Details of some recent and future productions and events Home Chat is the newsletter THE NEWSLETTER OF THE NOËL COWARD SOCIETY - APRIL 2009 WHAT’S ON? see www.noëlcoward.net and www.noëlcoward.com for more. . . of The Noël Coward Society Free wholly owned by to members Noël Coward Ltd. which is of the part of the charitable trust: Society The Noël Coward Foundation. Price £2 ($4)

Officers of the Society are: President: HRH The Duke of Kent, KG, GCMG, GCVO, ADC Chairman: Barbara Longford Vice Presidents: • CBE • Barry Day OBE • Stephen Fry Secretary: Denys Robinson Treasurer: Stephen Greenman North American Director: The Society’s 10th Anniversary Ken Starrett AMERICA ADORES COWARD US West Coast Liaison: n Noël’s ‘Home Sweet Heaven’ he must be adoring the interest and UK Events: Latest News of Kathy Williams activity in the US that is sweeping across the country and the year Representative for Australia: two additional events Robert Wickham ahead. For NCS members an adventure awaits them in the land of the Representative for France: free - from coast to coast. The revival of prompted huge Hélène Catsiapis Iinterest for US members, some 120 attended a special preview Monday 4th May, 2009, supper from 6.p.m. performance 7.45 p.m. Unless otherwise stated all images and text are copyright to NC Aventales AG ‘Standing up for Coward’ All correspondence to: at Pizza-on-the-Park, The Editor, 29 Waldemar Avenue, Hyde Park Corner, Hellesdon, Norwich, by Michael Darvell ON TOUR Announcing Elizabeth Sharland's NR6 6TB, UK , who starred with in The Kneehigh production of Brief Encounter is latest book: [email protected] both in travelling to the following theatres as shown: Passionate Pilgrimages From Chopin to Coward Tel: +44 (0)1603 486 188 London and on Tuesday 7 to Saturday 11 April Elizabeth Sharland will Broadway and with Editors: Maria Aitken in Hay Richmond Theatre BO: 0870 060 6651 be launching her new John Knowles and Ken Starrett www.richmondtheatre.net book in New York with Fever and who is well Design and Production: known for his Tuesday 14 to Saturday 18 April Coward cabaret artist par John Knowles Cardiff, New Theatre BO: (029) 2087 8889 excellence Steve Ross at Publication and Distribution: performances in www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk the Harvard Club on Stephen Greenman (UK) theatre, film and Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 April April 23rd. In London Ken Starrett (US) The Shubert Theatre on Opening Night television, will be Brighton Theatre Royal BO: 08700 606 650 Elizabeth will launch at Music Correspondent: Photo: Richard Holbrook performing his show Dominic Vlasto performance. The opening night performance and party at Sardi’s was www.the ambassadors.com/theatreroyal/ Hatchards on May 12th about Noël Coward in attended by members of the ‘Coward family’ including our own Ken Tuesday 28 April to Saturday 2 May starting at 12.30pm. story and song at the Contributions are invited from Starrett accompanied by our Vice President, Tammy Grimes. cabaret venue Pizza- Coventry Warwick Arts Centre See you there! members of the Society. BO: 024 7652 4524 Ken Starrett reports on the opening and the first night party at Sardi’s. on-the-Park, Hyde The editor reserves the right The eagerly awaited Broadway production of Blithe Spirit opened on Park Corner, London, on Monday 4th May. The www.warwickartscentre.co.uk to edit all copy, images and COWARD AT CAMBRIDGE March 15th, and was without a doubt, THE opening night of the season. Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 May decide on inclusion of items. performance begins at 7.45 p.m. and the doors are This gala black-tie event had all the earmarks of legendary opening nights open at 6.00 p.m. to enable members to have supper Nottingham theatre Royal BO: 0115 989 5555 The Cambridge University Noël Coward Details included in ‘What’s On?’ are as received, - celebrities, television and press interviews, flashing cameras of the before the show. www.royalcentre-nottingham.co.uk Society will be launched at the end of the Tuesday 12 to Saturday 16 May with our thanks, from: paparazzi, and a huge party at Sardi's across the street following the The premier run of this show took place in Summer term with a new production of Samuel French UK and February at Bellamy’s Restaurant in Mayfair and Newcastle Theatre Royal BO: 08448 11 21 21 Private Lives directed by Alex Winterbotham. Canada (Play Publishers and m was completely sold out. It will also be playing at Group bookings: 08448 11 21 22 It will be staged in the gardens of Trinity co Author’s Representatives), y. the Café Carlyle in New York later in the year. John Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 May a

