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In North America 25 to 30 Oct - Manifest Theatre Group, Manifest Theatre, : Manningtree, Essex September 24 to October 23, 2004 Utah Shakespearean Festival 8 to 13 Nov - Nailsea Theatre Club, The Workshop, Nailsea, Cedar City, Utah North Somerset 12 to 20 Nov - Elora Ontario 24 to 26 Sep - Drama Workshop of Waltham Forest, The JUDY CAMPBELL the actress and our Honorary Vice-President died on Forest Community Centre, Walthamstow, Sunday June 6th at the age of 88. The beautiful dark-haired, husky-voiced Fallen Angels April to November 2005 (in repertory) Stratford 29 Sep to 2 Oct - Redditch ATS, The Palce heatre, Redditch, star of Noel Coward’s (Joanna), This Happy Breed, Festival Theatre - Stratford, Ontario - Canada Worcs. (Ethel) and memorably his Elvira in Blithe Spirit also accompanied Noel 11 to 11 Jan 2005 - Southampton University Players, The in twice-nightly concerts for the troops. She attended several NCS events Nuffield Theatre, Southampton, Hampshire from the inception of the Society in 1999 until late 2003 when she became 12 to 15 May 2005 Stage 43 Theatrical Society, Port 10 to 13 Nov - Broughton & District Drama Club, The increasingly unwell and frail. Her candour about her times with Noel were Coquitlam, BC Concert Hall, Broughton, Lancs refreshingly honest and always of interest. She will forever be associated with the Eric Maschwitz song that made her name in the 1940 revue New Hands Across the Sea Private Lives Faces at the Comedy Theatre. when following the loss of a scripted item 24 to 28 Aug Connaught Productions, Frinton Summer was given A Nightingale Sang In Barclay Square, and, singing for the first Fallen Angels Theatre, Essex time in public croaked her way through the song rendering it and her a hit! 23 Sep to 9 Oct Stage Centre Productions, Scarborough, 26 Aug to 18 Sep Byre Theatre, St. Andrews “I just know,” she said in 1997, “ that all the obituaries will talk about Ontario 24 to to 28 Aug - Connaught Productions, Frinton Summer nothing but that blooming nightingale.” As a result of seeing her perform 1 Jan to 5 Feb 2005 Dundas Little Theatre, Dundas Ontario. Theatre, Essex the song, Noel took her to supper at the Savoy Grill where she sang, at his 26 Aug to 18 Sep - Brye Theatre, St Andrews insistence, the same song again for the other diners. “It takes talent to put Europe 23 & 24 Oct St John’s Wood Players, St. John’s Hall, St. over a song when you haven’t got a voice,” he told her. “One day we’ll Blithe Spirit John’s Wood. London act together.” He kept his word! With the exception in 1984 of a musical 10 to 20 Nov - Zurich Comedy Club, The Seefeld Theater, 13 to 18 Jun 2005 - The Pump House Theatre Company, The version of The Importance of Being Earnest she did not sing again until Zurich, Switzerland Pump House Theatre, Watford, Herts 1983 when she gave an inimitable rendition of This Is My Lovely Day in a 9 to 18 Sep - Wokingham Theatre, Wokingham, Berkshire In the United Kingdom revival of Vivian Ellis’s Bless This Bride. She was still performing in her one-woman show in 2003 when, accompanied by the singer-accompanist Nude With Violin Stefan Bednarczyk she performed at the Jermyn Street theatre. Born in 26 & 27 Sep Sherbourne School, Sherbourne, Dorset 27 Jan to 19 Feb 2005 Salisbury Playhouse to the actor-playwright J A Campbell who ran the Theatre Roal, Grantham and the town’s first cinema she made her first appearance on stage at the Theatre Royal as a guest in Lonsdale’s Last of Mrs. Cheyney. 2004 West Yorkshire Playhouse, The Quarry 30 Sep to 9 Oct The Matrix Theatre, Newbury, Berks She played rep. at Grantham, and Brighton, before a time at the 25 Feb to 5 Mar 2005 - Heald Green theatre Co Ltd., Heald People’s Palace, east London, and a season at the Festival Theatre, Green Theatre, Heald Green, Cheshire Fallen Angels staged. One of her two daughters is Jane 22 Jan to 5 Feb 2005 Eye Theatre, Suffolk , in Shakespeare and Shaw. A Whatnot, and in tragedy, O’Neill’s tour with the comedian Vic Oliver in Mourning Becomes Electra. She took Birkin of Je T’Aime fame and her son Blithe Spirit 14 to 16 Oct, 15, 16 Nov Malford Players, The Village Hall, Robert Sherwood’s Idiot’s Delight led to over Celia Johnson’s role in Aykbourn’s is a writer and film- 8 Jun to 21 Aug Ian Dickens ProductionsBlackpool / Darlington Christian Malford, Wiltshire a season of leads at Liverpool Playhouse. Relatively Speaking at the Duke of York maker. For us she was one of Noel’s / Swansea 26 to 30 Oct - Taunton Thespians, The Brewhouse Theatre, It was during New Faces in the War in 1967. In the 70s she found satisfying greatest leading ladies and an active sup- 18 Aug to 4 Sep (TBC) Triumph Entertainment, Theatre Royal Taunton, Somerset Years when audiences often preferred to roles in the provinces with Hay Fever, porter of the Society and its work. Bath, UK Tour 9 to 16 Oct - Lewes Theatre Club, The Little Theatre, Lewes, remain in their seats during an air raid Wycherley’s Double Dealer. At the 17 to 20 Nov Woodley Players Theatre Group, Hatherlow East that, after a sip of port to calm her fears Oxford Playhouse she showed ‘unexpect- Our thanks to The Daily Telegraph for mate- Church Hall, Romley, Stockport, Cheshire of singing rather than being bombed, her ed emotional power’ as the long-suffering rial for this obituary. 17 Sep Limelight Theatre, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire Still Life unexpected and witty handling of the Mother in Miller’s Death of a Salesman. 25 Nov to 4 Dec - The Sewell Barn Theatre Company, Sewell 9 to 27 Nov - My Pet Dragon Productions, The Burton Taylor song that was to bring her fame, held the At the 1983 festival she has written a full obituary Barn Theatre, Norwich Theatre, Oxford for Judy Campbell in ‘The Oldie’ His audience spellbound. In Noel’s Relative played the ‘grandest of grand duchesses 14 & 15th Oct Betchworth Operatic & Dramatic Society, The recording of Judy Campbell singing 'A Values she was credited for bringing an in Rattigan’s Sleeping Prince. She made Village Hall, Betchworth, Surrey Present Laughter Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square' is uninspiring colonial comedy to last- numerous television appearances the 14 to 16 Oct Lane End Players, The Village Hall, Lane End, 17 to 20 Nov - Beaconsfielf Theatre Group, Beacon theatre available on CD. There is other material of minute life. Her other appearances most recent being in Granada Buckinghamshire Centre, Beaconsfield Buckinghamshire interest in the BBC archives but it has only included Shaw’s Heartbreak House and Television’s version of The Forsyth Saga. been recorded on cylinders and thus remains 15 to 19 Mar - Windsor Theatre Guild, The Guildhall, Windsor, Never Can Tell. Aykebourn’s Mr. She wrote three plays two of which were inaccessible at present. Berkshire Semi-Monde 6 to 11 Sep - Whitehaven Theatre Group, The Rosehill Theatre, 3 to 20 Nov - Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, The Judi Whitehaven, Cumbria Dench theatre, London CALLING ALL UK MEMBERS! ... Following our recent database dispatch to UK members, can we 5 to 8 Oct - Whitchurch Little Theatre Group, The Civic remind you that we need ALL UK members updated details, whether it be confirmation of Standing Order date-changes, renewal Centre, Whitchurch, Shropshire fees or resignations! Many thanks to all those who have responded so far - if you haven’t had time to reply yet, please do dig out Unless stated otherwise all text and images are copyright to the Noël Coward Estate. All correspondence to: The Noël Coward those pens, use the email or phone Celia Cologne with your latest information - as soon as possible. Celia can be reached at: Society, 29, Waldemar Avenue, Hellesdon, Norwich, NR6 6TB UK Tel: +44 (0)1603 486 188 email: [email protected] 3, Somerville Road, Poulner, Ringwood, BH24 1XJ Tel: 01425 478760 email: [email protected] Page 12

