The Newsletter Of The Noël Coward Society October 2005

FREE TO MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY CHAT Price £3 ($5) The Presidenthome of The Noël Coward Society His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent

The Society is delighted to announce Sid Field Benefit…….Highest spot – that His Royal Highness, The Duke of Judy Garland.” Kent, KG, GCMG, CVO, ADC, has As the years passed there were other accepted our invitation to become the references, some more fleeting than oth- Society’s President, succeeding the late ers: “Lunched with the Duchess and Sir , CBE. Princess Alexandra”, “had tea with This is a fitting tribute to the long Princess Marina”, and so on. friendship of His Royal Highness’s par- Noël was a genuine friend who ents, the late Prince George, Duke of adored being with the Duchess, whether Kent and Princess Marina, with Noël. entertaining her in lavish style, or mere- Prince George was the fourth son of ly dropping in for a quiet chat over a King George V, and Princess Marina drink or two. Princess Marina died in was the daughter of Prince Nicholas of 1968, aged only 61, from an inoperable Greece. The couple married in 1934 and brain tumour. Noël visited her for tea were regarded as the most attractive, on the day she returned from hospital popular and, above all, stylish royal cou- and wrote afterwards, “She was in bed

ple of their generation. Prince George and looked very papery. I am worried g r o . met Noël in 1923, just as his career was about her. She was very cheerful, how- a i d e

taking off. Both men had immense ever, and we gossiped and giggled.” p i k charm and astonishing good looks and Our new President was born in 1935 i W

: o represented the crème de la crème of the and was styled His Royal Highness t o h

glittering 1920’s London Society. On Prince Edward of Kent – as a grandson P reading the terrible news of Prince of the British sovereign in the male line, George’s death in an air crash, in he was given the title Prince of the prize for foreign languages and also August, 1942, aged only 39, Noël wrote United Kingdom of Great Britain and passed the French interpretership exami- in his diary:- Northern Ireland. However, on the nation. The Duke retired from the Army “A dreadful morning. Headlines in death of his father on 25th August, in 1976 with the rank of Lieutenant- the papers saying that the Duke of Kent 1942, Prince Edward succeeded his Colonel and was subsequently promoted was killed in an air crash. I can hardly father as Duke of Kent and later in 1959 to Field Marshal in June 1993. believe it, but of course that is nonsense took his seat in the House of Lords. As He has travelled widely and repre- because I believe it only too well. It is a royal duke, he was destined for royal sented The Queen on important occa- never difficult to believe that someone duties at an early age. Aged 17, he sions such as the independence celebra- young and charming and kind is dead. walked behind the coffin of his uncle, tions in Sierra Leone, Uganda, Guyana, They are always dying…..Well, there George VI at his state funeral in 1952 Barbados and The Gambia. He has been goes a friendship of nineteen years. I and in 1953, he attended the coronation a Counsellor of State on The Queen's shall miss him most horribly……..” of his cousin, Queen Elizabeth II, pay- absence abroad. Noël’s friendship with the elegant ing homage at her throne after her One of the Duke's major public roles Princess Marina continued throughout crowning. for many years was as Vice-Chairman of her life. His diaries written from the HRH, the Duke of Kent, has had a British Trade International, (BTI - for- 1940’s onwards, and his journals for the distinguished career and made an merly the British Overseas Trade Board), 1950s and 60s were liberally sprinkled immense contribution to the work of the a position he held from 1976. The Duke with references to Princess Marina. On Royal Family. He was commissioned was actively involved in leading over- June 25th 1951, he wrote “Went with the from the Royal Military College, seas trade missions and visiting compa- Duchess of Kent to Covent Garden to Sandhurst, in 1955 as a Second nies large and small across the United hear Bohème – Victoria de los Angeles Lieutenant in the Royal Scots Greys, the Kingdom promoting Britain and British sang well but looked like a musical beginning of a military career which companies. The Duke retired from this bun……..Took the Duchess to dine at the lasted over 20 years. At Sandhurst he role in 2001, but still retains an interest Ivy, and then on to the Palladium for the won the Sir James Moncrieff Grierson in British business at home and overseas. The Newsletter Of The Noël Coward Society October 2005 He is a patron of many charities and and President-in-Chief of the British Trustee of The Noël Coward organisations ranging from the British Racing Drivers' Club. The Duke's sport- Foundation, had the honour of meeting Computer Society to the Leukaemia ing interests include skiing, flying and The Duke of Kent at a dinner in St. Research Fund. He is President of the tennis. At Eton he enjoyed rowing and in Petersburg and recalled hearing him Commonwealth War Graves Switzerland he captained his regimental speak warmly of Noël and his friendship Commission, the RAF Benevolent Fund, ski team in the Army championships. with the family. the Royal National Lifeboat Institution Most significantly our President is a Thus it was that Robert Gardiner and the Stroke Association. He is Grand lover of opera and the theatre. Members suggested that the Committee might Master of the United Grand Lodge of were delighted to see him at Pizza-on- invite His Royal Highness to become Freemasons of England. the-Park in May, with his sister, Princess our president. The Duke is Patron of the London Alexandra, enjoying a performance of We are delighted that he has accept- Philharmonic Orchestra, the Trinity Gershwin and Coward music given by ed. College of Music and the Hanover Band. Ruth Leon, Michael Law and our Vice Barbara Longford He is President of the Wimbledon All President, Sheridan Morley. Robert England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club Gardiner, Committee member and a Future Definite? – a Celebration of the work of Noël Coward St. Catherine’s College, Oxford Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd September, 2006 “And that sweet city with her dreaming spires, She needs not June for beauty’s heightening……