College, on Tuesday 9, Wednesday 10 and Ken Starrett (US), w

d Standing comes from an eminent acting dynasty Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Thursday 11 June. Alan Brodie Representation a BO: 01902 429 212 ro that includes his great grandfather Herbert Contact the Society's Secretary, Denys (Professional Productions), /B www.grandtheatre.co.uk NCS members and in Standing, his grandfather Sir Guy Standing his Robinson for tickets or further information on te Tuesday 26 to Saturday 30 May theatre companies. rs grandmother actress Dorothy Hammond, and his

020 7983 4117, by post to 4 Parkside, fe

a mother who is perhaps best

Bath Theatre Royal BO: 01225 448 844 S

Vanbrugh Fields, London SE3 7QQ or at .

For details of rights for J remembered for her role as Elvira in Blithe Spirit. www.theatreroyal.org.uk t

professional productions: er Noël Coward was a good friend of the Standing Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 June b [email protected] www.alanbrodie.com o family, so John has a fund of stories and anecdotes Cheltenham Everyman Theatre R

For amateur productions & about Noël and the many celebrities with whom he BO: 01242 572 573 k Coward also lights up Cambridge theatres www.samuelfrench.com or o www.everymantheatre.org.uk ro worked. John’s programme at Pizza-on-the-Park

with performances from two of the current UK www.samuelfrench- lb

o will comprise some of these stories interspersed Tuesday 22 to 27 June london.co.uk touring companies; the Kneehigh Theatre’s H with a selection of Coward’s songs. Sheffield Lyceum BO: 0114 249 606 For publishing rights: rd Brief Encounter (31 Mar to 4 Apr) and Song a www.methuen.co.uk h (Sir) John Standing succeeded his father, Sir www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk at Twilight with Peter Egan (13 to 18 Apr); ic Tuesday 30 June to Saturday 4 July For music rights: R Ronald Leon, as the fourth baronet in 1964. both at the Cambridge Arts Theatre s:

www.warnerchappell.co.uk to Although his father was a stockbroker, it was Cornwall Hall for Cornwall BO: 01872 262 466 (top left as Elvira) with Ken Starrett at the opening night party at Sardi’s o