grew up in the Thames Valley area, and warmth. some of the notes in the romantic bal- JUDY CAMPBELL BIRKIN where Judy was also living, and where A long spray of lovely flowers, including Your Invitation to... lads. She gets by in the more difficult 31st May, 1916 – 6th June, 2004 their parents and relatives were all the Dolce Vita rose, were sent from the vocal passages but it is as a character acquainted. Society, with the card saying:- The Theatre Museum, Covent Garden, actress that she is obviously far more One evening after a performance at the “To our Honorary Vice President, with comfortable. Darling it’s Noel opens with Jermyn St. Theatre, Judy had looked love and thanks from all the Members of for our Annual General Meeting the famous balcony scene from Private rather tired and Sheridan had said “you the Noël Coward Society, throughout the Saturday 11th December, 2004. Lives - the one in which divorced lovers don’t have to do this Judy, take a rest for world”. Amanda and Elyot unexpectedly meet up a while if the performances are becoming There was a vast array of flowers includ- The Annual Flower-laying Ceremony, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, to be during their honeymoon with new spous- too exhausting”. Oh no, she had said I ing, of course, those from . performed by Lord Attenborough, CBE and Lunch at Rules Restaurant, Maiden es and rekindle their old flame. love it and, living alone, I find it sad to Barbara Longford Lane with our Honoured Guests, Lord and Lady Attenborough The drolleries that drip from each other’s At the Embankment end of Old Church cook for one and whilst doing the show, Darling, it’s Noel and Sheridan Morley and Ruth Leon lips seem to typify Coward’s world- Street, in Chelsea, stands the exquisite a succession of elderly gentlemen are His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth weary approach to romance, and 13TH century ‘Chelsea Old Church’, very keen to take me out to dinner, Review: Ron Banks 10.30 a.m. All Members are invited to join us at our Muggleton and Olsen match each other restored in its entirety since its wartime which is marvellous”. Noel Coward’s visit to Australia in 1940 Annual General Meeting, at the Theatre Museum, perfectly in the bitchiness of their repar- bombing in 1941. It was here on a beau- He told a story, which Judy herself told was quit a morale booster for the war Covent Garden. This is your opportunity to air your tee. tiful hot day, Friday 18th June, that we in her own shows, about the time when effort. Over a seven-week tour of the views about the Society, so please come along with The pair exaggerate the vowel sounds, assembled for the funeral of the late Judy she was touring the country, during the capital cities, the urbane and sophisticat- some good ideas for our future development. roll the words around their tongues Campbell, our Honorary Vice President. war, with Noël. During a love scene, ed playwright and composer gave a series 12 noon. We walk around the corner, to the Theatre and.assume the melodramatic poses of The church was looking its glorious best Noël had slipped his hand into Judy’s of patriotic radio broadcasts and enter- Royal Drury Lane, for our Annual Flower-laying lovers wounded by life’s assaults on their and was packed with family, friends and blouse. Alors! she thought “I have suc- tained the troops with his witty songs Ceremony. This year Lord Attenborough, CBE is sensitivity. In other words, it’s played on many of those with whom Judy had ceeded where others have failed, here is His trip, sanctioned by the Australian performing the ceremony and placing the flowers on the edge of parody, which seems to be worked; actors, musicians and writers. the breakthrough”. After the perform- government but financed out of his own Noel's statue. the way most theatre shows approach the There was no coffin as such, but a most ance, however, Noël had apologised and pocket, raised £12,000 for the Red Cross 12.45 p.m. A short walk to Rules Restaurant for pre- work of Coward these days. It’s as if no remarkable and lovely long basket made said that he had been so cold, he simply and was generally regarded as a bright lunch drinks. one wants to be caught taking Coward of wickerwork, through which flowers had to warm up his hands. note in an otherwise gloomy world at 1.15 p.m. We sit down to Lunch in the Graham seriously as a satirist any more in case were intertwined, was carried in whilst Sheridan mentioned that although Judy Greene Room and the adjoining Betjeman Room at Rules was established by Thomas their considered old fashioned. war. This particular footnote to the career Rule in 1798 making it the oldest the choir began with ‘Pie Jesu’, from had made ‘A Nightingale Sang in of the famous writer and performer forms Rules. restaurant in London. Nevertheless, Coward’s wit is durable Faure’s Requiem. This was followed by Berkeley Square’ so famous, she had the framework There is no charge for attending the AGM, nor the enough to withstand the sense of parody the Bidding and the Sentences and the never recorded the song. So to rectify of Dennis Olsen Ceremony in the Foyer of the Theatre Royal. and some of his songs continue to sparkle hymn “The Lord’s My Shepherd. “ the situation he had arranged for a and Amanda Lunch at Rules will consist of the following:- Potted Salmon with a Cucumber & with their clever rhyming patterns and The first address was given by actor recording to be made, at Pizza-on-the- MuggIeton’s Sour Cream Dill ~ Rules Classic Steak & Kidney Pie ~ Seasonal vegetables ~ instant characterisations. Olsen wonder- Simon Williams, who had known Judy Park, during a fairly recent appearance. tribute show, Sharp Lemon Tart With a Meringue Topping ~ Freshly ground coffee fully brings to life the scandalous demi- for many years and had grown up with And then, to the surprise and deep Darling it’s The cost for the Lunch is £49 per person, which includes the above and also monde of life in the British colonies in I her children. He began by quoting from delight of the congregation, the recording Noel. Written includes half a bottle of excellent house wine per person and 15% service charge. Wonder What Happened to Him? and the first epistle of St. Paul, to the was played and suddenly Judy’s deep and directed by (There will be a vegetarian option) gets quite venomous in Don’t Put Your ‘ Corinthians, chapter 13, “And now and wonderful dulcet tones rang out. I‘m Rodney Fisher, The Graham Greene room seats 24 people around a long table and the adjacent Daughter on the Stage Mrs. Worthington. abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; certain that there were not many present, thIs hard-to-clas- Betjeman Room seats a maximum of 12. As we have four guests, there will only be Muggleton gets to sparkle in her solo but the greatest of these is charity.” who did not shed a tear at this point. sify entertain- places for 32 Members. Therefore, in the first instance the invitation to lunch is for turns as well, even if Uncle Harry’s Not Charity, said Simon, was a vital word A reading from Swinburne followed, ment features Amanda Muggleton MEMBERS ONLY. Obviously Members will be able to bring a guest, if insufficient a Missionary Now seems rather arch and when thinking of Judy and the kindness, then Sanctus from Faure’s Requiem and songs and scenes Members make a booking. outdated to really amuse. One can also love and help which she had given to so then the Lesson, from The Wisdom of from Coward’s There will be two formal seating plans. Plan A for the first two courses and plan B groan at the silly old jokes in the scene many people. His address, though Solomon. The final hymn was “The day output up to for the pudding and coffee courses. This is to enable everyone to mix and to have from Red Peppers. The story of a faded deeply moving, was also light in touch. Thou gavest, Lord, is ended” and then 1940. By that the opportunity of speaking to our distinguished Guests. The dress code is "smart", vaudeville couple whose backstage bitch- Simon said that a friend had remarked to the Blessing. stage he was 41 but ties are no longer de rigueur. iness to each other has become part of him that Judy had never ever said an The beautiful flower -strewn basket was and well into If you would like to attend the Lunch, please could you complete the enclosed the glue that holds their long, warring- unkind word about anyone behind their then carried out of the church, to mid-career suc- booking slip and send it to, Barbara Longford, at 7 Argyll Mansions, London W14 marriage together. Fisher’s production back……….she has always said it to Mendelssohn’s Overture to A cess with shows