Do join us next September in the visit. They will receive a warm wel- ‘definite’. beautiful and unique city of Oxford at a come from all the UK members, nine- There are other exciting sessions weekend for members to share their love teen of whom will be in New York this under discussion for the weekend, but of Noël Coward’s work and gain inspira- December, for the flower-laying at the before we can go any further with our tion from the words of some notable Gershwin Theatre. plans we do need a firm commitment experts on Coward. Other eminent This conference aims to be fun; we from our members. speakers, whose own work may have hope to make it an occasion that Noël Only with an expression of your sup- been influenced by The Master, are also himself would have enjoyed. For exam- port, will we have the confidence to being invited. ple, after tea and before cocktails on approach potential sponsors of the week- Vice President, Stephen Fry, will be Saturday, there will be a guided literary end for help with funding for the stu- addressing us during the weekend as will walking tour of Oxford, followed by a dents, and for a modest honorarium for Barry Day, from New York. They have black tie dinner, and cabaret. our outside guest speakers and their both expressed their keen enthusiasm There will be a ‘Parkinson type’ of expenses. and willingness to participate – other chat show session, where members will St. Catherine’s became a college in professional commitments permitting. be invited to reminisce about Coward. 1963. It is now one of the largest col- Marcy Kahan has an intriguing ses- This will be hosted by Alan Farley who leges in Oxford and was built between sion in store for us, as does musical has presented a radio programme about 1960-64 on flat meadowland near the director, Jeremy Sams and our own Coward for many years in San Cherwell, to the designs of Arne Coward musicologist Dominic Vlasto, Francisco. John Knowles will be pre- Jacobsen, the Danish architect deeply on the music of Coward. senting an edited version of Coward’s influenced by the masters of the This is the first time our Society has home movies that include informal ‘International Modern’ style, especially organised such an event, but before we shots of his friends at Goldenhurst and Mies van der Rohe. Jacobsen also laid came into being, in 1999, the centenary on board ship, including Tallulah out the gardens and designed much of year, a conference was held at Bankhead and Charles Cochrane, the the furniture, including even the cutlery Birmingham University, which resulted only known footage of Coward’s mother used at High Table. in the publication, by Methuen, of Look and father, off and on stage scenes from When the students are away, this Back in Pleasure - Noël Coward Words & Music and Noël’s personal comparatively young college tries to sup- Reconsidered (ISBN number O 413 cine travelogue of his trips across the plement its income, by hosting confer- 75500 2). globe. ences. It is ideally suited to our purpose, With the re-naming of The Noël Our own Coward book shop will be as all the rooms have en suite facilities, Coward Theatre in the West End next open throughout the weekend with the campus is large, with a water garden year and the production of ‘Hay Fever’ reduced prices on new books as well as and a central circular lawn all adding to starring Dame , this seems an archived books and recordings from the a feeling of space and freedom. appropriate moment to provide a forum Old London Office of Noël Coward. Unusually, for Oxford – which still for the Society to take a contemplative We are inviting a group of students retains its medieval street pattern intact – look at Coward’s phenomenal contribu- drawn from the likes of RADA, the there is parking space at St. Catherine’s. tion to the worlds of music and theatre. National Youth Theatre and LAMDA, to Yet, it is just a five-minute walk to the We are hoping that some of our be our guests at the conference and to High Street, or “High” - the heart of the members from the USA and around the participate in a Masterclass session and city, where there are several historic world, in particular, will be tempted to play-readings. In this way we hope to hostelries for those wanting a nightcap or make this conference the reason for a make the future of Coward’s work a two after dinner.

Page 2 The Newsletter Of The Noël Coward Society October 2005 The conference fee provides access ten of these which have to be kept for Conference price, which includes single to all sessions, activities and conference speakers and students and so we are ensuite accommodation for two nights; rooms and offers the following compre- looking for 40 members to express their all meals: two waiter-served lunches and hensive accommodation package: firm support at this stage. dinners, two breakfasts, two morning If you are interested, please be kind coffees and afternoon teas; a full pro- Friday: afternoon tea, dinner, enough to complete the expression of gramme of stimulating speakers on overnight accommodation in a single interest form, included in the magazine Coward; a walking-tour of Oxford; a room with en-suite facilities/tea and cof- and send it to me to arrive by Friday Saturday night cabaret; finally, the fee making. 28th October. chance to meet fellow-members of the Barbara Longford. Society in a relaxed setting. Indeed, if Saturday: Full English breakfast, morn- you cut out a mere ONE cappuccino ing coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner “To Conference Or Not To Conference” from your daily routine (eg. Starbucks – (black tie, with cabaret), accommodation one tall cappuccino = £1.85) for the next as above. For those of you hesitating to sign up for four months, you will have all the funds the Conference Marcy Kahan addresses you need. Sunday: Full English breakfast, morn- any reservations you may have... Too claustrophobic! “I won’t know ing coffee, lunch. anyone; a week-end mixing with (Lunches and dinners are waiter served.) Too academic! “I would get bored strangers is my idea of hell.” You will listening for hours to a lot of impenetra- have one massively terrific conversation- To ensure that we can approach our ble theorising.” Although the setting is al topic in common with everyone at the sponsors with confidence we need an an Oxford college, the tone and content conference: the life and work of Noel expression of your interest now. of the presentations will not be narrowly Coward. You can listen to the speakers, We anticipate that the cost, per mem- academic. The Conference Committee is attend the cabaret, retreat to your room, ber, including everything listed above composing a roster of speakers who are take a stroll in the town; there will be no (not including drinks, other than teas and notable for their lively minds and gifts as intolerable “shipboard social agenda” coffees) will be between £200 and £240. communicators – playwrights, actors, forcing you to participate. The atmos- We shall keep the figure as low as we directors, biographers, and passionate phere will be relentlessly urbane. can. There will be one or two double enthusiasts. I hope I’ve convinced you to join us. rooms, with en suite, included in our Too expensive! “I can’t afford a cou- Only a maximum of 50 places available. allocation of 40 rooms and the cost for ple of hundred pounds for a week-end A not-to-be-missed chance to take a the additional person in a double room away.” Consider the best price of a more reflective, in-depth look at Noel. will be £120 approx, to include every- night’s stay in an average UK hotel: £70 Marcy Kahan thing listed above. per person, double room, including We have reserved 50 en suite rooms, breakfast and dinner. Then consider our

Sir Noël Coward remembered on the Avenue of Stars at Covent Garden A ceremony, to honour one hundred The first silver stars were placed out- and today are: celebrities took place in Covent Garden side St Paul's, The Actors' Church, in Alan Bennett Trevor MacDonald on Sunday 18th September, 2005. Covent Garden, where many celebrities The Sex Pistols Judi Dench were invited to attend the launch, and Margot Fonteyn also to perform on a live television pro- Peter Ustinov gramme. Tom Jones Peggy Ashcroft The first 18 recipients include Sir Lenny Henry Charles Laughton , Sir , Bob Geldof David Niven Sir , but also Nicole Cary Grant Kidman, who unveiled her Hollywood Peter O'Toole Arthur Lowe star in 2003. Alan Bates Dirk Bogarde Edna Everage, one of the star recipi- Tony Hancock ents said it was one of her “favorite Richard Burton Frankie Howerd places in little old London” and that she Ken Branagh hoped to be “laid between Ian McKellen and ”. Michael Gambon Peter Cook Sir Noël Coward will be amongst the Errol Flynn Benny Hill first 48 stars to be placed in the famous Paul Eddington Eric & old wholesale vegetable and flower mar- Les Dawson Ernie Wise ket now the centre of a thriving general Bob Hope Thora Hird market noted for its craft stalls, cafés, Gracie Fields John Mills theatre life and buskers. Edith Evans Noel Coward Others to be included in this first Stan Laurel Nicole Kidman, unveiling her dedication of what will eventually be a Alicia Markova and Hollywood star in 2003 remembrance of 100 stars of yesterday. Leonard Rossiter