BO: 01223 503333 h www.hallforcornwall.co.uk P

Page 12 JOIN US IN 2009 - TO CELEBRATE THE SOCIETY’S TENTH BIRTHDAY! performance. Broadway stars and popular personalities adding to the perhaps inevitable that John should become an as a brand new revival of Noël’s most popular comedy opens on excitement included Polly Bergen, Raul Esparza, Penny Fuller, Rex actor, just like his grandfather, grandmother, mother Broadway, Barry Day looks at the history of this ‘improbable farce.’ Reed, Liz Smith, Richard Thomas and Tony Award winners, Elizabeth and stepfather, Sir . John is married BLITHE SPIRIT Part Two: Broadway to CBS TV Ashley, Donna Murphy, Roger Rees, Marian Seldes and Tammy Grimes. to Sarah Forbes, daughter of and oël had originally thought this might be a suitable reading of the part. Ms. Grimes was, of course, Elvira in the musical version, . The Society has obtained a vehicle for his friends, the Lunts but letters from In his memoirs Noël chooses to “draw a light, spangled veil and has played Madame Arcati in a production of the play in Stratford, discount of £5 on all tickets and the price for NCS his US partner, Jack Wilson (who was to direct in over it. It wasn’t entirely bad but it was a great deal less good Ontario. This production gives us a suave as Charles members is £20 per head. Noël’s absence) soon put that idea to rest. . . than it should have been.” Condomine, making his Broadway debut after having appeared in several HOW TO BOOK: Please speak to Charlie David on “Alfred called me up last night and they are crazy In 1956 came the live production for CBS. Coward plays in London. Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole is a Nabout the play, as I thought they the Pizza-on-the-Park booking line on 08456 First he had to cut down a three act deliciously mischievous Elvira, and Jayne Atkinson as Ruth, gives a 027017 and tell him that you would like to be part should be, in fact even more so that I play to fit a 90 minute time slot (minus deftly controlled performance. NCS member as Dr. of the Noël Coward Society’s special group had expected and Alfred was very commercials!) Bradman and Deborah Rush as Mrs. Bradman both offer smooth support booking. You may reserve your ticket by credit tempted with the man’s part. She That was an experience he found in these psychic goings-on. card. Supper can be paid for, individually, by cash (Lynn) felt, however, that the interesting - even useful. In his Diary Susan Louise O'Connor creates a comic gem in the role of Edith, the or credit card, on the evening. Please also let woman’s part whichever of the two for that year he found it, “a salutary maid. The audience was totally and completely charmed by Angela Barbara Longford know when you have made the she chose, was not good enough for experience. . . I have learned, for Lansbury's performance as the booking, as she is co-ordinating arrangements. her.” instance, to dispense with amusing eccentric psychic, Madame John Standing is also performing the show on Later ... “(She said) If we would irrelevances that have no direct bearing Arcati. Tony Award-winning 19/20 April, 26/27 April and 3rd May. have allowed her, she would have on the story and to get back to my director barbaralongford@noëlcoward.net played the part of Elvira herself, original method of saying what I have presents us with a classy, or 020 7603 7399 which I know darn well is not true, to say in as few lines as possible and bright production. The but when I told her so, she countered with a minimum of atmospheric audience response to this Saturday 20th June, 2009, meet at by saying the only reason she had not padding and linguistic flourishes.” starry evening was wildly was because you insulted her by 10.00 a.m. at Waterloo Station But for read - enthusiastic. In recent times, offering her Ruth, she was very . She was an old opening night parties have offended that you thought she was friend and he had no-one to blame but often been held at other ‘A Midsummer Day’s Noël’ right for that part. All of this, of himself for casting her. venues. Arranged by Graham Sawyer course, is mere talk and doesn’t mean She was notorious for insisting on On this evening it was a thing.” being filmed with only one profile - appropriate and fitting that the Members are invited to join member Graham Noël did finally play Charles. He something that was possible with a party for Blithe Spirit should Sawyer and a group from the Ramblers’ Association toured the play around the provinces - feature film’s ability to cut but virtually uphold the time-honored as Madame Arcati and and the Teddington Theatre Club for a Noël Coward in repertory with impossible for the director (Noël tradition of “opening night at Susan Louise O'Connor as Edith in Blithe Spirit walk and celebrations on Saturday 20th June. and . If the people in himself) of a live TV production. After Sardi's.” Photo By Robert J. Saferstein/Broadway.com Members may meet at Platform 7 at Waterloo the provinces couldn’t come to the several rehearsals, Noël insisted on a Critical opinion praised the performances and the production. Many Station, London and should book for the 10.00 a.m. theatre, Noël argued, then the theatre kinescope they could both look at. The of the notices were virtual love letters to Angela Lansbury, a much train to Strawberry Hill (Zone 6). Graham will be must go to the people. Which they did result was that Noël’s image dominated adored, Tony Award-winning Broadway star. Critic, John Simon sums it leading the walk, which is three miles in total, to Sir - for three months. every scene they played together. With up nicely by saying, Noël’s birthplace, the church where he sang as a And then there was the 1945 film. ill humour Miss Colbert changed her choirboy, Bushy Park (where Mrs Coward pushed directed, as he had for, In mind. “When a scintillating comedy, masterly direction and superior the perambulator?) and it will finish at the Hampton Which We Serve (1941) and This His frustration with her performances come together, what have you got? A rip-roaring revival of Hill Playhouse and the Noël Coward studio theatre, Happy Breed (1942). This was a less performance led to some of the Noël Coward's Blithe Spirit that lights up Broadway's Shubert Theatre.” containing much Coward memorabilia. We shall happy experience. Lean at that point in legendary exchanges between them. have a celebratory drink and listen to some songs his a career had little feeling for Colbert (after fluffing yet again): At the end of the evening, in discussing the play, Tammy Grimes said and readings of Coward’s works. The event will end comedy. He even suggested the scenes It’s funny. I knew this scene backwards to Ken Starrett, mid afternoon. Please note that there is parking at between Myrtle Bagot, the refained last night. Strawberry Hill Station, so if participants