SQG, with a cheque for £6, payable to the Noel Coward Society, as a deposit. makes the most of the archival footage of their face. She had been a very honest Midsummer Night’s Dream. such as Private Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis and all cheques will be Coward’s visit to Australia, with photo- and direct person. Judy had hoped to perform ‘Nightingale’ Lives behind acknowledged. graphs of his time among the troops at Daughter, , then read a beau- for us in January at “Cocktails and him, as well as WIN A SIGNED COPY OF ‘COWARD ON FILM’ home flashed on a screen. But there is no Denis Olsen tiful poem, written by Judy’s late Laughter…” at Pizza-on-the-Park and those famous Barry Day has kindly offered a signed copy of his new book Coward on Film to be Cinesound newsreel footage to bring the Grandson, Anno, and we then sang Stephen Fry had prepared some introduc- patter songs, Mad Dogs and Englishmen raffled at the AGM annual lunch at Rules. Barry expects his book to be available in images to lifeand the show has to make Wesley’s hymn “Love divine, all loves tory remarks for her, but alas, Judy had and Don’t Put Your Daughter on the the US fromlate November or the first week in December unless there are any do with recorded voice-overs by excelling”. then been unwell. Stage, Mrs Worthington. Naturally unsuspected hold-ups. He expects the UK release to be some time in December or Muggleton and Olsen of Coward’s Both Moira Lister and Sheridan Morley, One of Judy’s last performances was enough these cIassics which, let’s be hon- early January. thoughts about the trip. As a result, the. our Honorary Vice Presidents, were pres- only last September, when she appeared est, are showing their age, are dusted off Why not a weekend of it and join us for the... Australian framework is rather a flimsy ent and next we had Sheridan’s address, at the Jermyn St. Theatre with Stefan and aired in, sparkling fashion by Olsen, Noel Coward Birthday Walk - Hampton Hill Playhouse - Teddington device to produce what is essentially a which was simply superb. As many of Bednarczyk who accompanied her on the who does Coward’s campy sophistication Gaham Sawyer has arranged another Noel Coward Birthday walk from Noel’s nostalgic cabaret style show about you will know, Sheridan has worked piano. It was a privilege to have been very well indeed. MuggIeton is good in Birthplace in Teddington to the Hampton Hill Playhouse on Sunday 19th December Coward’s creativity and diversity. extensively with Judy over recent years, present on that Sunday evening. the comedy sequences and patter songs; starting at 10.30a.m. followed by mulled wine and readings at the Playhouse. One Sent in by Ali Howarth who is now living but he mentioned that he had known her Although a little frail, Judy was still so too, even if her voice is not quite up to of the planned readings will be an extract from I’ll Leave It To You. in Perth, Australia - thanks Ali! as a friend, from childhood days, as he beautiful and so full of life, charm, talent Page 2 Page 11

Perhaps, however, we should be thankful Festival quartet now to be heard nightly and the unsuccessful musical, Pacific for small cinematic mercies. By on Shaftesbury Avenue in the Lyric 1860, that preceded it, suggests that Conversation Pieces ... a personal diary of all things Coward from the Editor Hollywood precedents we arc lucky not Revue at the Globe. Coward himself prefers his earlier work. to have had by this time a film biography A score of songs from a score of years; The general form of his pro-gramme was It seems to have been so long since the renew their membership. In some cases of Coward's career as song-writer star- might not this first appearance in cabaret a rapid selection of songs June Home Chat and with the printing membership is well overdue - largely our ring, perhaps, Dick Bentley. What \\iould have given us at least one new Coward mainly sentimental, from I'll See YOII delays over the last edition and the fault, we accept, as we have had several have been done to the songs themselves tune written for the occasion? That per- Again and Some Day I'll Find Yo/( to I'll effects of the holiday season this month’s changes of personnel and this is some- is hideously audible from the orchestral haps is up the entertainer's sleeve for the Follow My Secret Heart, including such copy is delayed but hopefully up to the thing that has slipped. Your help ensur- cacophony that introduces Afeet Me weeks ahead, when every-one will have light-hearted lilts as Somethillg To Do usual standard. The sad loss of Judy ing your own renewal payments is much Tonight and invades the interpolated to go again to hear Noel's new number. With Spring and Any Little Fish. A group Campbell, one of our Vice-Presidents appreciated. Without a regular income ca5ino sequence of Ways alld M eullS, in But if so it will be new in a limited of satirical songs followed, given sepa- and a memorable Coward leading lady we cannot provide the services that we which only the initiated can detect wist- sense. Coward's style reached its full rately and in full. This began with the rather overshadowed July. Barbara offer including Home Chat and the web- ful traces of Ploy Orchestra Play and You development early, it has remained un- extravagantly funny Nina from Longford represented the Society at her site. Under Barbara Longford’s leader- Were There, from Shadow Play in the changed and, surely, undiminished, with Amentina. Next The Stately Homes of funeral and we sent a wreath of flowers ship the Committee has been busy plan- Tonight at 830 group. For "based on" the years. The two decades that England. (Coward restores the once- on behalf of everyone. Moira Lister one ning new events and activities (see page read "debased from." separate Dance, Little Lady from Play, ofTensive line about the Jews and con- of our other VPs attended our sucessful 4). To return to Coward’s birthplace, 's voice singing Y 011 Orchestra, Play become, as one listens, tinues, rather foolishly, to sing "Here you event at Teddington - but more on this Teddington, and one of the year’s event Were There was heard in the memorial no more significant than the pause in see the four of us," which is palpably later. And, as you will also read in Home highlights at the Hampton Hill programme broadcast on Wed-nesday, which one turns over a favourite gramo- untrue even in the Cafe de Chat, Sheridan Morley, our other VP, is Playhouse. Celia and Barbara arranged a which also included recordings from Red phone record to hear the other side. Paris at 2 a.m.) Then comes the Anglo- appearing for us with Michael Law at the wonderful day for members and guests Pappers and Private Lives. The progra- Division of opinion about Coward is Indian burlesque, I W Ollder 1Vhot Maddermarket Theatre at our Norwich with Graham Sawyer Artistsic Chairman nune began by recalIing that on equaUy unchanged. He has remained, Happened to Him? Towards the end one Weekend 3rd to 5th September. of Teddington theatre Club. We joined September 9th at 8.30 the lights ou~ sid~ some say, unrepentantly superficial. He noticed that not even the generous pro- A word about our printer... I mean a laser Moira Lister, one of our VPs, to see London theatres were extinguished for has remained, say the fans, the same portions of the intervening Mrs. printing machine rather than a person of Noel’s birthplace at what was called one minute as a tribute to Miss Lawrence delightful Noel. Certainly his final place Worthington prevented Don't Make Fun course... its not his fault - yes the NCS “Helmsdale,” in Waldegrave Road. Then and ended with Noel Coward telling of in the theatrical. tableau of our time will of the Festival from exposing the short- laser printer is definitely masculine, a to St Alban’s Church where his parents her wish. when he last saw her in New be in Feste's motley, with a bitter-sweet comings of This i.f the Elld of the News, woman could not possibly be that diffi- met - now the Landmark Arts Centre. York a few months ago, to come home Heigh-ho. But there is such a thing as a however many' laughs it may get. But cult and demanding. As I say it’s not his We wandered around the exhibition of and "ppear in a new play which hc was perfected talent and the time is near with Mad Dogs alld Englishmen