening of music and comedy New York Editors: tracing her career including landmark roles John Knowles and Ken Starrett Griffith and Bobi Sanderson. There will be dancing after dinner on Friday evening to “The Burton Lane songbook provides the House Band - ’The Art Deco Trio’. in Company, The Little Foxes, Bus Stop, A Holbrook a treasure trove of treasured Design and Production: John Knowles On Saturday there will be an opportunity to watch a film of Moira Lister’s Delicate Balance, Sail Away and Who's songs, and ‘Richard Sings Burton’ uses Afraid of Virginia Woolf? A hilarious Publication and Distribution: unforgettable performance in her solo show ‘Memories of Noël Coward’. Moira, them well... an appealing, good-looking Stephen Greenman (UK) anecdotal evening - unmissable! our former Vice President, was to have been our Star Guest during the weekend performer, comfortable with his audience, Ken Starrett (US) Start Time: 8pm but she died in South Africa in October of last year. She will be with us in our who carries some of his theater experience Music Correspondent: hearts and her close friend, Robert Gardiner, will introduce the film. During the Thursday 31st July - Sunday 10th August into his interpretation of lyrics.” Dominic Vlasto (no performance on 4 and 5 August) afternoon members will be performing a play-reading of Coward‘s Long Peter Leavy, Cabaret Island Sound, based on his 1939 short story What Mad Pursuit which was For more information on this show see Scenes Contributions are invited from the NCS website at: members of the Society. written after a real and painful experience spending what should have been a Friday, October 10, 2008 at 9:30 P.M. quiet weekend in The Hamptons, but turned out to be a fiasco. Clive Montellier http://www.noelcoward.net/archive/hcact2/e Sunday, October 12, 2008 at 8:00 P.M. The editor reserves the right lainestritch.html to edit all copy, images and is directing. After cocktails in the Palm Court on Saturday evening there will be our very *Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at 9:30 decide on inclusion of items. own House Revue - “And What Comes After…” arranged by Celia Cologne and Dominic Vlasto, P.M. Details included in with a selection of songs and readings by members and the company. After dinner, the highlight of the Coward The Poet * A special encore performance the night ‘What’s On?’ are as received, weekend will be ‘Steve Ross, in Cabaret’. A BBC Radio 4 programme on Coward the before the opening of the with our thanks, from: For more information about the hotel, please look at www.burghisland.com Poet will broadcast on August 31 at 3:00 2008 Mabel Mercer Foundation’s 19th Samuel French UK and The cost of the weekend is £472 per person, which includes two nights in a individual suite or room - suites include the Noël Canada (Play Publishers and pm. Annual Cabaret Convention in Coward, the Gertie Lawrence, Amy Johnson, Agatha Christie, Jessie Matthews, Mountbatten, Fruity Metcalfe and a host more. Also Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Author’s Representatives), Ken Starrett (US), included are welcome tea and coffee on arrival, full English breakfasts on both mornings, cocktail canapés in the Palm Court The Noël Coward Trilogy has been Alan Brodie Representation Peacock Bar on both evenings, a three course dinner on both evenings, private secure parking on the mainland and all entertainment. released in the US (Professional Productions), Evening dress is essential for dinner and it is hoped that most members will dress in 1920’s or 1930’s style during the day. A CELEBRATION OF AN Stephen Marshall NCS members and At the time of going to press, all 48 members who are attending are fully paid up and there are no vacancies. However, it is theatre companies. possible that nearer the time someone will be obliged to cancel, for last minute health or family reasons, so we would like to have a EXTRAORDINARY LIFE Collection

a selection of forthcoming productions with details - see www.noëlcoward.net and www.noëlcoward.com for more... and www.noëlcoward.com a selection of forthcoming productions with details - see www.noëlcoward.net waiting list to cover such an eventuality. The three hour-long specials in the BBC Apologies for the delay in drawing lots for For details of rights for Please get in touch if you would like to be on the waiting list, by contacting:- Arena series produced in the Coward the last few items in the late Stephen professional productions: Mrs Barbara Longford, 7 Argyll Mansions, London W14 8QG. • Tel: 020 7603 7399 • e-mail [email protected] Centenary year have been made available on Marshall’s Collection of Coward items. I Alan Brodie Representation DVD in the US. This detailed evocation hope to proceed with this in the next few www.alanbrodie.com traces Noël Coward's life, career and legacy. For amateur productions weeks when the minor redesign of the Samuel French Ltd. Part 1: The Boy Actor follows his meteoric office here is completed. NOTES FROM NEW YORK www.samuelfrench.com or rise to international fame at thirty: including After the lottery has been drawn a letter www.samuelfrench- how early influences as a young man shaped will be sent to everyone asking whether or london.co.uk Last November at the annual Cabaret Convention in , Mr. Sidney Myer was presented his works such as Private Lives and The not they are happy to accept the selected For publishing rights: with the prestigious Paula Laurence Award. In addition to being an extremely talented performer, he is also Vortex. Part 2: Captain Coward focuses on item and pay for ‘post and package’. On Methuen the proprietor of a popular cabaret known as “Don't Tell Mama” which this year celebrates its 25th his journeys to the Far East with the Earl of acceptance the item will be sent. www.methuen.co.uk anniversary. The magazine ‘Cabaret Scenes’, in its recent July issue, featured the history of the club and Amherst, as well as entertaining the troops John Knowles For music rights: many people in the industry took ads offering their congratulations to Mr. Myer. A long-time NCS member, during the war years and films In Which We Warner Chappell he is a big Noël Coward afficionado.