would lady behind the refreshment counter Noël: That’s the way you’re playing “I think Noël would have been very happy with tonight.” like to drive directly there, they should aim to arrive and her station master beau in Brief it this morning. by 10.50 a.m. Please bring sensible shoes and Encounter be cut. Of course they were And of course - I’d wring her neck. A theatre party for NCS members was held at a preview performance perhaps a sandwich to eat en route. Those wishing not - Noël being adamant that the If I could find it (Miss Colbert’s neck, on March 4th. 120 people attended. Even with reservations, most agreed to attend for the readings, songs and drinks only, comedy was a necessary counterpoint though perfectly adequate for its that the play is an enormously enjoyable evening in the theatre. It's should arrive at the Teddington Theatre Club to the emotion of the main plot. purpose was not of swanlike bubbling comedy is a healing tonic for currently difficult economic times. between 12 and 12.30 p.m. There is no charge for Blithe Spirit on film, therefore lost proportions.) Following the performance, there was an added special treat. The entire this event. Please let Barbara know, if you would some of its edge. When the live show was safely cast and the director came on stage and most graciously greeted NCS like to join us. Nor did Rex Harrison help matters. behind him, he noted - “Her members. barbaralongford@noëlcoward.net Charles is meant to be a somewhat appearance was charming and entirely Ken Starrett, acting as moderator, asked questions of the cast. They or 020 7603 7399 pompous man in early middle age and inappropriate in the part and the play. . spoke of their past associations with Coward's plays, his music, how they Cecil Parker (who was 44 at the time) . God preserve me in future from first became acquainted with Coward, and their feelings about the current The Noël Coward Treasure Hunt played him that way on stage. The egocentric female stars. I don’t suppose production. * PLEASE NOTE, that this event, which was due pompous man begins by being He will. . . I am really too old to go Huge thanks must be given to the cast of Blithe Spirit for this very to take place on Sunday 10th May has been outraged, then gradually realises he is through all these tired old hoops.” kind gesture. There is no question that they will be entertaining postponed because of lack of interest. enjoying a little celestial bigamy. The Fortunately for us he didn’t. . . audiences for some time to come. Unfortunately, only two members contacted Lisa contrast is key. Matinée idol Rex - a Barry Day Ken Starrett Foster to confirm their places. youthful 37 - refused to defuse his The photographs shown here were Barbara Longford professional charm, with the result that taken as promotional stills for the he gave an amusing but incorrect CBS broadcast of Blithe Spirit Page 2 Page 11 but found them so dull and tiresome that I gave them up. An update from Chairman, One does not need a deep knowledge of the mysteries of Appointments to the Committee Barbara Longford theory and musical form in order to compose light songs of the n recent months three significant new appointments have was re-invented as a “community-focused” arts centre. Nothing revue and musical comedy type. What is necessary is a perfect been made to help us to run the Society with maximum daunted, Michael went on to form the Sarah Thorne Theatre ear for pleasant sounds. When I think of what seems to me to be effectiveness and efficiency. As is the case with everyone Club in a disused old theatre in Broadstairs with a hand picked a good tune, the most suitable harmony suggests itself at the who works for NCS, there is no financial reward and we all crew from his former staff. He still works as a “very small” same time - in a rough form at any rate. I don’t know whether I volunteer our services because of our love and respect for producer arranging try-outs of new works and being a lover of am breaking conventional rules of theory, and care less. The I the work of Noël Coward. The Committee invited each of the The Master’s works, has found a few hours a week to become sound’s the thing. new members to take on their specific role and we adhered to the the new Publicity and PR Officer. The Summer Season Rep. this Nearly all my life I have been able to pick tunes up readily old adage that if you want something to be done, then you ask a year in Broadstairs will include Private Lives. See after hearing them at a music-hall or theatre, and to play them busy person. As you will see from the impressive biographical www.sarahthorne-theatreclub.co.uk for more details. on the piano. Lots of people can do that to a certain extent, details of our new recruits, that maxim is a reliable one. Michael Wheatley-Ward, Chandos House, 14, Vale Square, though the difficulty in most cases is to reproduce the harmony Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 9DF. Tel: 01843 580389. correctly, for every popular success has some little peculiarity Membership Secretary e-mail: [email protected] in that respect that may cause trouble. But the right gift, an Stephen Duckham took over this role in August 2008. He absolutely correct musical ear, solves the problem in a moment. manages the database for the entire US West Coast Liaison I do not know when I began to compose but I must have membership, currently standing at 670 Kathy Williams accepted the Committee’s invitation to begin been very young. I used to write songs in collaboration with members worldwide and he deals with a completely new role in San Francisco, in January 2009. Miss Esme Wynne, who has been my friend since my nursery the membership administration for the Committee members first met Kathy when she attended the days. She wrote lyrics and I tried to set them to music. I UK and the rest of the world, Oxford weekend conference Future Definite in September 2006 remember she wrote one which ran: excluding the U.S.A., where Ken and were impressed by her knowledge, enthusiasm and warmth. Starrett handles it. Also, the Committee thought it would be beneficial to have an Our little love is dying Stephen is a writer and director of active representative in place during On his head bloom lately crimson roses faded quite musicals and pantomimes. Productions the Star Quality exhibition at the of his works have been seen all over Museum of Performance & Design, I knew nothing about rhythm in those far-off days; the tune the British Isles and further afield such running from 17th April until 29th seemed to me the only thing that mattered. The music I as Kuwait, USA and Australia. He has directed over 100 musical August 2009 in San Francisco. composed caused the words to read like this: LYRICS CHANGED productions including four European Premieres and three World A native Californian, Kathy