as an fault. He sleeps largely undisturbed for to write for her. To hear Mr. Coward when some attempt should be made to encore, Coward is back on the mark and weeks at a time and then suddenly is Moira Lister (middle), Graham Sawyer (left), members and guests at speak of ,Gertrude Lawrence was even assess just why it is that, let us say, Mad he ends with The Party's O,'er Now, an asked to print over 2,000 sides of A3 Noel’s birthplace more moving than to read the similar Dogs and Englishmen remains, twenty old song of his with absolutely no politi- paper (UK size) non-stop for a couple of local artists at the Church words he recently contribute,! to The years later, every bit as funny as when it cal significance. days. This usually results in a complete before meeting at ‘Joe’s Time.r. was written and better than any other Manifestly the party is not over now breakdown and frayed nerves all round. Bar and Restaurant’ at lyric writer has done since. for Noel Coward. The candle burns at But as my mother always said: “It is Hampton Hill followed by From ‘THEATRE” Noember 1951 With diffidence I offer the suggestion both ends as bright as ever. His attrac- immature to swear at inanimate objects.” a wonderful production of that Noel Coward is one of our best light tive but never exactly operatic voice is And so I do so only in the privacy of my one of Coward’s ‘biogra- poets. (If it mitigates the shock, one can not heard except through the micro- office known lovingly at Waldemar phical’ plays Present COWARD in point out that among his earliest publica- phone, from which he never strays. But Avenue as the Cess Pit. In the US Ken Laughter. Our special tions was a book of in expression, gesture, pointing, timing Starrett fields the printing for the US guest Moira Lister was . astonishingly versatile poetic parodies, and that ineffable personal essence of all members to a friendly local printing firm greeted with a mixture of CABARET Spangled Unicorn.) It is not wit or things technical that is style, Coward who do a wonderful job. awe and delight by the sophisticated ribaldry that account for his proves once more that he is one of the Aside from this Celia Cologne our cast of the play and was NOEL COWARD'S last musical was success as a song-writer. When we have great performers of our time. Membership Secretary has been sending warmly applauded by the set in a West End night club, where we heard the wisecracks or seen beyond the On November 28th his latest comerly, out the membership details we hold in Two Joannas! Denise Truscott with Moira audience at the end of a saw a good deal of the cabaret. At the blue horizon of most comedians we hard- Relative Values, brings our database and inviting members to Lister who played the part with Noel in 1947 wonderful production. The Old Hamptonians were Cafe de Paris last week -and for several ly laugh as much at their same jokes back to the West End. Our own rela-tive superb in their roles. The actors involved work in weeks to come-it was as though a scene twenty years after-wards. They are with- values ,are changing, no doubt, but in a productions for other amateur groups, particularly from the play had come to life, though ered by age and staled by custom. world where chann and wit are the Teddington Theatre Club, whose official home there was no able-bodied sailor in the Coward's rhymes still click and the sub- in sadly short supply, only the churlish is the Hampton Hill Playhouse. The role of fashionable audience to rescue the hero- tlety and skill of his rhythms is a main will be ungrateful for the diversion of a Garry was played with exceptional flair and style ine. But then there was no heroine. Noel reason for it. Nor is he entirely without design for living that has cut such a by Stephen Bentley. The whole cast and the direc- Coward was his own Ace of Clubs. felicitous successes beyond the satirical delightfully impudent arabesque in the tor, Ken Mason are to be congratulated on doing Where Are The Songs We Sung? That mood. Now that the over-emotional thin ice of our p'erishing times. the Master proud! Thanks also to to Eric Yardley one from Operette was missing (and so intensities of the warhave eased it and the board of the Hampton Hill Theatre for was Dearest Love), but most of becomes clear that his perfect little but- Ed. If you have an archive article, photo- their hospitality and interest in our visit. the other favourites were there in a tonhole, Londoll Pride, has a lasting fra- graph or item of interest to members why The Cast of Present Laughter were: Morris Dixon - John Bellamy forty-five minute performance that not send a copy to us at Home Chat 29, Daphne Stillington - Dawn Miller Joanna Lypiatt - Denise Truscott grance while the more heavy-handed Miss Erikson - Jackie Barrett Lady Saltburn - Sue Birks ranged from the late twenties-Bitter patriotic pomposities of the period-Old Waldemar Avenue, Hellesdon, Norwich, Fred - Colin Greenhalgh Director - Ken Mason Sweet-through Cochran's 1931 Revue, Father Thames, There'll Always Be An NR6 6TB UK or email: homechat@noel- Monica Reed - Carol Stratton S.M. - Lyn Randall Garry Essendine - Stephen Bentley Design - Wesley Henderson Roe Conversation Piece and Tonight at 8.30 EnglalUl-merely stink. coward.net Liz Essendine - Mandy Stenhouse Lighting - Robin Hoare to war-time songs and the satirical The absence of songs from Ace of Clubs Roland Maule - Jim Bellingham Sound - Stuart Costigan Henry Lyppiatt - Charles A. Hallford Page 10 Page 3

In the US Ken Starrett tells us that he copy of a video of Surprise Package. interminable discourses that make the the result ,Ielightful. Noel Coward excels and several NCS members attended the (Ed. A Coward film that I have never FUTURE EVENTS THEATRE Inquisitor's spee'ch in St. Joan sound in style, in the strict literary sense of dis- final performance of a production of Hay seen and a video that neither Ken or I like an aside. Lynn Fontanne, in the text tinctive and charming choice of words. Fever presented by the Shakespeare have ever manged to get). He almost got COWARD ON FILM MOMENTS as well as in the scene, expecting Without ill-will to other prevailing West Company of New Jersey at Drew a script of In Which We Serve signed by Following the publication of Barry Day’s muffins and finding only toast, sustained End comedies by which I have been University. He writes...This delightful John Mills. He had been alerted to this book Coward On Film, the Society is Here are two archive articels from the herself phoenix-like on her own ineffa- agreeably entertained, I would exchange production was handsomely mounted by an email from the Debut Theatre in planning to hold a film evening in Theatre Magazine kindly sent in by ble charm. Lesser performers them all for ten minutes of Quadrille, for with striking set and costumes. Very the South of England using this item as a London on a Sunday afternoon in Feb Stephen Marshall were lumped about the stage, in the rail- the sheer pleasure of hearing the right imaginative staging and direction was means of fund-raising for their theatre - a 2005 which includes afternoon tea. way-station scenes, as devoid of appeal words in the n~ht order; and that handled by director, Gabriel Barre. The good idea! During the online auction It will be a 4 to 5 hour event at about From ‘THEATRE’ 27th Sepotember 1952 as parcels at Paddington. this pleasure is not solely due to the' uniformly excellent cast was headed by week he was the only bidder for the item. £35pp with the first chance to buy Since the play was written for the Lunts incomparable Lunts is confinned for me Jill Gascoine in the role of Judith Bliss. Two minutes before the auction ended - Barry’s book about Noel’s films. Barry ALL CHANGE it is less l.ertinent to insist that by a reading of the printed play. Why the The grand theatricality of her perform- while he was on a bus going to work - has made the book available exclusively they are the making of it, which, of sentimental light comedy of verbal style ance was never irritating or annoying. someone outbid him by two pounds. He to members of society for its initial pub- QUADRILLE, by Noel Coward course, they are, than to admire the should leave the critics so dissatis-fied I She always had charm and expertly han- hopes it was someone in