Page 3 The Newsletter Of The Noël Coward Society October 2005 MEMBERSHIP and EARLY IDEAS FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS... 2005 has been an excellent year for teen of us are off to New York on 9th should like to rectify. We should then Noël Coward and for the Society. December for all the festivities there. have more money to expand our activi- We’ve had the wonderful news about Our plans for 2006 are also most ties. The Noël Coward Theatre in the West exciting. End and that Dame Judi Dench is going Our irreplaceable North American Christmas Present to star in Hay Fever, directed by Sir Director – Ken Starrett – has organised Please help us by trying to recruit a Peter Hall next year. The Society is some highly successful events in the US friend or colleague. Why not ‘gift’ a planning to be fully involved in these during the year. year’s membership to a friend as a two exciting events and we shall keep I am sure you would all wish to join Christmas present at the special rate of you posted about the arrangements we me in thanking the Editor of this maga- £20 ($28) for 2006 only. Pay by cheque are making for members’ participation. zine - John Knowles - for producing six (UK only) or send credit/debit card Blithe Spirit had a very good run at editions each year of the highly details to Stephen Greenman for the UK The Savoy Theatre and Relative Values acclaimed Newsletter and also for his and Ken Starrett for the US. For the UK did extremely well in Salisbury. On the control of the website. Everything cheques should be made payable to The NCS front, Celia Cologne arranged an achieved by your Society is done by Noël Coward Society, and sent to Stephen Greenman. Please send the event for us in the Noël Coward Suite at unpaid volunteers. name and address of the person to whom the Hampton Hill Playhouse, when With so much on offer, it would be you wish to send the gift to either Moira Lister’s dress was presented to so good to recruit more Members. We Stephen or Ken. them. We had a successful event in the simply cannot spend our valuable Early in December a Members’ join- West End, viewing the film ‘The resources on advertising and so we do ing pack, together with a Noël Coward Scoundrel’, when we welcomed Stephen need your help. If every Member Christmas card will be sent to your Fry as our Vice President. Geoffrey recruited just one other person, our friend ‘from you’.Contact details for Skinner is planning a wonderful day for Membership would be very healthy. At Stephen Greenman and Ken Starrett can us on 17th December, our AGM, flower- present, we have many less members be found on page 8. laying, and lunch at The Ivy and nine- than the Sondheim Society, which we Barbara Longford

... AND NOËL’S CHRISTMAS CARDS TO GO WITH THEM? Each Christmas Noël sent his friends Stephen. Some include quotations and a a card from Les Avants featuring his photograph inside - see card details greatest invention - himself! NC below each picture. Aventales AG (the Noël Coward Estate) Please indicate the number of copies have given us permission to reprint two of each card you wish to purchase and of the best known cards (A & D) plus a send a cheque for the total made out to further two designed by Stephen The Noël Coward Society or credit card Greenman. These unique cards are avail- details to Stephen’s address immediately able at a cost of £1 each and may be above this article in column 3. ordered in any amount directly from D - Coward with paintbrush

A - Coward by the lake at Les Avants B - Has a photograph and a quotation inside C- Has the word Noël! inside

Page 4 The Newsletter Of The Noël Coward Society October 2005

- the Editor on the ‘heritage’ of André Charlot Conversation Pieces longer and Lathom might have recouped all his investment, but Charlot had, alas, sub-let the theatre and so the show came of, in a grim foreshadowing of a debacle which, four years later, set his career reeling out of control. A- Z goes to America in 1923 As if to prove that A to Z, which he Gertrude Lawrence, André Charlot, Bea Lillie and Jack Buchanan said marked a high point in his life, could be bettered, in December 1922 If the price for the popularisation of a theatrical flourish at the end of a Music Lathom invited Charlot to Davos, history, whatever my problem with the Hall bill. In some theatres in the US it Switzerland, where Noël Coward was word, is to call it ‘heritage,’ it may be a became an extension of burlesque. More also his guest at the Hotel Belvedere. (In price worth paying by encouraging the successfully and significantly it was a later memoir, Coward revised the Government to put money (even if it is adapted by Florenz Ziegfeld who took emphasis, claiming that Lathom had National Lottery money) into history the ultra-glamorous evocation of the “commanded” Charlot's presence.) The projects and to encourage the beneficiar- genre seen at the ‘Folies Bergere’ (where idea was to show Charlot what a genius ies to display the results during National Charlot was the manager for a year prior Coward had become. Heritage Weekend events across the UK to coming to London to manage the In the hotel's ballroom late one during the nearest weekend to the 9th 3,000 seat Alahambra ) to cre- evening, Coward played and sang Sept each year. ate the famous ‘Follies’ shows that dom- “Parisian Pierrot” and other songs for For those living outside the UK I inated Broadway from 1907 onwards. It the first time in public. This was pleas- should pause and explain that this annual was but a small jump to take this suc- ing to Charlot, who tried never to put a historical bash provides a chance for cessful mix of music and sketches, add a song in any show unless he had heard it every stately home, museum and local ‘book,’ and produce what became the performed by its composer. He later history society worth its salt, plus hun- Broadway Musical. wrote that Coward had “persuaded me dreds of Lottery funded heritage proj- The book gives further credence to of his greatness.” He was not quite so ects, to dust off their artefacts and put on claims of Charlot’s ‘discovery’ of Noël effusive about Coward's sketches - which a show! Coward, Bea Lillie, Gertrude Lawrence, he did not allow the author to read to For me this year it meant another Jack Buchanan and Jessie Matthews and him. Reading them over in his room, he visit to Lathom, Lancashire to share describes involvement in the early career quite liked the “telephone sketch” (this research about Lord Ned Lathom and his of Gladys Cooper – all of which was was later “Early Mourning,” a tour de relationship with Noël Coward, Ivor financed by Ned Lathom’s money. force performed by Gertrude Lawrence) Novello, Gertie Lawrence and Gladys Coward’s first participation in revue but thought the rest “stank to high heav- Cooper - and to enjoy a day out at proper was in Charlot’s London Calling en.” Pilkington’s Glass Laboratories where which followed his first major success What happened the day after the whole of West Lancashire seemed to A to Z, a revue so named because it had Coward's “audition” is recalled quite have turned out determined to meet the 26 parts. The book takes us from this differently by its major players. Charlot experts and dig at their ancestral roots! success to London Calling: claimed that he had told Coward he In preparation for this indulgence I “Meeting at Lathom's country house wanted to use some of his material but read a new book that was finally pub- in Lancashire, Charlot and Lathom added a suggestion that Noël do what lished in August after the sad death of its decided that the A - Z would be written George M. Cohan did - write, produce, author James Ross Moore. It is entitled by three emerging writing stars: Ivor and star in a whole show of his own. André Charlot – the Genius of Intimate Novello, Ronald Jeans and the Here, wrote Charlot later, “Coward Musical Revue (McFarland & Co - Australian Dion Titheradge. As the revealed his lack of confidence - no use ISBN0-7864-1774-9). revue's preparation proceeded apace, arguing, he must have some help.” So, It is the first detailed biography of Charlot learned that Lathom “wanted according to Charlot, it was Coward's Charlot to have been written and is everything on an impossibly magnificent idea to collaborate. based on the collection of personal scale.” The gowns, the first London Coward eventually contradicted this papers and memorabilia carefully cher- effort of Jean Patou, another of interpretation. He recalled that Charlot ished by his daughter, Joan Charlot Charlot's importations, cost £10 apiece, was “expansive and benign” and that “a Midwinter (from Pacific Palisades, a staggering figure for the time. Charlot series of cigar-laden conferences” fol- California) for four decades in the belief tried - or swore that he tried - to put the lowed. He worked on the sketches in the that someday a biographer would come brakes on Lathom's spending, but to lit- morning and submitted them to Lathom along - thank goodness he did! tle avail. As it turned out, A to Z was a and Charlot in the afternoons. Charlot was arguably the creator of major artistic success, running 52 Within a few days the whole show the British, and perhaps the American, weeks. Although it never recouped its was roughly laid out. Thus was born Revue. A theatrical form that grew from investment (Lathom lost £15,000), his ‘London Calling’ (its title the daily com- French revue (meaning literally; maga- Lordship said it had been worth It - he ing-on-air announcement on the BBC).” zine) and was, at least in the UK, seen as had got twice that value in the fun he had. In fact, the show could have run John Knowles Page 5 The Newsletter Of The Noël Coward Society October 2005