WHAT’S ON? www.warnerchappell.co.uk 12 Over the years, many performers about Noël’s life. Ruth was at the club have presented Coward's in great form, and was music. A lengthy list of NCS wonderfully funny. She Letters... members who have performed at told us that Noël Coward From NCS Member Robert Brooke... “Don't Tell Mama” would include was responsible for her Richard Barclay, Sandra Bendfeldt, first meeting with Sheridan Dear Editor, Eric Comstock, Eileen Fulton, Gerta which was in Oxford. I have only recently joined the Society and would just like to say Grunen, Richard Holbrook, Woody Coward had invited how much I enjoyed reading Home Chat. The article on Moira Lister Regan and KT Sullivan. The club Sheridan to go with him to brought back memories of the time along with several others I had has recently been renovated and a see Judy Garland at the the pleasure of meeting her. The occasion was the opening of a bar at second performance room has been Palladium, but that he had the Dominion theatre/cinema in memory of Judy Garland. This was created. to bring a date suitably announced on the radio and many people turned up to be present. Making recent appearances in dressed for the occasion. It was due to be opened by Danny La Rue and Dora Bryan, both I the new room were NCS members Sydney Myer Sheridan had no girl to thought could have looked a bit smarter. They retired to the bar until Carol Shedlin in her tribute to invite, and when he met the official time. The rest of us waited in the foyer. Moira Lister had and Geoff Stoner with his new act called Words Wit Ruth in a crowded room, heard it on the radio and also turned up and stood talking to us about Music. Geoff also does a presentation that tells the Coward story his first words were, “Do the show Judy did at the Dominion which she was also in. At the entitled A Short Visit Only. New NCS member Earl Levit you have a dress?” appointed time the members of the Judy Garland Club appeared and presented a program of the gems of Coward and Porter. At first she thought he was asking the chap beside her. Her Danny La Rue mentioned Moira to which someone in the crowd said, Sidney Myer, one of the most beloved figures in the cabaret answer was ‘yes’ and so she went with him on their first date, “But she is here.” The photograph on the right shows them looking industry, is enormously supportive and very helpful to young with Coward to hear Judy and Liza at the Palladium...a for her and asking where? (ED. The observant amongst you may performers just starting out. memorable night in more ways than one. notice NCS member Ken Sephton squinting to try and spot her!) A On behalf of members of The Noël Coward Society, we Over the years Elizabeth Sharland has written many books gap opened and Moira Lister appeared looking every inch a STAR. would like to offer congratulations to Mr. Sidney Myer and about the theatre that include information about Noël Coward. She was of course invited to join the official party. “Don't Tell Mama” for 25 years of wonderful success. Members from New York and the Tri-State area who might The gentleman clutching the newspaper in the second photograph like to meet Ms. Sharland can do so when she appears at ••••••••• •••••••• is of course the producer Barry Mishon. ••• Barnes and Noble - Lincoln Square (Broadway and 66th Long-time NCS Member Jim Schneider has directed a Street) - on September 4th at 7:30 pm to launch her newest production of Hay Fever at the Circle Theatre in Forest Park, book Passionate Pilgrimages - From Chopin to Coward. Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The production opened on June To celebrate this fact, Ms. Sharland will be joined by 25th to a set of wonderful notices from the Chicago newspapers. popular entertainer, Mr. Steve Ross, who will perform the FROM HIGH WIRE TO JAZZ TO To read these notices go to www.theatreinchicago.com. music of Noël Coward. The event is free of charge. No We offer our congratulations to Mr. Schneider for his reservations are needed, but come early for best seating. EMBALMED WHALE... successful production. LEFT: NCS member Carol Barzilay shows the rich and ••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••• diverse life of her father, Harry Lester with this obituary by For four Monday evenings in June, patrons at the John Hall. BELOW: Yvonne Printemps stars in Conversation NCS member Elizabeth Sharland recently held a successful Algonquin Hotel’s Oak Room were entertained by the quips, Piece with Noël Coward... more on this in our next edition! event at The University Club in New York. NCS member, anecdotes and songs of Noël Coward as presented by NCS Herbert Gould, participated in the evening, reading some member Morrow Wilson in his production Noël Coward 101. Coward verse. Arlene Sterne read from Blue Harbour Revisited - This performance has been given at several other venues a recent book by Elizabeth - Arlene is an actress and mother of and was directed by acclaimed actress, Ms. Rue McLanahan, singer Anna Bergman who was booked to sing at the University and musical direction and accompaniment was by NCS Club not long after this event. Ken Starrett gave a brief history of member, David Lewis. the Society and read passages from The Noël Coward Diaries. Guest Ruth Leon spoke also spoke about her late husband, ••••••••••••••••••••• Sheridan Morley, the first authorised biographer of Noël Coward Susan Charlotte's organization, ‘Food for Thought’, which and for most of us the first detailed information we received presents play readings given by established Broadway actors, will soon begin a new season which includes performances of Ruth Leon, Ken Starrett and Noël Coward's Fumed Oak. Elizabeth Sharland at The University Club The performances are presented at The Players’ Club on Gramercy Park. For information, call 646/366-9340. ••••••••••••••••••••• The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey in 2003 presented an outstanding production of Hay Fever. This season this acclaimed company in Madison, New Jersey is presenting Private Lives. NCS members in New Jersey and the Tri-State area who might wish to attend a performance at this lovely theatre on the grounds of Drew University should call 973/408-5600 for tickets and information. The production runs from August 6th to August 31st. Ken Starrett