Premieres. His most recent production was the world premiere Williams (nee Marriott) grew up in Our little love is dying on his head BY NOËL COWARD of Valentino, a musical based on the life of the first screen Santa Monica, a beach town near Lately crimson roses faded quite TALKS WITH BBC superstar and co-written with Laurie Hornsby. At the time of Los Angeles. At age 12, she fell in By our own Radio Staff going to press, Stephen is in New Orleans directing a production love with the work of Noël Coward Perhaps I was in a hurry. Unfortunately I have always been Noël Coward will change the words of five of the six songs of another new musical Scandalous! based on the life of D H when her teacher read aloud scenes pressed for time, and I usually work at a rapid rate. I wrote the from his new musical which were banned by the Lawrence, which premieres in March. A life-long fan of Noël from Blithe Spirit. In the summer of whole of “On With The Dance” (now being presented at the BBC on the grounds of general taste and because they Coward he was pleased to be asked to join the Committee last 1965, as a teen-aged chorine at the Bluth Brother’s Theatre (a London Pavilion) - music, lyrics and book - in a month. My contained advertising material. year as the Membership Secretary. converted convenience store in Culver City, CA), she was play I’ll Leave it to You, was written in a few weeks. The BBC spokesman said yesterday: “After discussions Stephen Duckham, 47 Compass Court, Norfolk Street, delighted to sing, dance, and ride a bicycle in their production of It was really through hurry that a certain unfortunate between Mr. Coward and us he has agreed to make one or two Coventry, CV1 3LJ Tel: 02476 229502. High Spirits. incident happened on the river some time ago. Miss Betty alterations in the sheet music which we suggested.” The only e-mail: [email protected] Kathy moved to the San Francisco Bay area and attended Chester and I were engaged to appear in “The Knight of the exception is the song “Why Do The Wrong People Travel?” (In Stephen’s absences abroad, Barbara Longford covers his duties) Burning Pestle,” and as the time for preparation was so short Some of the alterations in the sheet music of the songs: In Stanford University, graduating with a degree in English Literature and a minor in theatre. While at university, she was we decided to go to Oxford, where we could study our parts “The Passenger is Always Right,” the expression “son of a Publicity and PR Officer without interruption. We were in a canoe one day, studying for bitch” is cut out; in “Useful Phrases,” “bloody” becomes active in the Ram’s Head Theatrical Society, serving as Michael Wheatley-Ward took on this role in October 2008. all we were worth, when the craft upset, and our manuscripts “silly;” and in: “Beatnik Love Affair,” “Gordon’s Gin” becomes president in her senior year. In 1966, she studied for six months He makes contact with the producers of professional and got so wet that they were useless. Result several days’ delay “London Gin.” at Stanford’s overseas campus in — housed in amateur Coward shows in the UK and until we obtained new copies. Mr. Coward’s decision to change some of the lyrics means Harlaxton Manor, near Grantham, Lincolnshire — and travelled aims to raise the profile of our Society But I was talking about musical inspiration. One of my that they will now be broadcast by orchestras and singers. from London to Stratford to Edinburgh to see great theatre. and increase the membership. greatest successes was “Parisian Pierrot,” sung in London Kathy’s writing includes both non-fiction (notably, as tech Michael has been in the Calling. the idea of that came to me during a visit to a cabaret writer and manager at Apple Computer, Inc., 1979-86) and professional theatre for over 44 years, in Berlin. I noticed the doll hanging on a curtain, and it seemed HELP SHAPE COWARD ON THE WEB fiction (short stories, plays, and a languishing screenplay: a man having commenced at Stratford East in to impress itself on my mind. Soon afterwards, a melody which The new website on Noël Coward’s music is starting to take known only as “Jimmy the Weasel” was her screenwriting 1965, moving into London working appeared to associate itself with the doll incident occurred to shape. . . but what sort of shape should it be? The site sets out guru.) Formerly a member of the National Writers Union, Kathy with Stoll Theatres and a spell with me, and - well I just played it. to make Coward’s music totally accessible, with information on is now an associate member of the Dramatists Guild. , before becoming a I thought of the tune of my latest success, “Poor Little Rich his musicals, revues and ‘plays with music’ - as well as taking a In 2003, Kathy was delighted to become a member of the management trainee with the former Girl,” while I was having tea. The usual dash for the piano, and stab at looking at some 400 pieces of music, songs and lyrics. Noël Coward Society. Pleased by news that “liaise” is a ABC Theatre Circuit. A parallel career the thing was done. But for some reason I write this song in Dominic Vlasto and Alan Farley’s Noël Coward Music Index is legitimate (although intransitive) verb, she is honored that in retail gave him the capital to become a producer, “angel”, four flats, whereas I had always kept to three flats previously. one of the main resources being used by John Knowles to craft Barbara Longford and the Committee have asked her to serve as agent and director. His happiest days were at the Theatre Royal There is no scientific explanation of it at all. Some of us the site with the addition of 100s of audio clips and musical “U.S. West Coast Liaison” for the Society. in Margate, built 1786, which he re-opened in 1992. Sadly, the have these strange peculiarities, and some have not. I don’t images. To add your input go to: www.noëlcowardmusic.com Kathy Williams, 141 Stonegate Road, Portola Valley, CA 94028 Arts Council did not support his view of theatre – bringing a full even know how I got my musical talent unless it has been and look at some of the pages then go to the guest book to add USA Tel: (650) 529 9050. e-mail: [email protected] programme of live shows to a culturally under-endowed corner handed down to me from a grandfather who was organist for your thoughts at: of the country – because its offering was not sufficiently high many years at the Crystal Palace. www.noëlcowardmusic.com/guestbook/gbook.php On behalf of the Committee and all Society members, our brow. Although audiences were rising to record numbers, a deal But I wonder if it is fair to his memory to say so? all your comments will be published and taken account of. thanks to Kathy, Stephen and Michael for their impressive John Knowles was done whereby the local authority bought the theatre and it contributions to date. Barbara Longford