the Society who lication run. If you are interested in (Phoenix ) skill born of long friendship and stage- do not know. That Griffith Jones and dled the comic values. This well-done got it! attending such an event please complete partnership with which the author-pro- Marian Spencer, and some others, throw production further proves how entertain- There have been some unavoidable the questionnaire part of the enclosed MEET ME TO-NIGHT (Marble Arch ducer has provided the polish in which it away at times to the point of inaudibil- ing a Coward play can be. changes to the planned Weekend in booking form. This event is being organ- Odeon) they shine. Apart from the ity IS, I think, a legitimate complaint. (programme is on the way to you). Ken Norwich from 3rd to 4th September. ised by Geoffrey Skinner, Samuel French justifiable and not inordinate speech that But I advise everybody who relishes wit also caught the production of Lunes de Unfortunately for reasons outside our Ltd, 52 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 5JR, ROY WALKER is the culmination of the second Act one to book a seat in Cecil Beaton's charm- Miel in Paris (see the June edition of control the planned production on UK looks in vain in the text (Heine-mann, ingly upholstered Pull-man, to see Mr. Home Chat for details) after a visit to Saturday evening of The Master’s Voice Tel: 020 7387 9373 THE conjunction of Noel Coward 8s. 6d.) for the interminable Lunt's masterly manipulation of that Berlin. He writes... It was a most inter- has had to be postponed to a later date. and the Lunts is a phenomenon of the- sentences or harangues. Complaints that curious piece of American locomotive esting experience to see this production However the Society is very pleased to NOEL COWARD EVENING WITH atrical astronomy more than once raptur- the idiom :5 not faithfully Victorian machinery inelegantly styled the cow- done in the manner of a broad farce. For announce that Sheridan Morley and KT SULLIVAN AT JERMYN STREET ously observed in the United only raise the question of what sort of catcher and to admire Miss Lynn the most part, we are used to a more Michael Law will be repeating their West THEATRE - DEC16th States but hitherto inexplicably hidden artificial comedy Mr. Coward writes. Fontanne's first-class carriage as she understated production. Given the choice End success in: “An Evening With from English eyes. Design for Living The parallel with Private Liz.es has goes clean off thc rails. Quadrille has a of style, the two leads, Pierre Arditi and Sheridan Morley and Michael Law” at The Society has organised a special was written by Mr. Coward for the darkened counsel considerably; a more season ticket; many travellers will want Evelyne Bouix performed expertly in a the Norwich Maddermarket that evening. cabaret celebration with the cabaret per- Lunts and himself and superbly played illuminating comparison with Still Life a return. manner that complimented each other. Fo those of you who might be interested former KT Sullivan who is providing a by them in N ew York in 1933. Six years seems to have escaped notice altogether. If this enthusiasm for the form and style This smoothness may be accounted for in coming for thre weekend or just for the Noel Coward Birthday Cabaret for one later the West End was vouch- It was on the same stage in 1936 that of Noel Coward's comedy seems exces- by the fact that in ‘private life’ they are day to see the show then please get in night only on Dec16th at the Jermyn safed the spectacle of Anton Walbrook, Noel Cowa.:d ami the late Gertrude sive I prescribe comparison of married to each other. Sonia Vollereaux touch with me on 01603 486 188 or by Street theatre with a pre-theatre dinner at ruining Coward's lines by hardly com- Lawrence performed this poignant little three of the Tonight at 8...,0 plays-Red and Franck Mercadal as Sybil and Victor email at: [email protected]. about Getty’s (next door) for £50 pp. If prehensible mid-European intonations play that began and ended in the Peppers, Filmed Oak and l1/ays and M were appropriate foils. The adaptation for Stephen Fry has also been in touch to say you are interested in attending such an and surviving by sheer force of personal refreshment-room of a railway-station, ean,r-with the film "based on" them this production seems quite literal, the that he regrets that he is filming during the event please complete the questionnaire charm. Point Valaine was written by Mr. with its unforced symbolism of arrival which Anthony Havelock-Allan has pro- most notable change being the absence of whole of September and October and will part of the enclosed booking form.This Coward for the Lunts in 1935, and, and departure, more widely known duced. That it is not in itself a bad film Noel Coward's music. Original music be unable to join us. The weekend will event is organised by Geoffrey Skinner - after another geological interval, this recently in the film version called Brief is precisely my point. But the deadly was written for the production. A note of continue with a meal together on the see contact details above. Maughamish melodrama of passion in Encounter. Quadrille also begins and satire of score and script of a thinl-ratc nostalgia added to the evening. It was in Friday evening, in Tombland, Norwich the Pacific was rather incongruously ends in the refreshment-room of a rail- music-hall turn is gone and a this theatre, Theatre Edouard VII, that with a walk around the central a part of POSTSCRIPT performed at Swiss Cottage in 1947 way-station ani its central character is a Nighl at the Opl?ra Marxian finale is a Coward himself performed in Present Norwich in the evning. On Saturday without them. One began to wonder railway-king named - in one of Coward's poor slapstick substitute. Three resource- Laughter (Joyeux Chagrins) in 1948. members and guests are invited to join us During the period following the funerla a trifle bitterly if the trio might be little puns that has also ful twists of the denouemer.t of Ways There are photographs of that production for either a guided tour of the City or and obituaries for Judy Capmbell the wheeled on in bath-chairs at some escaped critical notice ~ Axel. Its and Means fatally labour the point. And in the lobby. This theatre also presented another of the Cathedral both by Blue press have had pieces on her daughter charity matinee towards the end of pattern is a wheel that comes full circle many of th~ best lines have been con- many plays by with his Badge guides. In the afternoon there will Jan Birkin who was planning a film of the century to croak triumphantly and Axel is not only the hub but the scientiously I ewritten in basic scenario wife Yvonne Printemps - star of be a repeat of the City tour or an opportu- and starring her mother called Boxes - through a postscript to Cavalcade. But at driving-force. Mrs. Axel is a Boston flier English. "Cold 'am, wot a surprise!" (in Coward's Conversation Piece. A restau- nity to explore the City and its excellent Judy had been reading the script whilst in last patience has been rewarded and who runs off with a marquess. Axel pur- Fumed Oak) is rendered "cold left- rant off the stalls is named ‘Cafe Guitry’ shopping areas or visit the Castle, hospital. The film, due to start in we have if not a youthful fox-trot a sues her with the marchioness and makes over5" ('am being in luxuriously short and displays many posters of his plays. Bridewell and Strangers Hall museums. In September, was to include Judy in the mature Quadrille. another connection. supply nowadays, except in some of the The French audience greeted the evening the evening at 6.00 pm we meet at cast. Jane says, “I had hoped that she Perhaps expectations had been over- Coward's plays have never been entirely performances) dnd the industry's with much enthusiasm. Ken and I in Pinnochio’s for a pre-theatre supper and would have her last great role.” “She was wrought by the long years of waiting. devoid of a distinctive sparkle, but he econon'y is safeguarded at the expense common with many of you are avid then a short walk to the Maddermarket a diva, utterly irreplaceable. She used to At any rate there has been almost a has tended to alternate the sentimental of satire when "they can 'ave Garbo for Coward collectors so it is