2 11 Midnight Matinees helped the show business world COWARD, NOVELLO and the raise funds for the Actors’ Orphanage ‘opera-induced musical play...’ his cutting of a report on the ‘Night of a 100 Stars’ that took place at the London Palladium on 24 June 1954 was sent in by Carol Barzilay and shows one of the innovations that Noël Coward introduced to help his fellow show business performers A View on the Musical works of two musical giants of 20th Century support the work of the Actors’ Orphanage. The editor, John Knowles has copies of the programmes for each of the shows o doubt Noël Coward wagged his finger at ’s musicals formed a more orderly and non-stop that took place over a three year period - 1953/54/55. In our next edition there will be more detail of these wonderful Novello over the subject of the musical play. Both queue at the box-office. Novello’s career in musical theatre was T midnight shows that men bestrode the revue and musical play almost a sustained attack, and Coward’s intermittent; Novello’s formed did so much for children at the simultaneously, until Novello’s early death left another section of his theatrical life, one that had included being orphanage and, in the first Coward to claim the crown. Apart from two good a film star and writer of light romantic comedies, almost all Nbooks (James Harding’s excellent Novello biography and Sandy year, helped Jewish children lying forgotten today. Novello wrote book and music, preferring scattered across Europe find a Wilson’s evocative and mainly photographic Ivor) in recent to leave the lyrics to Christopher Hassall, or, in the last year or home with families in Israel. years Novello’s musical works have been given a shoddy look- so of his life, to Alan Melville. To this might have been added The shows were designed to over from those who have written of him. Coward has been ‘Book, music and Novello by Ivor Novello’ since there was one inject much needed funds into much more fulsomely treated, but his work in musicals and supreme ingredient that Novello’s musicals had that Coward’s the orphanage after a gradual revue has mostly been discussed by those who know little of the did not: the composer. Novello was the pivot. The profile decline in returns from the context into which they fit. More than one notable biographer coming down the stairs in Act One, the figure seated at the famous ‘Theatrical Garden has sadly missed the point when writing of them. This is hardly grand piano in Act Two tinkering with one of his own melodies, Parties’ that had run for some surprising. In Britain, the musical is regarded either with the husky, smoke-induced voice whispering with alarming years previously. contempt or with an excitement that needs cooling down with clarity to the back of the gallery his love for whichever soprano By this date the orphanage some critical perception. I would go further: there is such a he was playing opposite. Coward was notably absent from his committee had realised the mountain to climb if we are to consider Coward’s musicals (and own musicals, while Novello was there, emerging from the train need to provide a hostel for indeed those of darling Ivor) properly, an Everest of a challenge, smash of Crest of the Wave, evading the earthquake of Careless children of training age so they for the preparatory slopes scarred by so many ill-equipped Rapture, managing not to be drowned during the shipwreck of purchased 27, Rutland Gate, writers and commentators have made the way forward slippery . Kensington to solve the and difficult. These bare facts may alone help to distinguish some of the problem of where those who So, let us begin with a few facts about these two giants ground we need to consider if we are to take Coward (or had left the orphanage to of the British musical, some of which are more factual (in the Novello) seriously as composers of the musical play. But we attend training could stay. sense that they cannot be argued against) than others. Fact: must go deeper, for at the very least there is the matter of style. The key players in the Coward and Novello both wrote revues. Correction: Coward The earlier use of the word ‘simultaneously’ gives us a hint, for organisation of the 1954 show wrote revues, and contributed to others, while Novello both men came from not dissimilar social backgrounds. Both were Val Parnell, Charles contributed to revues but did not specialise in compiling an enjoyed genteel poverty, and were to an unavoidable extent Henry who staged the Gala entire entertainment for that beguiling medium. Of these revue open to similar influences and suggestion. Their natural milieu (Part 1 of the show), George songs, Coward wrote lyrics as well as music, while Novello did not prevent, but perhaps exaggerated, their fondness for Margrave the manager of the never professed to be a lyricist. A great number of Coward’s what we might call a romantic theatrical opulence. This was London Palladium, Eric revue songs have endured, while only one or two of Novello’s exploited by both men in revue, a genre in which Coward Rogers who led the Orchestra (one of them ‘And Mother Came Too’) have lasted into old age. clearly scored heavily over Novello, but in musical theatre that and Charles Russell who In musical plays, however, the balance is altered. Coward did opulence transmuted into something that we might call operetta, devised and organised the not contribute songs that might seamlessly (or with the seams or operette, or (at a push) opera. For my own money, operetta Revue (Part 2 of the show). showing) be interpolated into scores by other hands. Novello and operette have always seemed slightly indecent words that The stars included the cream of made almost an industry of this before he began a string of are dredged up for those who cannot stomach either musical contemporary show business. musicals in 1935 with Glamorous Night, beginning a run of plays or opera; operettas and operettes are fence-sitters, words The show was divided into musical plays that ended with his death in 1951. Coward’s to be used with caution and in no way indicating an irresistible two halves and included songs musicals are spread over a much longer period: from Bitter entertainment, and nobody is going to take either of them and extracts from current West Sweet in 1929 to The Girl Who Came to Supper in 1962. seriously. No: we must regard Coward and Novello’s excursions End Shows as shown in the Coward was in complete charge of his works: book, music and into musical theatre as musical plays or operas. That clearly press cutting on the right... but lyrics, except for the final show to which he did not contribute leaves us, sometimes, with descriptions dangerously close to more of this in our next edition the book. His musicals were, as it were, slipped in between the absurdity, but we are not so far off the mark as the casual of Home Chat. on-going queue of plays; they would pop up every five years or onlooker might think. Both men, in fact, embraced opera while so. concocting their musical plays, but one of them with very much