A letter and unpublished Poem by Noël Coward provided by Barry Day who is currently STOPOVER editing a book of Sir Noël Coward’s letters During the war Noël traveled many thousands of miles Thanks for all the work you did over the `Portrait’. Do try giving troop concerts, visiting war zones ... Australia, New to send an occasional line to us - you know, even a comic Zealand, the Middle East, South Africa, Burma - not to men- postcard from Sarfend (Southend) -’Wish you were here’ tion the then neutral USA. Wherever he went, making would be better than nothing. speeches and “singing my little songs”, he carried the news of how those at home were fighting on the home front. A cool Christmas in Fiji - only 85° as I write at noon - sit- On the way home from Australasia in March 1941 he ting in the same chair you did and can look up and see your made what was intended as a brief stopover at Canton Island old photo on the wall - as you did - remember???” in the Pacific. It was a tiny rocky atoll that was the only point for the Pan-American clipper to break its journey and refuel By this time Frank was dying of tuberculosis but his family and in Future Indefinite Noël describes how what was intend- remember that Noël went out of his way on a South Seas trip he ed as a short and welcome break was forcibly extended over made with Graham and Coley to visit him at Tumavua Hospital. several days by bad weather. In his diary Frank records that they enjoyed a “freeranging con- He was immediately struck by the contrast between versation that lasted hours and covered a great many topics”. A American and British lifestyle expectations. The two main photograph (now lost) was taken of the two of them standing buildings on the island were a typical American luxury hotel . outside the front door of the hospital to commemorate the occa- . . “run by a young American couple called Jack and Lordee sion. Bramham” and, a hundred or so yards away, the British During his stay on Canton Island, Noël - never one to be Residency, occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fleming. Frank creatively idle - busied himself writing verse. In his Collected “had built the house ... virtually with his own hands. He Verse are examples such as “Canton Island”, “Onward, raised the Union Jack solemnly every morning and lowered it Christian Soldiers”, “Open Letter to a Mayor” and “Sonnet to a every night.” Hermit Crab.” Noël was upset to see that the only photograph of the But there was one more personal message that went unpub- King and Queen they had in the residence was “a framed lished. It was in the form of a thank you letter to his hosts, the reproduction from The Illustrated London News, which was Bramhams - buckled, because the rain-water got into the frame during the last cyclone.” He undertook to obtain a better one for them BREAD AND BUTTER LETTER (March 16th 1941) on his return to London and did so by asking the Queen per- Dear Lordee, Dear Jack, How delightful it’s been sonally. The photo was duly sent but Noël added in Future To have stayed in this lovely hotel. Indefinite - “I don’t know if they ever received it.” The food was delicious. God, what a ‘cuisine’! He later used the Flemings in a short story called “Mr. (The drink was delicious as well.) and Mrs. Edghill” and he never forgot them. Nor they him. The beds were so soft and the weather so fine, Years later Frank Fleming wrote to him to reassure him The water so fresh in the showers, on that score .. . The service indeed was completely divine. I could go on about it for hours. “I wish you to know that Lucy and I think and talk of you And as for those wonderful movies we saw frequently - that your photograph is peering down at me (You didn’t because you were busy now as I write this ... we are naive enough to imagine you Remember you left us just outside the door, may sometimes give us a thought.” Complaining you felt a bit dizzy?) And as for the time when the plane was delayed, And in 1963 from Suva, Fiji, where they were now living ... What fun we all had with the Flight-Crew. I’m glad that they only drank iced lemonade. “The Portrait arrived ... we have acknowledged it, as you For Clippers can’t fly with a tight crew. advised ... with what we hope is a correct and seemly let- I’ll always look back on those halcyon days ter of thanks but, confidentially, I found it necessary to And a sigh of regret I shall utter put a brake on on my long cherished desire to say some- When I think of the many and various ways thing which would not, perhaps, be quite correct. You managed to flavour the butter! You see, many years ago, I was one of a small body of Dear Lordee, Dear Jack, when I get to New York ‘Returned Sailors and Soldiers’, as we were called, who I’ll discuss the whole thing with Ward Morehouse, formed a guard of honour on the jetty when she arrived. For the Waldorf, in spite of the way people talk, As the Duchess (of York, as she then was) passed me, I Compared with this place is a whorehouse. caught the full glance of her beautiful eyes and have been So thank you, dear Lordee, and thank you, dear Jack her devoted admirer ever since. (This is what I was tempt- With my head and my heart and soul. ed to say but dared not.) This is but ‘Au Revoir’, for I’m bound to come back.

I have felt the urge to write to you sometimes since you Your affectionate ‘stop over’ - Noël were here but - for one thing - I knew you were more- than-usually busy at that time ...