no surprise to theatre to see the show. On Sunday morn- give inspiration and intellect - all of us concensus of critical disappointment mood of costume pieces such as Bitter ninepence" is rather primly trans-lated learn that he has the following recent ing, for those who wish it, there is a went into the theatre and my daughters that poor old Mr. Coward has perpe- Sweet with a lively sense of the absurdi- into "the pictures for one and three." aquisitions: An original programme of chance to meet in the City and enjoy lunch would ring her for advice on the best lins trated a slight and verbose rehash of ties of society's ethical expectations in Noel Coward should put a stop to this On With The Dance, a programme of together at a public house near the in Chekov and which directors to work Private Lives in crinolines, only saved such modern comedies as Hay Fever. In sort of mishandling of his lines. Ben Point Valaine from the Colonial Theatre Cathedral and get a last look at this fine with. She was so beautiful so ravishing. I from limping to a standstill by the the little Victorian musical piece Family Hecht and Charles McArthur rewrote in Boston, a programme of The Vortex city before departing. Lastly the catalogue felt like a mouse by her side.” undimmed virtuosity of the Lunts, whose Album from the Tonight at 8.30 cycle Design for Lil.illg for the screen without from the Broad Street Theatre in Newark, of books from the Coward London Office quality is of course familiar to us in the moods were still separte but in leaving more than a couple of lines New Jersey (first stop on the National is included with this edition of Home Extracts from London The Evening Sherwood and Rattigan. Alfred Lunt, Quadrilfe, set. in thc same period, both intact; but they had a satirical style of Tour after Broadway) a mint condition Chat. John Knowles Standard & The Observer one gathered, gallops glibly through are sustained simultaneously ani I found their OWl] and a com-pletely new ver- sion is not just bubble and squeak. Page 4 Page 9

NEWS, VIEWS AND LETTERS... “Dear Noel, Thank you very much for the pound that you sent me for my birthday. I Relative Sizes... Courtney am never going to spend it because it Kenny CD smells of you...”An interview with Hayley Mills This album has been sent to On a day when New York was finally breaking out of its Winter cold and us by Courtney who is a rain and had started enjoying Spring sunshine, Ken Starrett and John native of West Ireland. After Knowles welcomed Hayley Mills to the Compass Restaurant for an inter- studying at the Royal view about her work and interest in Coward’s plays. Hayley is an actor College of Music in London, best known for her childhood roles but is currently very active on the he went on to develop his stages of New York and London. She is the youngest daughter of our career as musical director of Hayley Mills and Ken Starrett at the Compass Restaurant President Sir John Mills and has a keen interest Coward, the man that the compa- noticed, by accident, her father in a Far- Day who is writing a book about his along... we went to the North and the ny. He spent five years in Eastern touring stage company and kick- (Coward’s) letters came across a letter South Islands of New Zealand and went Light Music and Music started his film and West End acting that I had written when I was about as far down as you can possibly get to Theatre, and in 1959 joined career. seven saying… ‘Dear Noel, Thank you Dunedin and Invercargill. This one the- the touring opera group “Opera For All” as Her sunny disposition and openess are very much for the pound that you sent atre in Dunedin, the dressing rooms were pianist. In 1960 he was invited to join the entirely disarming and although we did me for my birthday. I am never going to downstairs and the basement was flooded music staff of the famous Glyndbourne not touch on her childhood career in our spend it because it smells of you’ … and we had to… with our beautiful bead- Festival Opera where he worked for eleven meeting you cannot help but feel you are it was not then of course a coin and then ed Twenties dresses on, satin shoes with seasons. For nearly Forty years he has been opposite the innocent child that believed about… ‘how much I enjoyed visiting Diamante buckles had to tiptoe across performing on the cabaret circuit in England Alan Bates was Jesus in Whistle Down you at your place. Please give my love to duckboards teetering over the waters… and Ireland. He has appeared at Pizza On The Wind. Graham and Coley.’ And there was an but it was nothing like the days when The Park on several occasions and in the Her stage career has included a number awful drawing of myself with my hair all touring companies would go out for Mabel Mercer Cabaret Convention in New of Coward plays: Fallen Angels in 1992 over my face. I don’t know where he months and months being abandoned on York. His New York appearances include his Terence Trimmer writes ...I could not resist photro- in which she toured Australia, New found it. railway platforms because there was no one man show A Boy For Life at the Irish graphing these two Noel Coward volumes together. Zealand and the United Kingdom with Q: So you wrote this letter that Barry is money to pay them or for the tickets. Repertory Theatre. He was in New York in The Quotable Noel Coward by Sheridan Morley her sister Juliet; Brief Encounter in 1996 going to publish…what next Q: Did you enjoy working with your sis- June and October 1998, when he gave perfo- Running Press 1999 (size 8.4 x 7.2 cm) and Noel in Newcastle and Suite In Two Keys in A: Tnen Juliet … you really ought to be ter? mances at Eighty-Eight’s, and appeared in a Coward The Complete Lyrics edited and annotated by 2000 in New York. She has taken part in talking to Juliet. He was her Godfather. My sister and I are really good friends. tribute to Gertrude Lawrence at the Cabaret Convention at Town Hall. Barry Day Methuen 1998 (size 30 x 28cm). numerous readings including many for So she had much more association with She’s my best girlfriend. We have a lot In October of that year he and Nuala Willis took part in a tribute to Sir Ed. Are these the largest and smallest Coward volumes Elizabeth Sharland and Barry Day him than I did. She went to his house in of things in common, apart from the fact Noel Coward at Town Hall and also appeared with great success at including New Aspects of Noël Coward, Switzerland. I went to school in we’re sisters… we have a timing thing… Eighy-Eight’s. 20th 2000, he gave a sold out performance of Mad Strictly Private Lives, and the only Switzerland for about six months and I we have the same kind of beat going JAN STERLING Dogs and Englishmen in the Purcell Room on the South Bank and extant scene from Noël’s last play Age know that they dropped me off there on… we have a very similar sense of elsewhere. Copies of this CD of his show can be obtained for £15 Ken Sephton adds to our piece on this actress as fol- Cannot Wither staged as part of when I was fifteen and then they went humour… I think she’s hysterically each from: Courtney Kenny at: Russets, Straight Mile, Etchingham. lows... Her first husband was John Merivale, son of Cowardx2 to raise funds for off up to spend some time with Noel in funny anyway. There were times (in East Sussex, TN19 7BA email:[email protected] British actor Philip Merivale (who worked a lot in the Shakespeare’s Globe theatre. his house there. I haven’t been to Firefly Fallen Angels) because the opportunity American Theatre and in Hollywood films) and his In May she appeared at the New York house… that was a very special place… to develop business is given to you… Making Dickie Happy - Jeremy Kingston has written then wife Galdys Cooper who was John’s stepmother. Library in Johnny G & Noël C as part of my Mum and Dad have been… in fact things happen and the audience think its He was Vivien Leigh’s companion. With reference to to let us know about a play of his being performed in September entitled, Making Dickie Happy, that opens at the Rosemary Branch the Gielgud centenary celebrations and when a friend of mine went and saw the funny and you run with it. That’s one of those wonderful Night of a 100 Stars midnight mati- performed in excerpts from The Vortex, house three years ago the book