Marlene Dietrich visiting the orphanage in 1954 10 3 more commercial success than the other. be sung by Lizbeth Webb as an antidote to the sometimes appeared just before the train drew out, with a crate of oranges Despite Coward’s success with Bitter Sweet he was never wearying Courtneidge) for every one of his shows. And they all for us, and cheerful grins which helped a lot. Soon we arrived at DUNCAN KNOWLES AND SAMUEL quite able to recreate its vibrancy and effectiveness, and all the succeeded; all had long runs and made money at the box-office. Montreal, and piled into another hostel, to be fed by Canadian JOSEPH PRESENT musical plays that followed had disappointing runs. Throughout While Coward was unable to fill the smaller Globe and women, every bit as charming as the Scots, and to climb into our his long career of writing for the genre, Coward clung to his Cambridge Theatres, Novello was packing them in at the much cots and sleep for the first time on foreign soil. The unbelievable STEVE ROSS belief in the opera-induced musical. That is rather a neat phrase larger houses of Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and the London had happened, and we were actually only a train journey away which I have this moment created, but it is unlikely to catch on. Hippodrome. The runs speak for themselves: The Dancing from our new home in America. Let us call such pieces faded valentines, a sweet evocation of Years (nearly 200 performances before the outbreak of war In our next instalment we find out whether the children made GOOD THING GOING period laced with song. It is there clearly enough in Bitter Sweet stopped it, and then a run of almost 1,000 during the war); it to Hollywood in part two of Granville Bantock’s book (1929), and again Coward tried to pull off the same trick in Perchance to Dream (1,022 performances); King’s Rhapsody entitled “Thank You Uncle Sam” with additions by Carol THE SONGS OF STEPHEN SONDHEIM Conversation Piece (1934). This was noticeably less efficacious, (881, and might have been more if Novello had not died during Barzilay. AND MORE… but Coward ploughed on. The elements present in those shows its run). Even the less long running of Novello’s shows mostly In the meantime Granville has kindly provided some more dominate, indeed multiply, in Operette (1938), which describes outstripped Coward’s tallies: (295), Gay’s the background information. Pizza On The Park itself shamelessly, and was met with almost total disinterest. The Word (504), Crest of the Wave (203). Wag his finger at Novello Dorothy Tilly who provided the large photograph used in this 21st – 26th October lesson was not learned. Coward followed with Pacific 1860 as he might, it was Novello who went home counting the box- edition about the Actors’ Orphanage found it amongst her DIRECTED BY DUNCAN KNOWLES (1946) a fascinating but pointless saga inhabited by a great deal office takings, not Coward. mother’s possessions. Dorothy re-established her friendship with of wordy recitative but only one or two good songs. It seemed There are currently schemes abroad to revise and update the Granville after some 60 years. She was not an orphan but ‘lived Tickets £20/£15 Fulltime Students/Actor’s out of time with a Britain emerging from a long, dreary war into Novello musicals, to make them ready and palatable for in’ with her parents who were employed at Langley Hall Equity an even more depressing period of imposed austerity. modern audiences, for there is no doubt that, long-runners and between 1933 and 1936. Her mother was a music teacher and Reservations 08456 027017 Four years later, Coward seemed to have sat up and listened, adored as they may have been, they have fallen into obscurity. I secretary and her father helped at the Orphanage in the evenings for Ace of Clubs (1950) purported to be about the modern world wish those schemes well, but they will have to take on a very after work. London’s favourite New Yorker, and with its clutch of rather more ‘popular’ songs, although Sylvia considerable problem. Do what you will to update a Novello This photograph also appears in the programme for the 1954 regular special guest of the Society, Steve Cecil, a remnant of Pacific 1860, was on hand to sing two arias musical and it will still be missing one crucial ingredient: Night of a 100 Stars featured in this edition with the subtitle, Ross makes a welcome return to Pizza on the for those who still longed for Coward to write his usual sort of Novello himself. The songs may have been luscious, the ‘Noël Coward and some of the children at the Actors’ Park with his award-winning internationally stuff. In fact, Coward in 1950 seemed at a remove from the real costumes gorgeous and the sets breath-taking, but all centred Orphanage upon his first visit to the Orphanage in 1934’ acclaimed show ‘Good Thing Going – The Songs of Stephen world in a way he hadn’t quite been in the 1930s. And Coward around the shows’ male star, who never sang but only appeared Granville tells us that Judy Staber attended the Orphanage in Sondheim and more…’. This appearance will coincide with the needed no excuse to write in his old style for After the Ball, and emoted. the post-war period and she has written a detailed book about release of a new studio recording of the show. which was a period piece already provided by Oscar Wilde’s The strangest thing about writing this piece is that while Silverlands at that time that we understand is to be published Warmly received by Sondheim himself during its run at the Lady Windermere’s Fan. Again, the chorus from the critics was listening to a great deal of Coward’s opera-induced valentines I some time soon. Algonquin, Steve presents his uniquely engaging renditions of not encouraging for what was yet another of those faded have come to a surprising conclusion: I have discovered For those with an Internet connection you can view an both familiar and rare gems from the songbook of one of musical valentines. It was only at the dawn of the 1960s with Sail Away Coward’s musical masterpiece. I can tell you, too, that it is not extract from a TV special on schooldays where Granville talks theatre’s greatest figures, alongside a generous dose of the (1961) that Coward at last seemed willing to provide something Bitter Sweet. Rather to my surprise, after whatever is written about his time at the Orphanage and colour footage taken on the American Songbook in his signature debonair style. that really did seem current, with all shreds of the faded about Coward’s lack of success with the opera-induced musical movie camera Mary Pickford presented to the staff and children This season is produced by Society member and resident valentine forgotten. Reverting to type, his last score, The Girl play, it is one of those very pieces that I think emerges head can be viewed. The film is rather dark but the commentary more pianist at the Dorchester Hotel Samuel Joseph, and Steve’s Who Came to Supper (1963), sounded as if Coward’s fondness and shoulders over the rest. It is, indeed, the only musical into than compensates. The link is: longtime director Duncan Knowles. Duncan may be familiar to for the faded valentine had taken complete control. which Coward seems to me to have put heart and soul. ‘And http://www.noelcoward.net/html/granville_bantock.html Society members as the grandson of Joan Hirst, Lorn Lorraine’s Taking this as a whole, it is strange that Coward didn’t which,’ I hear the reader ask, ‘of what you so pretentiously call assistant and, for many years, secretary of the Coward estate. attempt more in the musical play. Considering the breadth and the opera-induced faded valentines would that be?’ Our thanks to Granville Bantock, Dorothy Tilly Samuel and Duncan look forward to welcoming Society potency of his straight plays, the musicals may appear Can you guess? Adrian Wright and Carol Barzilay. members to Pizza on the Park for this very special season of remarkably tame. One fact emerges: all those musicals that performances by Steve. followed the first (except Sail Away) suggested that he had Adrian Wright’s latest book, The Innumerable Dance: the life unsuccessfully exploited the opera-induced valentine throughout and work of William Alwyn is published in September by the his long career. It is this that strikes almost all the notes. And, Boydell Press. He may be heard discussing aspects of the before we move on, surely Pacific 1860, Ace of Clubs and The British musical at www.musicaltalk.com A TALENT TO AMUSE Girl Who Came to Supper are almost completely lacking in any real feeling? This is not necessarily a bad thing, and may even be refreshing to present-day audiences soaked in the hysterically ver the last two years we have made repeated Sinden. Among those who have given permission so far are emotional atmosphere of the modern musical play. Most efforts to produce a CD of extracts from A David Kernan “... of course you can use the track .... as long as musicals exist in a constant state of Talent To Amuse - a midnight matinee you promise me I can have a copy of that wonderful night!”. fever-pitch emotion, made ridiculous by the paltry feelings they celebration to mark Noël Coward’s 70th Mark Wynter's agent Richard Argyle says, “Mark had a dabble in. Actually, Novello tries that trick, too, but he at least Birthday - performed at the Phoenix Theatre on telegram from Graham Payn after the evening saying that he has the advantage of Hassall’s poetry (Hassall has a claim to be 16thO December 1969. An oft-repeated desire for copies to sang ‘Matelot’ better than he ever did!” Britain’s Oscar Hammerstein II) and is not lumbered by the become available to members from Robert Gardiner prompted a Can you help us to get contact names for the estates of the generally witless lyricists employed by Lord W. I mean, have more determined look at obtaining permission from all those last few following artists who appeared and bring the dream of you listened to The Woman in White? whose performances deserve inclusion. A partnership was releasing a CD of this significant event to life? Compared to Coward, Novello had a very short career in established between ‘Must Close Saturday Records’ and NCS We need contact names, agents or relatives for the musical plays. Whereas Coward’s shows were stretched over 34 and the letter-writing, emailing and telephoning began. In the following: Irene Worth, Joyce Grenfell, Stella Moray, Cyril years, Novello’s spanned only 16. Novello’s time in the genre is end it has proved to be one of the most enjoyable experiences Ritchard, Anne Rogers, Cleo Laine, Danny La Rue, Johnny absolutely concentrated: he wasn’t writing his light comedies we can recall. The detective work needed to track down those Dankworth and the other musicians: Bruce George, Tom when he was doing the musicals, he wasn’t starring in films – he who took part or their estates, has involved everyone on the Pinguey, Paul Hiley, Chick Lovell and Harvey Hope. We was writing and starring in his own musicals. He was full-time, NCS committee, in particular Claire Osborne of Warner have already tried to contact some of the above with names and and clung to his belief in the opera-induced valentine, a style he Chappell, Lisa Foster of Alan Brodie Representation, Barry Day, addresses we have been given but as yet to no avail. Please used (except for Gay’s the Word, written for Cicely Courtneidge, Ken Starrett, Ned Chaillet, Marcy Kahan, Stewart Nicholls, email: [email protected] or ring 01603 486 188 if in which only shreds of the old style were allowed to creep in, to Barbara Longford plus NCS members Robin Miller and Marc you can help. John Knowles 4 9 sirens would blast and the bombers came over. Chertsey railway station received a direct hit and the Vickers factory at nearby Empress of Australia Brief Encounter - Take Two Weybridge was devastated by high explosive, killing 70 and injuring 300. By 10 September we were packed and ready, NCS member Rexton Bunnett looks at the West End hit Brief Encounter and... issued with passports, name labels and gas masks. We were ot the Film, Live on Stage’ the advertisements now been righted for, remarkably, this version manages to assembled and told we would be leaving for Liverpool the next scream. Yet, this stage production is being shown in retain, and at times intensify, the romance, the guilt, the sexual day. There was much excitement, only to be dashed early in the a cinema, albeit one originally built as a theatre, and undertones and tragic but necessary ending. It does so by morning when we were told of a postponement. I cycled home we are greeted with ushers and programme sellers in imaginative use of film, music and, above all, a quite once more to see my mother and Mrs. Kennedy who was movie style page boy costumes that went out with remarkable multi-talented cast from Cornwall’s Kneehigh terrified by the sirens and all the bombing. We were then told Nthe Second World War. While being shown to our Theatre. again that we would be leaving, this time for Greenock. It was seats we are serenaded with songs of the period by a roaming Laura and Alec, the couple thrown together for this brief now 14 September. The next day dawned bright and clear, it was band and singers, likewise in cinema attire. This is the encounter, are firmly in our memories as Celia Johnson and my mother’s birthday. Two coaches had arrived at Silverlands wonderful introduction to a show that, while following the Trevor Howard, although they were originally played on stage and we piled in just as the air raid siren sounded. We set off film’s script and direction closely, delivers a unique by and Noël Coward. We now have Naomi down the drive in the care of two mistresses, waving goodbye to NCS member Carol Barzilay, then Carol Lester, daughter entertainment that mixes drama, intimate revue, farce, puppetry, Frederick and Tristan Sturrock with equally memorable the staff and the children staying behind whilst Spitfires roared of Harry Lester, a musician and bandleader, was also on that film and pure variety. performances and not a hint of send-up. overhead. It was 15 September 1940 and 54 children of the Transatlantic trip. Here she takes up the story in an extract This stage adaptation of Brief Encounter by adventurous The