Page 6 The Newsletter Of The Noël Coward Society October 2005 I’ll See You Again and World Weary Coward’s last British recordings and the songs of Coward sung by Harry Noble At the discounted price of £8.99 for NCS members The long-awaited release of this CD African audiences were sponsored by the Noël Coward Estate, the first to hear the members of the Society and friends and songs ‘Uncle Harry’ their families takes place on October 1st, and ‘Nina’, and the 2005. To obtain your discounted copy first recordings of please contact Adrian Wright whose con- these songs were made tact details can be found at the end of with Norman this article. Hackforth a month or Thanks go to John Knowles who first two later in Calcutta. suggested producing the CD after he And in 1951 it accidentally found the original record- was Norman ings and who worked to secure sponsor- Hackforth, then accom- ship for the project. To Adrian Wright of panying Beatrice Lillie Must Close Saturday Records for his in cabaret at the Café make a notable career as composer and consistent commitment to the project, de Paris, who negotiated Coward’s first arranger for film and television in ensuring the highest quality sound engagement there that autumn. It was America. Anyone conversant with the restoration and record production and for immediately apparent that Coward’s solo Las Vegas recordings may find some of producing the CD at such an amazingly performances of his own songs set a these 1954 tracks sounding vaguely low price. This low price plus the dis- standard which few artists could hope to familiar: It becomes clear that signifi- count to members was only made possi- rival - though there was some criticism cant elements of Stott’s arrangements ble through the generous sponsorship of his vocal expertise. One reviewer were re-used by Peter Matz, something provided by the Noël Coward Estate and opined that he “massacred” his own particularly noticeable in the more lyri- the encouragement and enthusiasm songs, to which Coward replied that, if cal numbers such as ‘A Room With a shown by Alan Brodie of Alan Brodie this was true, “it was the most tri- View’ and ‘World Weary’. Hackforth’s Representation. Lastly very special umphantly efficient massacre since Saint piano accompaniment is often allowed thanks to Dominic Vlasto whose com- Bartholomew’s Eve.” to take over, including for large sections prehensive recording notes provide a These recordings - the last Coward of the comedy songs ‘Mrs Worthington’ fascinating and detailed journey through ever undertook in the UK - were made and ‘Mad Dogs’, and for the entire cen- Noël Coward’s career in the early 1950s in 1954, just after After The Ball and not tral verse sections of the songs ‘Poor and reveal the hard won results of Alan long before the fourth Café de Paris sea- Little Rich Girl’ and ‘A Room With a Farley and Dominic’s research into the son, and it is no surprise to find that View’. In ‘I’ll See You Again’ (from largely forgotten world of Harry Noble. Norman Hackforth is there as accompa- Bitter Sweet), the whole verse section - nist, though this was never acknowl- the “duet” between teacher and pupil - Dominic Vlasto introduces this exciting edged on the original LP. Indeed, it is becomes a vocal/piano duet. new Coward compilation: doubtful whether this LP made much Meanwhile, at almost exactly the This CD is a sort of Golden Jubilee impact at all; perhaps it was a bit slow same time in New York, the singer/actor celebration of the immediate post-war in coming out and then suffered in com- Harry Noble, with his accompanist decade, a time when Coward’s output of petition with the following year’s release Stuart Ross, was the first artist other new dramatic work seemed to lose popu- of the LP made from the Las Vegas per- than Coward himself to attempt an entire lar appeal, and when his polymathic tal- formances, failing to compete with the LP of Coward songs. For some years ents led to his emergence, “to my own vigour and vim of live audience reac- Noble was half of a vaudeville team and everyone else’s astonishment”, as a tion, increased tempi and more “zappy” with Frances King, who later married highly successful cabaret entertainer. arrangements. It is certainly true that the well-known composer-lyricist Sam This element of his formidable achieve- the tracks remained unknown and unac- Coslow and retired. Noble and King ments had been honed and tested during knowledged, even to specialists in the had played the top hotels in London, the war years when he undertook count- field, until extremely recently. New York, Florida and elsewhere, and in less troop concerts, for many of which Here we hear Coward at an interest- the early 1950s were part of the regular he was accompanied by Norman ing stage, with the polish of three sea- cast of Tony Hancock’s radio shows Hackforth. During 1944 they undertook sons performing at the Café under his Happy Go Lucky a marathon series of fund-raising con- belt, and with the comfort of his most It is clear that Noble knew the certs in South Africa, followed by some experienced accompanist, but with new Coward repertoire better than most. He weeks of troop concerts in Burma, orchestrations, this time by Wally Stott, includes three songs in particular which Assam and Ceylon, through the thick of musical director of the newly-launched do not often feature in Coward compila- the monsoon and sometimes almost Philips Records company. Stott, as tions: ‘Imagine The Duchess’s Feelings’ under fire near the front line. South Angela Morley, was subsequently to (1941) is a concise comedy song of

Page 7 The Newsletter Of The Noël Coward Society October 2005 pleasing phrases, whose three refrains make a nice conceit of The Noel Coward & Harry Noble recordings the words ‘white’, ‘blue’ and ‘red’; the central verse section CD MCSR 3030 of ‘Something To Do With Spring’ (originally sung by John Mills in the 1932 revue Words And Music) is a clever and I'LL SEE YOU AGAIN complex piece of lyric /rhythmic interchange writing, where Sung by Noel Coward with Wally Stott and his Orchestra the accompaniment dovetails with and occasionally takes Norman Hackforth at the piano over the melodic continuity from the singer; and it is hard to square the effective romantic lyricism of ‘Where Are The 1. A room with a view 3.28 Songs We Sung?’ with its original setting (in Operette, 2. Don't put your daughter on the stage, Mrs Worthington 2.09 1938), where at the end of the song the boy kisses and holds 3. World weary 2.51 the girl in his arms for a moment, before she gives a little 4. Alice 3.21 laugh and disengages herself, saying: “Darling, this is all 5. Someday I'll find you 2.27 very silly and the soup’s getting cold!” 6. Mad dogs and Englishmen 2.43 Noble sings very tunefully and clearly, and for the most 7. Poor little rich girl 2.59 part paces the songs well. For two of the earliest - ‘Parisian 8. Uncle Harry 3.53 Pierrot’ (1922) and ‘Poor Little Rich Girl’ (1925) - Noble 9. I'll see you again 3.20 and Ross allow us the rare luxury of two full verse sections in addition to well-judged restlessly rhythmic moods in the WORLD WEARY: The Songs of Noel Coward refrains. There is only one moment of poor judgement - a Sung by Harry Noble with Stuart Ross at the piano downwards change of key into the refrain of ‘A Room With A View’, which to my mind leaves Harry Noble in an 10. Nina 4.51 uncomfortably low register for his own voice. 11. I'll follow my secret heart 4.09 It felt like a great honour to be asked to write the sleeve 12. Imagine the duchess's feelings 2.44 notes for this CD, and its production has been very much 13. Poor little rich girl 4.52 helped and encouraged by support from NCS and the 14. Something to do with spring 2.24 Coward Estate (a BIG thank-you to Graham Payn!). It 15. Parisian pierrot 4.03 would make an excellent Christmas present for members to 16. Where are the songs we sung? 2.52 give to all their nearest and dearest, and I hope that you will 17. A room with a view 3.28 all rush out and buy multiple copies of it! 18. World weary 3.19