Page 10 Page 3 Coward Painting of From the Archive COWARD ON THE COAST PORT MARIA The following items have been taken from Events to look forward to on America’s West Coast from Kathy Williams Sold at Christie’s Dominic Vlasto’s Archive at his Studio at fter years of rather slim pickings for Coward fans Interviews by Alan Farley Long Gores in Norfolk out west, our prayers have been answered, March 19: Maureen McVerry (Ruth Condomine in 42nd especially in California: almost every day this Buried in a piece in the New York Journal American is a snippet Street Moon's production of High Spirits) was on “Open Air” year, news has arrived of plans for a performance, that is part of a gossip column by Jack O’Brian. This dismissive (Thursday at 1 PM). event, project, broadcast, or new book celebrating fragment relates to a CBS telecast Coward was about to make A April 2: Lamplighters director of , Barbara the life and work of Noël Coward. Starting in April we’ll see a in 1955, it goes as follows: Heroux, will appear on “Open Air” (Thursday at 1 PM). bumper crop. April 7: Craig Jessup will be the guest on "My Favorite “Just before Noël Coward went on TV last Saturday night he Things" (Tuesday at 8 PM). sent a hurry call to Alfred Lunt, who was in his stylish audience Bitter Sweet and Star Quality: The April 9: Brad Rosenstein will talk about Star Quality on in the CBS color theatre. Lunt went backstage and returned to “Open Air” (Thursday at 1 PM). World of Noël Coward report to his wife, Lynn Fontanne and :