other characters are far broader, especially Beryl Actors’ Orphanage were on their way to Hollywood, California. from an article she wrote in ‘The Lever’ the Skowhegan High Emma Rice is pure Noël Coward. It utilises Coward’s 1945 film (Amanda Lawrence) and Myrtle (Tamzin Griffin), the As the coaches made the journey to Euston Station we could School Graduation Year Book in 1944... script, the play Still Life (one of the ten shown in the original To- refreshment-room assistant and her boss. If this were the fifties hear guns and bombs. It was to be the last day of the Battle of When we finally sailed out of the Clyde we were even a Night at 8.30) on which it is based and songs from Coward’s Miss Lawrence would be heralded as a new star of revue for she Britain and the Germans had sent over a huge force of bombers. little sorry to be on our way. The ship took a zig-zag course , so glorious song repertory which throw comment upon the play’s has a way with comedy (watch out for her visual asides and her The boy sitting next to me remarked, “We’ll never get to that her deck was at a thirty degree angle to the horizon, first on happenings as well as simply entertain. These include some of inquisitive dog) and song. Euston let alone Hollywood.” We did reach Euston however one side and then the other. The blankets and pillows appeared Coward’s unused lyrics set to music by Stu Barker. Perhaps there is a purist somewhere who will shout ‘rape’ boarding a train that pulled out of the station and then stopped. on deck again, and we somehow lost our appetites for boiled The last time Brief Encounter emerged with a musical bent but in my mind: lay back and enjoy it. Nights at the theatre as We peered through the windows and watched the aerial eggs and beef tea. But I’ll never forget the sensation of was with Mr & Mrs, a deserved failure in 1968. That wrong has good as this are very few and far between. combat going on, the train rocking as the bombs fell. standing in the spray-drenched bow and watching the churning ...opens a tapestry puzzle! Sandwiches and apples were passed round. Eventually the train water as we ploughed through it. It was bubbling, frothy eerie started to move and as it drew northward the noise of guns and Rexton was on a tour at Bamburgh Castle... “in one room I was looking at a tapestry. One of the guides came over as I was green which disappeared again under the slate-gray waves, like obviously interested and said that it was Noël Coward’s originally! I was told (and I checked this with another guide) that he had bombs abated. It was very late when we reached Greenock and pretty lacy underwear showing under a wind-blown skirt - so were told that one hundred and eighty five German planes had rented an apartment there (I think in the 50s or 60s) for some time and when he gave it up, he gave the tapestry to a Nora Ball, his unexpectedly exquisite I could watch for hours, fascinated until next door neighbour.” Rexton S Bunnett been shot down over London. The bombers did not return the I was saturated and had to go below to change. next day. The Few had won... 54 very tired children and two The group from our school was commissioned to give the THE LETTERS OF NOËL COWARD mistresses boarded the liner, The ‘Empress of Australia’, and ‘ship’s concert.’ Our producer was accompanying us as an NCS Member Bob Ullman Honored collapsed into bed. escort, and he assembled and sorted out past material till we The highly successful book The next morning was all quiet on board the great ship still had a snappy little revue. Our two chief comedians had a habit ‘The Letters of Noël Coward’ roadway's Biltmore Theatre opened its doors in 1925 and has since lying at berth. Other children travelling with us made about of being in the kitchens instead of at rehearsals, and the new edited by Barry Day will played host to many plays and musicals, such as The Marquise by sixty all together, but most of the passengers were sick and element of a rocking floor contorted the acrobat’s contortions appear in the UK in paperback Noël Coward (starring Billie Burke) My Sister Eileen, The Heiress wounded Canadian soldiers returning home. The Empress was a to surprise even herself, but the show went on and was so well on 19 September. The full and the ground-breaking musical Hair. After not being used for huge liner, German-built in 1911 and taken by the British in received we repeated it the following night. We found other price is £15 - but it is for sale several years,the theatre suffered serious damages due to weather, reparations after World War One. Had the Kaiser won that war at Amazon.co.uk at £9.90 plus Bvandalism, and neglect. Following a devastating fire, it was closed in 1987. diversions besides the deck quoits and games. There were pipes he would have travelled the world in her. The secretary of the running from cabin to cabin on the ceiling with an open funnel postage (unless your total The theatre remained untouched for 14 years until being taken over by the Actors’ Orphanage, Peter Jackson, joined us just before the crew in each room, these being part of the air-conditioning system. order is over £15 when prominent producing organization, Manhattan Theatre Club. After an cast-off and the ship moved slowly down the Clyde. We had We used to talk to each other by getting up on the top bunk postage is free). For those intensive two year renovation, this magnificent theatre was finally re-opened been underway for about an hour when suddenly the liner and calling down the funnel, which was a great deal of fun, who have yet to purchase this throughly readable in 2003. The theatre is soon to be re-named as the Samuel J. Friedman stopped, turned around and proceeded back to berth. The especially when other cabins “tuned in” and unexpected and and enjoyable book this is your chance- too late for Theatre in honor of legendary Broadway press agent, Samuel J. Friedman, antimagnetic mine cable was not working. unknown voices answered us. Another trick was to strap a long the mid-Summer sun and beach reading but ideal whose astonishing career started with the Shubert Organization in 1937 and It took several days to install a new cable during which time line of life-belts together and swing them over the rail ‘til the for late Summer reads with a cocktail or two! continued through many notable Broadway hits until 1971. This marks the we heard that the liner, ‘City of Benares’, had been torpedoed bottom one knocked the hat off the soldier looking over the rail first time in Broadway history that a theatre will have been named for a and sunk with much loss of life, including evacuee children. of the deck below. As soon as we scored a hit we ducked and 'A uniquely press agent. Publicists Shirley Herz and Bob Ullman were two of Friedman's Had we left Silverlands on the scheduled date we might have drew in the line, while children further down the deck reported charming