To contact: Adrian Wright at MCSR please write to: Must Close Saturday Records 56 The Street, Poringland, Norwich, Norfolk, NR14 7JT, UK or email to: [email protected] or ring 01508 494371 or buy on-line at: http://www.must-close-saturday-records.co.uk To be sure of your discount please state that you are a member of the Society when placing your order. WHAT A SITE! NOËL COWARD The Noël Coward Society website BIRTHDAY WALK progresses and sees two major develop- Formembership all UK membership matters ments in the run-up to Christmas. The please contact: IN TEDDINGTON long awaited NCMI will appear in full Stephen Greenman at: Friday 16 December 2005 (access free to members) and new devel- The Noël Coward Society opment software means that the website 64 Morant Street The Hampton Hill Theatre at will be able to enhance the quality of its London Teddington will be holding its annual archive offerings with more video clips, E14 8EL Noël Coward Birthday Walk on Friday pictures and information about The 16th December, 10.30am for 10.45am. Master. email: The walk is 2.3 miles long and takes In addition we are negotiating to pro- [email protected] the route to Noël’s birthplace in vide some short audio clips from previ- Waldegrave Road and into the High ously unheard private recordings. For North American membership Street to the Landmark Arts Centre (St. As part of next year’s membership please contact: Alban’s Church) - where Noël’s mother we are looking at the possibility of pro- Ken Starrett at: Violet Veitch met his father Athur viding a free DVD on Coward to mem- 49 West 68th Street Coward during choir rehearsals! bers that will contain edited extracts Apartment 1R Then on to Bushy Park and to the from Coward’s own home movies linked New York Hampton Hill Playhouse for a compli- by commentary to reveal more about NY 10023 mentary glass of sherry. Coward’s associates and his travels This is a free walking tour provided across the globe. We have tracked down email: by NCS member Graham Sawyer who a copy of the original details of the [email protected] has been arranging and conducting these Home Movies revealing some of the tours for several years. Why not turn up names of those that feature on film. and join him? More on this as the project develops...

Page 8 The Newsletter Of The Noël Coward Society October 2005 COWARD THE NOËL COWARD MUSICALINDEX As the NCMI becomes an on-line reality BIRTHDAY Dominic Vlasto brings us some notable extracts from this exciting resource!

CELEBRATIONS about the Bitter Sweet Valse: IN LONDON “The music returns for the final scene, in which Sari is forced to dance with Saturday 17 December 2005 the abominable Captain August, who then gropes her, and from which she is rescued by Carl who up until this point has been busy conducting the orchestra, glancing Do join us for the planned Birthday furiously over his shoulder…” Celebrations in London on Saturday about Bright Was The Day: 17th December at the Theatre Royal “The Diaries entry shows clearly that the lyric came first with this song, Drury Lane and afterwards for our and the music later and only after a struggle. It was worth the struggle.” Annual Lunch at The Ivy restaurant. about Evermore And a Day: Following the disappointment of “A very underrated song, because largely unknown. It would be nice to members of the Society last year at the hear it attempted by real singers.” shortness of the flower-laying ceremony about His Excellency Regrets: in the foyer at the Theatre Royal, Drury “The song is relatively unknown on account of being a difficult piece to Lane we plan to provide a ceremony, perform beyond its original context; I have, however, known one performance in a with drinks, of at least 30 to 40 minutes British Ambassador’s Residence in the Middle East…” in length that is completely free to mem- about I Travel Alone: bers. “…it is an excellent example of a song whose lyric alone, on the page, lacks A major celebrity guest will talk shape and impact, even appears a little trite; but when joined with its melody, it about their work and reflect on their becomes poetry of a high order.” connection with the life and work of Sir about recordings of I Went To a Marvellous Party: Noël Coward. The programme starts at “Bea Lillie’s inimitable added laughs and occasional long drawn-out vowels 11.45 am. are, on the whole, more sympathetic to the song than NC’s own breakneck pacing Flowers will be laid on the statue of and over-accentuated interpretation…” Sir Noël by our guest on behalf of the about I Wish I Wasn’t Quite Such a Big Girl: Society and NC Aventales AG (the Noël “…the refrain at least of this song is a neglected treasure.” Coward Estate). This will be followed about a recording of Poor Little Rich Girl: by drinks in the Foyer Bar. “…it comes with a deft and scintillating swing piano accompaniment by Members and their guests who are Carroll Gibbons of exceptional grace and musical integrity.” attending the Annual Lunch will leave to about A Ribbon In Her Hair: reconvene at The Ivy Restaurant at 1.00 “The song is so little known and of so little direct relevance to anything else pm. The cost of the meal including that there would seen little chance of it now emerging from obscurity; but it would wine/water is £80 per person. certainly be a deserving contender to be rescued and aired.” about The Stingaree: The menu is as follows: “There’s certainly scope for some enterprising musician to include this Cullen Skink piece in any forthcoming recording of ‘The Unknown Music of Noel Coward’.” (classic soup of smoked haddock, leeks about Sweet Day: & potatoes) “Norman Hackforth said: ‘I originally scored ‘Sweet Day’. Vanessa Lee Pot-roast Partridge with would never have sung it in the published key of B flat – she would have been under Savoy cabbage, bread sauce, parsnip the piano!’” chips and a game jus about Tamarisk Town: Mulled Winter Fruits “Though undeniably on the “slight” side, this composition has an idiosyn- with a pear sorbet cracy of invention which makes it stand out both from NC’s own other early work Full Roast Coffee, Fauchon Teas and and also from other people’s work of the same period.” Petit Fours about Fumfumbolo: “…one of the Samolan words sung by the chorus, ‘klabonga’, means some- If you wish to come to either part of the thing to do with copulation [ref. Cole Lesley, p.242]. It would be fascinating to have Birthday Celebrations please complete a complete translation of these song lyrics.” the accompanying booking slip and about an Lp recording made by June Bronhill and Dennis Olsen: return it to Geoffrey Skinner : “June Bronhill is, I am afraid, too warbly in her vocal style, and a bit too belting in her delivery, for all contexts; but at its best this Lp, which was mixed with Geoffrey Skinner numbers by Ivor Novello, contains worthwhile interpretations and some notable Samuel French Theatre Bookshop recorded rarities.” 52, Fitzroy Street about the Lp ‘Noel Coward in New York’: London “These are probably the best recordings NC ever made, both in terms of the W1T 5JR quality of recorded sound as well as the timbre, tuning and control of his own voice.” We look forward to seing you there!