that was the joys of playing comedy. You’ve got nees at the Palladium. They lasted from 1953 to 1964 Theatre, Islington. He adds that a number of his theatre critic col- leagues will be covering it. It is set at an island hotel off the coast of Private Lives, and in a rendering of on the table was open at a poem that my and I was fortunate to attend all but the last one. In Devon in the early 1920s the main characters are Noel Coward, Lord ‘Three Juvenile Delinquents’ from Ace Mother wrote called ‘Firefly Hill’. one Jan Sterling and her then husband Paul Douglas Louis Mountbatten and Agatha Christie, all at the threshold of their Of Clubs which was once performed in Which was lovely. performed the card-playing scene from Born Yesterday careers. Mountbatten and Agatha Christie are in the throes of emo- 1953 at a midnight charity show by Q: Did they visit Noel there very often. and in another Noel and Marlene, each wearing straw tional crises - ‘Dickie’ Mountbatten doesn’t know if he wants to be Gielgud, Olivier and her father. Steve A: I am not sure but certainly at least boaters duetted to great acclaim By Land, Sea and Air. married, Agatha doesn’t know if she’s going to stay married and Ross joined and accompanied Hayley once. Noel represents a whole era. He Noel sponsored the first few, then Lawrence Olivier Coward, endeavouring to sort out their troubles, discovers he has with Simon Jones as Noël and Richard was unique and fascinated in people… took over. Every star in London at thetime appeared, troubles of his own. He hopes the play will interest those who admire Easton as in what was he loved people , that’s what he wrote often doing things not normally associated with them! and enjoy the works of Coward. rechristened “Four Juvenile about. Delinquents.” Q: Can I ask you about when you did Juliet and Hayley Mills in Fallen Angels RICHARD HOLBROOK - STEPS OUT favourites such as: Isn’t This A Lovely Day/A Fallen Angles with you sister in 1992? have a sense of restraint and good taste .. Foggy Day/A Fine Romance/Let’s Call The Whilst in New York earlier this year I listened and met Q: Is it right that you only met Coward A: We toured a long time in England in no not even necessarily that… but know- for the first time the cabaret performer Richard Whole Thing Of/The Way Yopu Look once as a child? provincial theatres… about 6 months and ing that I think I’ve really gone on a little Holbrook. His songs have an immediate appeal to Tonight/Never Gonna Dance/How Long Has A: No it was more than that. There was the Frost Organisation did another pro- bit too long here I think its time to draw Porter, Gershwin, Berlin and Kerr lovers everywhere. I This Been Going On/ This Heart Of Mine/They one memorable one at The Savoy hotel recommend him as a quintessentially American singer Can’t Take That Away From Me plus duction with Christopher Wrenshaw in the horses. There were a couple of who has the warmth and connection with his audience Sondheim’s Old Friends and new pieces from and he may well have been doing A directing it and we set off around times when I caught my sister’s eye and Suite In Three Keys. Which I went to Australia and New Zealand and had a she was raising her eyebrow. But if that we know from the likes of Fred Astaire - some clas- new and aspiring New York composers. To purchase now email sic tracks and some new pieces as well. This new singer Currently negotiating selling rights with Tower Richard at: singing- see. I was probably 13. I met him that wonderful time. Did very good business. you’re already really close… we had our is well worth watching for the future. Tracks include Records & Footlights in New York. [email protected] evening in the Savoy Grill Room. Barry Juliet and I had hysterical laughs all little contre-temps about things. Page 8 Page 5

Q: You would obviously love to do it logue? A: Oh yes. I do I give it my best shot. lead and had to make his entrance on author is no longer with you. To dovetail problem that people think ‘It is too diffi- (Fallen Angels) again A: I love it you see its so familiar to me It’s a terrifying experience. I don’t think roller skates… far too fast. He wanted to the play and the screenplay … we were cult to get hold of her.’ I just want to do I’d love to do it again. We were hoping it’s wonderful stuff for an actor to have I would ever want to do it again. I did impress the great man, flipped up and fudging it… it was always clunky and I the things I really want to do. The theatre we were going to be able to do it again at coming out of their mouths on stage, to King And I for nearly two years. I did ten landed and broke his thumb… made a thought - why not go and see the movie! is my main focus. I also haven’t made the Pasadena Playhouse just for six be so articulate and sharp and witty. The months in Australia. Then I did a year in huge impact. When he told Noel in the Q: Did you enjoy doing the reading of any films for such a long time so they weeks and Brian Bedford was going to characters… some of them are fluffy this country (USA). Its actually not very dressing room that he had actually bro- ‘Still Life’ at ‘Food For Thought?’ don’t come knocking on my door. I had silly people yes but an awful lot of them well-structured for Mrs. Anna… she’s ken his thumb he said ‘Keep it in!’ And A: Yes I did it with my partner. He was a such a strong identity in films such a are people… with great depth. He then it was such an extraordinary thing to little dubious about it because he’s long time ago and that was good then but observed people so sharply and affec- do… Journey’s End… he wanted to do it younger and Indian. But it didn’t matter its against me now. I’m a bit of an tionately I think. Its his language, it’s with them… so they rehearsed it and as it was a reading and he’s a very good anachronism really where films are con- such a joy. I love words and people who played it. actor. But apart from that there were cerned. use words well… it’s irresistible. Then your father was in ‘In Which We Indians in England and I think it made it I recently did a tour Increasingly today people don’t use Serve.’ even more poignant that he was younger of Humble Boy in words very well… there’s a paucity of Juliet’s in that film too... (she plays the so I didn’t think that was a problem. I England which I vocabulary and the misuse of words… part of the baby at the end of the film and love that play I’d love to do some more loved very much it’s a shame… its an art to be able to is in the credits Ken reminds me) We of Tonight at 8.30. I think that was a bril- wanted to do ever The cast of the 1962 revival of Fallen Angels with Julietr and Hayley Mills express yourself well… and he’s so won- move on to talk about personal Coward liant idea of his to do different one act since I first saw it. derfully funny. That marvellous song that never off… well when she is off she’s favourites. plays and when he felt like a giving him- Perhaps that’s the direct it. Juliet has been doing a Soap that trio in Chicago (where this year tearing her clothes off and putting anoth- Q: What is your favourite? self a night off put on a play that he was- thing with me called Passions. She’s been in it three Hayley Mills, Ken Starrett Geoffrey er heavy dress on… like carrying a table A: Private Lives is a personal favourite. n’t in. because I really years and she’s still in it and they were Johnson were part of an English around. Dancing carrying those children! The production with Alan Rickman and When we opened Brief Encounter that wanted to do that, I prepared to give her some time off but teacher’s conference on Noel Coward), I read Gertie’s autobiography. She talks Lindsay Duncan is very different in pace revolving stage was a nightmare. It took pursued it. Then we couldn’t get the North American they did a lot of numbers. There was a about when she was in Charlot’s Revue in timbre and everybody absolutely loved such a long time that we actually never they kept saying ‘No, no, we’re cast.’ rights as it was going to conflict with man with a beard rather rotund who sang and she came over on a ship to New it. And perhaps that made it more acces- finished as actors, ‘the technical,’ (the And then another production came and I other plans for the play. One day maybe I’ve Been To A Marvellous Party. I was York and met Bea Lillie. The amount sible to people. I’ve seen productions of technical rehearsal) before we had to do went to tell my agent, ‘come on get after we’ll do it. under the table it was so funny, it’s about that they worked then… they worked so Noel’s plays particularly the comedies the first preview. Extremely dangerous them I really want to do that,’ and he said Q: What about ‘A Suite In Two Keys’ keeping our sights up linguistically. hard and partied so hard. She describes where people have fallen into a very easy thing to do with such a very technical ‘No, no, we’ve got other offers.’ ‘Then A: We had a difficult time (with it) Q: What about the evenings you have one dinner party where everything just trap where you just play the comedy you show and at one point when the two what about the tour I just want to play because we changed directors mid- done with Barry Day? went black she suddenly couldn’t see. don’t play the meaning your not connect- (Alec and Laura) have met we stepped that part.’ I want to do things I really stream. I’ve had a few experiences like A: That’s been great fun. He’s put them Q: What about the work you did with ed to the thought, it’s just words that go off the revolving stage as we’d had tea want to do and enjoy them as long as it’s that.. that’s part of working in the the- together really well. I’ve worked with Elizabeth Sharland? out pitter-patter and its all about style and and we were now going to go to the cine- with good people. And this play that I atre. You do films and they never see the Rosemary Harris Michael Allinson, A: Well I did one evening at the attitude and it doesn’t seem real and you ma The Kardomah coffee house started to hope may happen in London is some- light of day or you do a film and you Richard Easton, Edward Hibbard, Simon Algonquin last year and I’m doing and lose the sense of who they are and what roll away and we heard it start to clunk thing I’ve wanted to do for about eight think you’re frightfully good and you Jones. It always astounds me. We do evening tomorrow… she’s very deter- they are saying and that does a great dis- and you have to raise your voice a little years. And when I first said I wanted to end up on the cutting room floor. Thank them for one night in a tiny little theatre mined and gets things together and I service. Although they may appear to be bit to drown the sound of the mechanics. do this play Chris said, ‘Oh no you’re far God that’s never actually happened to me and its packed! You think how did admire that…. I flippant and indeed they are being flip- And as well as the clanking machinery to young.’ Well anyway now I’m appar- but you never know. I had recently everyone know about this? But this is a am reading the pant, they’re real people being flippant we suddenly heard the sound of cracking, ently not! But also I’m getting into the moved to New York and I was city of obscure theatres and plays and the letters of Mrs. covering up something about their lives, splintering, breaking wood and I looked character area which is fun. approached about doing this… I very sidewalk is thronging with people and Pat and Ellen their feelings, their relationships, whatev- at Simon and he looked at me and we Now one of the things I did for Barry, An much wanted to do it and they had lots you think - I’ve never heard of that play. Terry and er it is. There was a different way of both turned and looked over our shoulder Evening With Alan Bennett where I did a of problems getting the cast together. It’s a great place to be if you love the Michael being in the Twenties. They had just and as we turned the whole of the wall of series of sketches... it was wonderful for Q: It was the first time that anyone in theatre. Allinson is come out of a devastating war and the the Kardomah coffee house fall down. me and I did a scene from his wonderful New York had had a chance to see Q: Have you seen the wonderful film clip reading George need to grab hold of life by the scruff of And there was an extra, non-speaking play The Lady In The Van, a marvellous ‘Shadows of the Evening.’ It was surpris- that Noel shot of your father dancing Bernard Shaw. So that’s fun. I don’t the neck and really live it, live every part, bless his heart, sitting there at a play. I suddenly realised the fun of play- ing that for that reason alone it did not Children’s Hour in Words and Music? know why we don’t do more of that kind moment, enjoy it and have fun and then table having a cup of coffee and he was ing somebody who isn’t remotely like have a longer run? A; He was very much influenced by Fred of thing in London… readings, plays and redeem the horror. One of my favourite pinned to the table and we rushed held up yourself – a character. A: I think if the producers had had a lit- Astaire and Jimmy Cagney. He did Three workshops… it gives a feeling of things things though I have to say, although I the wall… you know this is a preview… tle more experience they might have Juvenile Deliquents with Danny Kaye happening and gets works thought about. have never done the real play in the prop- held up the wall and looking over my After an hour and a half Hayley agreed managed things differently. A lot of (sic) and Lawrence Olivier I think at the Q: Your father spoke to us about Noel in er sense of the word is Still Life. I did shoulder and seeing all these startled to be photographed and signed a book money was spent on things… that should Night of a Hundred Stars… there’s that 2001 when he laid flowers on his stautue Brief Encounter… it didn’t work really. I faces thinking ‘I wonder if this is sup- for me and finally left to read her possi- probably have been saved for putting up wonderful line of Noel’s…when they at Drury Lane. did a try-out for seven weeks with Simon posed to happen?’ It was a shame. ble new play for London. notices and ads. Giving us a chance to tried to think of a title for it and they A: He always says that he owes Noel so Dutton where the writer Andrew Taylor Q: Are there any other things you would My warm thanks go to her for giving us run for at least a couple of weeks. There came up with ‘Summer Stars’ and Noel much. (There followed an interrupted put the one act play together with the like to do her time and her for her kindness was really quite a good advance (of audi- said, “Some are not!” discussion about The Quaints touring screenplay. It seemed like a very good A: I’m wholly in love with the theatre. I throughout. Thanks also to Ken Starrett ence bookings) but they felt that because Q: Have you ever sung Coward’s songs? wiht Sir John in the Far East when Noel idea and I’m so in love with the movie am talking about doing something in who set-up the interview and provided Ben Bradley didn’t give it a notice that A: No… I did do the King and I… I do came acrioss them) and loved the one-act play so much I London actually this summer with my welcome help, support and guidance was going to get people stumbling down feel a connection to him and Gertrude Hamlet was in the repertoire of The though it had a good chance of working. darling friend Christopher Renshaw. In a along the way. Final thanks to the staff of the street to buy tickets that they couldn’t Lawrence. I have always been very Quaints. They should have been doing But I don’t think that ultimately having a fringe capacity. We haven’t set anything the Compass who could see we were ‘into risk it. That anyway was the explanation drawn to and fascinated by her. It is a Hamlet that night but the leading actor lot of narration in the theatre works. yet. If I do it will probably be in August. something here’ and used their discretion that we were given... they may have been great regret that I never actually saw her was indisposed… I think he was dealing When we were working on it we had I love living here (New York) I think they to ensure that we were well served but other reasons. perform. with a hangover. They did Young quite a bit of difficulty doing any sort of think I am a bit of a fly-by-night because left largely uninterrupted. Q: What do you feel about Coward dia- Q: You sang in that (The King And I) Woodley and my father was playing the rewrites… how can you rewrite when the I do live in both places I have had the John Knowles

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