and associates. After more than 50 years, Ms. Herz still continues working as a been on board this liner. Our parents at the time, very worried the results! We visited the laundry, the printer’s shop, the enticing journey press agent. indeed at having no means of knowing that we were not on souvenir shop and the “top boat” deck though you had to have through a Bob Ullman, a long-time NCS member, during the course of his career, board. “pull” to escape the notice of the escorts in doing these, for we remarkable worked with three of Broadway's great press agents, Bill Doll, Harvey As a result of the sinking, the Government immediately were supposed to keep to our own “A” deck. The last evening life.Coward's own Sabinson, and Samuel J. Friedman. He publicized such shows as Plain and stopped the official evacuation of children to America, but as we of the trip, which lasted several days, we were given a party, record is made all Fancy, The Visit (with the Lunts) Cactus Flower, Hello Dolly, High Spirits, were a private scheme and already on board, it was decided we and that night we docked in Halifax. the more delightful and Oh Coward! He handled Ethel Merman's concert engagements and had should sail. The Actors’ Orphanage children were some of the When we left the ship next morning, we were a sober and by the wise and a nine year association with Joseph Papp and the New York Shakespeare last to go. subdued group. How full the last three weeks had been! How helpful Festival when he handled such plays as That Championship Season and A The new cable in place, the ship again moved down the happily, but all too quickly the time had gone! Somehow we interpolations of Chorus Line. He retired following an eight year stint with Playwrights Clyde. German bombs had failed to get us as we left London on forgot that we were there, that our new life was about to begin, Barry Day, the Horizon. Ms. Herz and Mr. Ullman will also be honored by having the 15 September, would German torpedoes now be successful? The and that this was what we’d waited for during two dreary soundest authority lobby of the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre named for them. The Noel Coward great liner steamed a zig-zag course for Canada across the cold , months! The grief that was lost in excitement at the parting in on theMaster that Society would like to extend its' heartiest congratulations to Mr. Bob Ullman grey vast Atlantic ocean. We had no naval escort. It was 26 England was now felt by all of us as we left the dear there is.' for this most prestigious honor. Ken Starrett September 1940. ”Empress”. Stan and Curly two of the most popular stewards, Stephen Fry 8 5 Part the story continues with edited extracts from the memories of Granville Bantock who attended the Actor’s Orphanage at LUCKY ORPHAN 2 Langley Hall and Silverlands and during its evacuation to America in World War II. Carol Barzilay gives a view of the journey. s 1938 progressed rumours were plentiful was a magnificent new outdoor swimming pool. It was set in a go to Wittering with the other children which made about a Granville on the wireless, presenting a programme of national concerning the orphanage moving to Chertsey in beautiful garden alongside other sporting facilities. Maggie and dozen of us. There could have been no better, safer place for a anthems of all the Allies. Surrey and sure enough, after the summer holiday some of the other girls from Silverlands would come on the bus, summer holiday. Miles of sandy beaches and at West Wittering As Summer progressed defensive activity escalated and Pill we all reported to Silverlands on Holloway Hill. making about ten in a party. I still liked her very much and we rocks for picking winkles (a small shellfish that was traditional boxes sprung up at all road junctions; signposts were removed, Our initial impressions when driving through the remained good friends. I would often think of Noël Coward and fare for Londoners) which were cooked for our tea and served open fields were filled with obstacles to aircraft and church Amain gates and into the drive were unbelievable - it was a huge the committee working away to keep us children in such an with Hovis bread and butter. It was a truly marvellous holiday bells silenced only to be rung if the Germans landed. It was house with so much space. ideal place - we were so very fortunate. with no formalities and two lovable ladies to look after us. We thought their invasion fleet was being prepared on the French However, there was one really bad blow; our matron was On the 10th June 1939, Noël Coward together with Lorn visit the area to this day.. We were still at Wittering on 3 coast. They will never get past the Navy I thought. A local missing and in her place was a fully-qualified nursing sister. Lorraine visited Silverlands in order to ‘sack’ the headmaster, September 1939 when war was declared. My mother had heard a defence force was established; our head gardener could be seen Apparently, new regulations had been brought in concerning the Reverend Brian Ruegg. During their visit Noël and Lorn rumour that the Germans were about to invade the South Coast, with a pitchfork and our headmaster with a pickaxe handle. boarding schools and medical staff. Our matron had worked were accompanied by a photographer from ‘Picture Post’ who so she came down right away in a hired car to collect me. When Winston Churchill was now Prime Minister and we would with children all her life and had huge amounts of love, energy, was given ‘free it was clear the crowd around the wireless whenever he made a speech; it was devotion, loyalty, common-sense, kindness and understanding. range’ to go German armies marvellous rhetoric and we felt reassured. Apparently these were no longer considered suitable anywhere and were pushing It was about this time that we were all addressed by three qualifications for looking after us. All the children and staff photograph into Poland and members of the Actors’ Orphanage Committee when we had were extremely upset. I was to see her again some ten years later anyone and not coming our gathered in the assembly room. Peter Jackson, the secretary, and I was still her “Granville” . anything. He did way, all the started by saying Silverlands was a large country house in about 36 acres with just this taking a children “Noël Coward and the committee consider it advisable that woodland and fields on all sides. It had previously belonged to a considerable returned to all the children under the age of fifteen be evacuated to London stockbroker. There was a cricket and a football pitch, number of Silverlands for Hollywood in California.” tennis and netball courts, a kitchen garden and about ten snapshots. When Autumn term, There was immediate excitement, and he continued, thousand wild rabbits! I visited the and to a new “We have written to all your parents and guardians to seek In addition to the main house there were several other small Hulton Film headmaster. their consent. Noël Coward is on his way to Hollywood to make buildings including a stable and a hay loft. Adjoining the Library recently My brother all of the arrangements.” orphanage property were 30 acres of woodland owned by a I found several had now left the I cannot remember my own feelings, but imagine I was as Chertsey business man, who allowed the children to play in his 35mm films all orphanage and excited as the others. Without permission I cycled home the property whenever they wished. relating to the was at a next evening to see my mother. She had received the letter and Sadly there was no theatre and no more pantomimes! 