Page 9 The Newsletter Of The Noël Coward Society October 2005 Thanks to Ken Starrett and Chicago TONIGHT AT 8:30 AT THE PEARL THEATRE Member Jeff Bierig for the following cast Ken Starrett reviews... list and review of Circle Theatre's revival Noël Coward noted that the one-act play ... “having a great advantage over a of ‘Design for Living.’ long one in that it can sustain a mood without technical creaking or overpadding, deserves a better fate, and if by careful writing, acting and producing I can do a little towards reinstating it in its rightful pride, I shall have achieved one of my more sen- CHICAGO SUN-TIMES timental ambitions.” His achievement of nine one-act plays under the title Tonight www.suntimes.com at 8:30 would seem to have more than fulfilled his ambition. The Pearl Theatre in New York is a highly acclaimed classical repertory compa- Circle draws Coward's ny which offers a wide range of plays by such authors as Shaw, Moliere, Ibsen, Sheridan and Euripides. Seen during their season in 2001 was a delightful produc- ‘Design’September to perfection16, 2005 tion of Coward’s Blithe Spirit. As a fund-raising event for their 22nd season open- by Hedy Weiss Theater Critic ing in September, the decision was made to stage concert versions of all nine one- act plays in the Tonight at 8:30 collection. They were presented in groups of three To get straight to the point: Circle plays each on three successive Mondays beginning August 15th. The plays were Theatre's revival of Design for Living the grouped as they were originally presented in 1936. Noel Coward classic about the ups and This event was attended by many Society members and was a good chance to downs of the bohemian life, and all mat- become acquainted with all nine plays, many of which are rarely presented. ters regarding love, art, success, failure, With no real production values, aided by minimal staging and only piano accom- sexual promiscuity, friendship and moral- paniment, the plays were allowed to stand by themselves. As this project was not in ity is sensational on every level. And to any way conceived to be a star vehicle, each member of the company was seen in a be completely frank: I never expected it variety of roles. Excellent performances by this talented ensemble proved to many could be so good. surprised members of the audience how wonderfully entertaining these plays can be. Getting Coward right capturing that At a reception following the final performance, the audience was able to meet and special mix of brittle crispness and sup- chat with members of the cast. pressed pain, and making the brilliance and speed of the badinage simultaneous- ly clear, meaningful and fun is something that can elude even the most practiced actors and directors. Yet in this Forest Park storefront a place that is frequently full of surprises director Jim Schneider (whose extensive credits include work both in Houston and Chicago) has assembled a bristling young cast that “gets it” on every count. Not only do they execute Coward's devilishly difficult dialogue and decadent “high life” style with supreme flair, but in the process they deliver a potent reminder of just how delicious, wise, caustic and modern he could be.

CAST Gilda – Simone Roos Otto – P.J. Schoeny Leo – Bradford R. Lund THE PEARL THEATRE COMPANY Ernest – Peter Esposito The full company in a reading of Coward's FAMILY ALBUM at The Pearl Theatre. Miss Hodge – Patti Roeder Spencer Robinson, Rachel Botchan, Russ Anderson, Carol Schultz, Dan Daily, Robin Mr. Birbeck – Eric Lindhal Leslie Brown, Joanne Camp, Dominic Cuskern, Edward Seaman Grace Torrence – Carry Wickert Photo by Matthew Shane Coleman Helen Carver – Robyn Acetta Henry Carver – Scott Strangland BOOKS FOR They include: Matthew - Larry Johnson NEW YORK? The British on Broadway (ISBN 0- For those UK members travelling to 9531930-1-2) and A Theatrical Feast in Sets by Bob Knuth New York it is worth considering what New York (ISBN 0-7509-3719-X) Costumes by Elizabeth P. Shaffer pre-reading one might wish to do. Elizabeth’s latest book is a novel Directed by Jim Schneider - Amongst the variety of travelogues, city entitled The Best Actress (ISBN 0- (Noël Coward Society member) guides and general background reading 9531930-3-9) ‘...an irresistable feast of one might wish to take in the books by food, fabulous people and favourite © The Sun-Times Company NCS member Elizabeth Sharland. places...’ Page 10 The Newsletter Of The Noël Coward Society October 2005

A COWARD CHRONOLOGY This is the second part of the Coward Chronology that we published in the last edition of Home Chat. It did not in fact come from the old London Office but is a printout of a detailed chronology up to 1952 found on the Internet at one point and printed for use in the office. 1947 Played Gary Essendine in Revival of Present Laughter (Theatre Royal Haymarket, London) Point Valaine produced in London Directed revival of Tonight at 8:30 (US tour) Thanks to Margot Peters, Barry Day and my Unproduced play: Long Island Sound own re-reading of the two biographies of the Lunts the puzzle over this picture is solved! 1948 Margot Peters wrote: Bessie Porter was Lynn's Briefly took over male leads in US Tour of Tonight at 8:30 (San Francisco) London dresser for many years. See index in my Directed revival of Tonight at 8:30 on Broadway (National, NY - 26 perfs) biography of the Lunts, Design for Living. Played Max Aramont in Joyeux Chagrins, a.k.a. Present Laughter Barry Day added: Sally Ann Howes solved it (Brussels) for me. “Bessie” was a Cockney dresser for Lynn Private Lives revived on Broadway (Plymouth, NY - 248 perfs) Fontanne in the 1930s ( Design For Living etc.) when the group picture was taken. Her name was 1949 Bessie Porter and she later became Sally Ann's Film: The Astonished Heart dresser. Played Christian Faber in film The Astonished Heart In Design For Living Margot Peters writes: On Unproduced Musical: Hoi Polloi July 17 (1938), the last night (of Amphitryon), Lynn gave Bessie Porter, her dresser, a big tip and 1950 hugged her goodbye (from London). Musical: Wrote and directed Ace of Clubs In the war years: Noël’s studio had taken a hit (Cambridge, London - 211 perfs) (been bombed). Bessie Porter, Lynn’s dresser, wrote (to Lynn Fonatnne) of no coffe, meat or tea, 1951 of truning ragged sheets sides to middle. Living in Cabaret: October engagement at Cafe de Paris (London) a garret flat, and Bessie had gotten “bounced out of Revue: Song for The Lyric Revue (Lyric, London - 141 perfs) bed up to the ceiling by a bomb.” Play: Wrote and directed Relative Values (London) She (Lynne Fontanne) also sent sympathy: Play: Island Fling (Regional, USA) “Just a quick line,” she wrote Bessie Porter, “because I’ve been thinking about your varicose 1952 veins.” In addition she continued to make … Revue: Songs for The Globe Revue (Globe, London - 234 perfs) Bessie weekly allowances of one to three pounds. The Vortex revived in London (Lyric) Lynn…. Told Bessie Porter “I expect to be on Cabaret: June engagement (2nd) at Cafe de Paris (London) the stage until I am ninety.” Check our website for a chronology that covers the period from 1952 Thanks to Margot and Barry for their responses! onwards! APRIL IN PARIS - The latest news on our french excursion! In the December edition of Home Friday 28 April Coward play, performed while we are Chat members will be able to confirm Lunch at Maxims. Champagne recep- there, if so we will try to obtain matinee their interest by sending a deposit for tion followed by 3-course lunch, red and tickets. Dinner will be in a restaurant our planned visit to France to explore all white wines, coffe and petit fours. A followed (hopefully!) by a group singing things Coward en Paris. The outline pianist and singer will entertain with the Coward songs in French. itinerary is as follows. The cost of the songs of Yvonne Printemps, the star of Sunday 30 April package for members and a booking Conversation Piece and a close friend of Leave Paris around noon by 1st Class form will be available in our next Home Noël’s. This will be preceded by a visit Eurostar, which includes lunch and wine. Chat. Members may also arrange their to their Art Nouveau Museum and Arrival at Waterloo will be 3.00 pm own travel and accommodation and still ‘1900’ Collection. (approx). access the planned programme. Saturday 29th April There will be ample time for sight- Thursday 27 April A short walking tour of Place Vendome seeing and Hélène will be on hand to Leave Waterloo by Eurostar around and the surrounding area where Noël advise or guide to places of interest. Noon. Arrive at our Hotel close to the stayed followed by a pre-lunch drink at Gare de Nord. Dinner followed by a talk the Ritz Hotel. The tour will be led by More details next time... on ‘Noël Coward in Paris’ by Marcy Professor Hélène Catsiapis. There may Kahan. also be a French version of a Noël Marcy Kahan and Geoffrey Skinner