Two back-to-back events of delight to all Coward fans are 42nd Street Moon • High Spirits and “Noël’s in a terrible state.” coming to San Francisco on April 16th: the gala exhibition Craig Jessup at the Eureka Theatre, “Worse than you on opening night?” asked Miss Fontanne. opening of Star Quality: The World of Noël Coward at the “Much,” Lunt said, grieving. Museum of Performance & Design (MPD), followed by The San Francisco “Will he be going on?” asked Webb. Lamplighters world premiere of Barry Day’s concert version of Two Coward shows produced by 42nd Street Moon will Lunt raised a patronising eyebrow at Webb. Bitter Sweet in the Herbst Theatre. Both events are located in brighten the Eureka Theatre this spring: High Spirits and Craig “Clifton don’t be absurd.” the historic War Memorial Veterans Building, next door to the Jessup Sings Noël Coward. High Spirits runs from March 19 to This painting was sold for £5,250 at the 20th Century British Opera House in the San Francisco War Memorial & Performing April 12, overlapping with Craig Jessup, whose cabaret plays Art sale at Christie’s on 25th March 2009 And so the show went on, the offstage worried colloquy Arts Center. April 5, 7, 8, and 12. The work is signed 'NOËL COWARD' (lower left), signed proceeding just as preciously and devastatingly as any Coward Brad Rosenstein - Curator of Exhibitions and Programs at High Spirits. Directed by Moon’s Founding Artistic Director, again and dedicated 'To Graham/with Heart and Soul/NOËL' (on play. Tennis anyone? the MPD (and NCS member) - has kindly arranged with the Greg MacKellan, this production stars Megan Cavanagh, of a label attached to the backboard with a drawing of a West Lamplighters and with the MPD for Coward Society members Moon’s production of Out of This World, and the TV series Exes Indian lady in red dress), inscribed again, 'Dayroom, Firefly' (on Coward’s comment to a friend, marvelling at Deah Noël’s to receive discounted pricing for the two events. We are hoping and Ohs, in the role of Madame Arcati. Michael Patrick Gaffney, the frame) It is oil on canvas-board 11¼ x 14¼ in. (28.6 x 36.2 glittering career: “My life has been one long extravagahnzah.” for a good turnout for this exceptional evening. last seen in the company production of Coco, is the harried cm.) Coward has written some 47 shows in some 30 years, to make Charles Condomine; Maureen McVerry, who also appears in the Noël Coward first visited Jamaica in 1944 on a two week him rich, famous, an authentic international celebrity - in upcoming Wildcat is his current wife Ruth, while Dyan holiday. Four years later he stayed at 's estate while television that would be less than one year of programs. McBride, who appeared as Venus in Out of This World and Flora he searched for a property: “We discussed over drinks the in Flora the Red Menace, plays Charles’ ghostly former wife possibility of building a shack ... and how wonderful it would be Elvira. Rena Wilson, who starred as Merry May Glockenspiel in to have such an idyllic bolt-hole to return to when life became last year’s The Student Gypsy, doubles as Edith - the maid of too frustrating” (see C. Lesley, The Life of Noël Coward, many talents - and one of Madame Arcati’s Inner Circle London, 1976, p. 263). Coward built a series of houses Beatniks. An energetic chorus rounds out the cast, playing commanding amazing coastal views which he named Blue Bradfords, Beatniks, and bar patrons at the Grovechester Hotel. Harbour. Later he built Firefly as a retreat on a deserted tract of Highlights of the show include the crackling Coward lines land above Blue Harbour. and lovely (and hilarious) musical numbers: Gaffney and This work depicts the view from Firefly towards Port Maria. McVerry’s sweet duet, “If I Gave You”, and Cavanagh’s Cole Lesley in his biography of Coward describes the view; by Noël Coward - written in 1925 “Something is Coming to Tea.” In the original Broadway cast, “spread before you is a ravishing view of the sea, with Port Elvira was, of course, our American-born Vice President, Maria Bay to the right, the small town almost hidden by coco- Musical inspiration is a peculiar sort of thing. It just comes. Tammy Grimes palm and banana plantations ... and above all this beauty is the One cannot sit down and think and think until melodies come to (her standby was Patrick Gaffney and Maureen McVerry long range of the Blue Mountains ... sometimes almost purple, the mind. I am much too busy for that, and, besides, that Alan Farley - KALW 91.7 NCS member Iva in High Spirits always blue.” method would never bring success - at least not in my case. Withers.) Having In March and April, Alan Farley is broadcasting four Unfortunately for the vendors two other paintings - one by I just go on with the business of living, like other people do, had the pleasure interviews. During KALW’s pledge drive on March 20, Alan Coward and the other by Graham Payn - do not appear to have until something occurs to me. It may be while I am at dinner, or of seeing Miss presented two wonderful offers: a “Coward Evening” (tickets to been