1939 Silverlands polytechnic for after talking to Uncle Granville she decided I should go. About Some teaching staff had come from Langley and there were visit - none were further studies, ten children were too old and the parents of ten others declined some new masters and mistresses. My favourite master, Mr. ever published. but with call up permission leaving 54 of us to travel. It was all put in hand. Mr. Howells, was there and became my form master. Also, a new We enjoyed age at eighteen, Green, the new headmaster, proved to be the best of the lot; it boy of about my age joined us with his younger sister, Brenda. every facility of it was certain was such a pity he had been with us for only two terms. Two of She was a sweet little thing, but I simply could not get a word the house and that most of the the younger masters left to join the forces but we carried on out of her. Some thirteen years later she was to become my wife grounds and the Noël Coward at the Actors’ Orphanage older boys with bigger classes, making the best of things. There was no and has been eloquently vociferous ever since! countryside would be in the Summer holiday as such, we stayed at Silverlands waiting for As soon as we were established in the new surroundings, around in which to The photograph above has been supplied via Granville by Dorothy Tilly who is holding Noël’s hand. armed forces positive news, cycling to Woking most days to swim. Noël Coward came to see us. We were always excited when we roam and play. We Granville is second in from the left in the front row next to the boy holding a car. before the war As Summer came in, so did the German bombers. The Battle knew he was coming. This time, when the large car pulled up, now had total Granville thinks that they are the only two in this picture who remain alive. was over. It was of Britain was starting and there were Spitfires and Hurricanes we were all gathered around. He stepped out and then assisted enjoyment; not a merry overhead most days, the clear skies booming with anti-aircraft three of the most glamorous ladies I was ever to behold; one of Chertsey on the Christmas but fire. The nearest large property to Silverlands was Botley’s them was Mary Pickford. We followed them all into the large , we were hopeful Hospital, an institution for people with mental illnesses. Their assembly room where, as usual, Noël Coward sat down at the the little village that we would steam siren, which was salvaged from the old liner Mauritania, piano and played and sang - it was marvellous. Mary Pickford shop at Lyne, win, that the served as the local air raid warning giving short bursts for a said a few words and then presented a gift of a 16 millimetre swimming at Germans would warning and a long one for all-clear. It was as if the great liner camera with lots of film. One of the masters knew how to Woking and not get past the was just across the field. Chertsey is well west of London so we operate the camera and over the next two years he shot much home for dinner Maginot line did not receive the full onslaught, but some bombers did get film. Alas only one reel has survived, now in the care of an old on Sundays. and the French through and we would watch the vapour trails of our fighters. boy, Roy Williams. As the army. No air raid shelters were built, but mattresses were put down in My brother was now head boy. He was well-liked and Summer of 1939 moved along most of the older children were At New Year 1940 Poland had been overrun but there was the cellar and all the children ushered down if planes could be became very attached to one of the older girls, Carol. My aware of the dark clouds forming over the continent; we had all still no fighting in the West; it was the real phoney war. German heard. Sirens were going all the time but life had to go on. schoolwork improved considerably and I began to like all heard of Adolf Hitler. We were suddenly aware that Spitfires U-boats were sinking merchant ships in the Atlantic. For us it By early August we were told that the evacuation was lessons except maths, which I simply could not understand. Mr. were constantly flying overhead from the nearby RAF base. was classes as usual but with Spitfires constantly overhead. definitely on and that we were going to Hollywood as soon as Lewis, our geography master would also take us camping and Everyone of us recognised a Spitfire from its distinctive shape However as Spring came in so the mighty German army travel arrangements could be made. In the meantime, a farewell teach us how to read ordnance survey maps. This I did enjoy, and the growing wail of its Merlin engine. We were comforted. began to march and nothing, it seemed, was going to stop it. The dinner was organised for parents and guardians to which becoming very competent and it was to help me considerably Every summer holiday the orphanage would rent old railway older children were now worried. We would be glued to the occasion came my mother, brother and many others. It was the some five years later, when in the Army, training in the carriage cottages at East Wittering on the Sussex coast for the wireless set but it was all terrible news - first Dunkirk and then largest gathering ever at Silverlands. Many committee members Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland. homeless children - the ones less fortunate than my brother and the fall of France. We were in despair but at least we had saved came to mingle with parents, to give assurances that the Silverlands, about a mile from the town of Chertsey, was me - where they would be looked after by two mature ladies our army; the miracle of small boats and their crews braving the California sunshine was just what we needed. After the fond surrounded by countryside and our bikes were invaluable. Every from Langley. My brother was in France for the 1939 holiday English Channel, Great Britain was now alone. My brother farewells, the parents left. Now it was just a case of waiting. Saturday in the summer we would bike to Woking where there and my mother, thinking I would be lonely, arranged for me to joined the RAF. There was one tiny pleasure - I heard my Uncle The Battle of Britain was really underway. Every day the 6 7