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productions across the globe Is What'syour production or event On? shown here...? - If you want your item items to be included here please send us the details. (* denotes Premiere, TBC = To be confirmed, BO = Box Office) Professional companies are shown in blue In the United Kingdom In North America Hands Across The Sea WEST END REVIVAL of HAY FEVER Food for Thought Productions, New York City Starring Judi Dench and directed by Sir Peter Hall. Wed, October 19, 2005, Thur, November 10, 2005 Theatre to be announced. First preview - 6th April 2006; Info & BO: 212/362-2560 Press Night - 19th April 2006. Fallen Angels April to November 2005 - (in repertory) Stratford Festival Theatre - Stratford, Ontario - Canada Fallen Angels Design For Living 25t to 29 Oct - Hen and Chickens Theatre, Highbury & 4 Sep to 23 Oct - Circle Theatre, 7300 (Marengo) W. Madison Islington, London. Tickets £11, concs. £9. BO 020 7704 2001 StreetForest Park, Illinois. (This is a theatre in the suburbs of Blithe Spirit Chicago - the play is being directed by Society member, Jim 3 to 5 Jun 2006 - Mulberry Theatre Co.,Village Hall, Schneider.) Doveridge, Derbyshire Blithe Spirit 27 Oct to 5 Nov - Sutton Arts Theatre, Sutton Coldfield 11 to 20 Nov - Dunnville Community Theatre, Dunnville, 2 to 4 Nov - Reigate ATS, Harlequin Theatre, Redhill, Surrey Ontario 13 to 15 Oct - Sherbert Prod. Charles Cryer Theatre, Oct 21 to 23, 28 to 30, Nov 4 & 5 Fri & Sat at 8 pm, Sun Carshalton, Surrey. Matinees at 2 pm - Town Players of New Canaan Powerhouse 11 to 15 Oct - Sidmouth ADS, Manor Pavilion, Sidmouth Theatre, Waveny Park New Canaan, Connecticut. BO: (203) 26 to 29 Oct - Colwall players, Village Hall Colwell, Worcs. 966-7371 www.tpnc.org Director NCS member, Scott R. Brill. Semi-Monde 9 to 11 Oct - Oundle School. Oundle, , Cambs. Waiting In The Wings 25 Jun to 2 Jul 2006 - New Venture Theatre, Brighton The Comedy of Coward Festival 2005 Hay Fever supported by 28 Nov to 3 Dec - Qu. Elizabeth’s Grammar Schl. Ashbourne The Noël Coward Foundation 27 to 29 Oct - Gosforth ADS, Public hall, Gosforth 7 to 11 Feb 2006 - Exeter Uni. Theatre Co., Northcote SUNDAY 9 OCTOBER 14.00 - 15.30 Theatre, Exeter THE NOËL COWARD COMEDY ROUNDTABLE 31 Oct to 5 Nov - Chipstead players, Courtyard Theatre, 'PLAYING COWARD' Chipstead, Surrey A lively panel discussion chaired by Gyles Brandreth on 13 to 25 May 2006 - Whitefield Garrick Soc. Garrick Theatre, the various experiences of actors and director in playing Whitefield Noël Coward's plays. Guests include : Richard Briers, 20 to 22 Oct - Matchbox Theatre Co., Village Hall, Rainhill, and Thea Sharrock. St. Helens, Merseyside SUNDAY 23 OCTOBER 14.00 - 16.30 Private Lives "NOËL IN LOVE" 7 to 12 Aug 2006 - Dawlish Rep. Co., Shaftesbury Theatre A masterclass led by Christopher Luscombe, a trustee of Dawlish, Devon The Noël Coward Foundation with professional actors Relative Values looking at The Master's views on love, romance and rela- 7 to 18 Jun 2006 - Highbury Theatre Centre, Highbury Little tionships by exploring scenes from the plays of Noël Theatre, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands Coward. 27 to 29 Oct - Orpen Players, Orpen Hall, West Bergholt SUNDAY 6 NOVEMBER 14.00 - 16.30 25 to 26 Nov - Braishfield M&DS, Village Hall, Braishfield TUESDAY 8 NOVEMBER 19.00 - 21.00 The Vortex The Comedy of Coward Festival: 11 to 15 Oct - Huddersfield Thespians, Laurence Bailey "NOËL COWARD FROM A to Z" Theatre, Huddersfield A new musical entertainment devised by Dick Vosburgh Still Life with Denis King and others 22 to 29 Jul 2006 - New Venture Theatre, Brighton, E. Sussex Dick Vosburgh's pocket revue begins alphabetically with This Happy Breed Astaire and ends with 'Ziguener' from Bitter Sweet. 1 to 12 Jun 2006 - New Era Players Theatre, Newbury, BO: 020 7943 4750 Theatre Museum, 1e Tavistock St., London WC2E 7PR

With thanks to Samuel French UK and Canada (Play Publishers and Author's Representatives), Ken Starrett (US), Lisa Foster at Alan Brodie Representation (Professional Productions) and other NCS members. Unless otherwise stated all images and text are copyright to NC Aventales AG (Successor in title to the Estate of the Late Sir Noël Coward). All correspondence should be sent to: The Noël Coward Society, 29 Waldemar Avenue, Hellesdon, Norwich, NR6 6TB, UK email: [email protected] Tel: 01603 486 188

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