sold. The Coward painting is one his typical Jamaican work on a bus, or even when I am having a bath. If I am anywhere Grimes in cabaret Bitter Sweet plus the opening-night Gala for Star Quality at the scene pictures and the one by Graham Payn is of the driveway to near a piano I fly to it and play the tune with one hand. That at the Algonquin, MPD) for one lucky listener who pledged $500 to KALW; for Firefly Hill - a rare piece as Graham did not paint many pictures. “fixes’” it, as a photographer would say, and I can proceed with I am resistant to a pledge of $75, Alan offered the CD by Mark Volkert and his the rest in a more leisurely way. any other trio, entitled Bitter Sweet, which includes Volkert’s suite from The next step is to get the harmony exactly as I want it, interpretation of Bitter Sweet as well as his suite in memory of Graham Payn. Photo: Robert Millard playing it over and over again, if necessary. After that my task the role, (Both suites were aired on Farley’s annual Coward Birthday is practically ended. I play it to a trained musician, who writes especially her sizzling signature song, “Home Sweet Heaven.” special.) the notes down and then repeats the piece to me so that I can That said, Dyan McBride’s rendition delivered the show- The offers were quickly claimed during the drive, make quite sure that he has reproduced it correctly. stopping goods. benefitting both the recipient and the public radio station. You I may be asked why I do not do this theoretical work 42nd Street Moon specializes in a staged concert format with may listen to Alan’s broadcasts on your computer. (Times myself. How boring! Besides, I happen to know practically choreography, minimal costumes and sets (although in this case, shown are Pacific Daylight Time, 7 hours earlier than GMT.) nothing about such matters. I have never had a lesson in they were more elaborate), and accompaniment by piano/small http://www.kalw.org/index2.html pianoforte playing in my life. I once went to the Guildhall ensemble (kudos to musical director Dave Dobrusky.) My only School of Music for a few lessons in harmony and composition, Page 4 Page 9 Rexton Bunnett looks at the possible regret: no bicycles! [Photos below are of Antaeus Academy actors who are Craig Jessup Sings Noël Coward. candidates for The Young Idea; from their staged reading this inspiration for Coward’s first and most A reprise of an earlier production. past January of Ferber and Kaufman’s Stage Door.] BITTER SWEET successful Musical. . . Opening April 5th , with Ken Muir mazingly Noël Coward’s first musical book show that story before? Yes, of at the piano. Jessup created this was Bitter Sweet. Up to that point he had built his course it is Show Boat! And show to honor the centennial of reputation as a playwright and a composer lyricist when was Show Boat first Noël Coward’s birth, and it has of revue songs. It was inevitable that he would produced? 27 December 1927 received the highest critical brings his skills together to write a musical but he and recordings appeared in acclaim. The San Francisco Ahad yet to find the inspiration and there was no great hurry for Examiner called it “A grand show 1928! he not yet turned thirty. So what was it that inspired him? The roots may be different … a real treat,” while the Bay Area Craig Jessop Your an actress! What was it that lit that spark that gave him the idea for the but the story line is the same. In Reporter declared it “superbly Adam sneaks in on Jean is back show and drove him to write Bitter Sweet? Show Boat the husband does not rendered … Jessup effortlessly evokes the vulnerability behind Aarons’ girl I will quote then Mr Coward himself: die, and the show has never had Coward’s sardonic mask.” “The idea of Bitter Sweet was born in the early summer of a satisfactory ending. But in that year, 1928. It appeared quite unexpectedly and with no Show Boat there is a daughter, Antaeus Theatre Company • Project other motivation beyond the fact that I had vaguely discussed but not in Bitter Sweet and that with Gladys (Calthrop) the possibilities of writing a romantic perhaps is a bitter for Young Actors: The Young Idea . She and I were staying with Ronald Peake, her family disappointment. However, Congratulations to the Antaeus Theatre Company of North Bernice shocks them solicitor, in Surrey, and an hour or so before we were due to there is the character of Dolly Chamberlain and she is the right Hollywood and its Artistic Director, Jeanie Hackett! The Noël leave, Mrs Peake happened to play us on the gramophone a age – was she originally to have been the grand-daughter? And Coward Foundation has awarded them a grant for 2009 for The Coward on Campus: University new German orchestral record of Die Fledermaus. was that a similarity beyond the par? Young Idea, a project featuring young professional actors from Student Productions Immediately a confused picture of uniforms, bustles, I do not argue that Strauss’ Die Fledermaus served its the Antaeus Academy in seldom-performed plays by Coward. Blithe Spirit at the UW School of Drama, Seattle: chandeliers and gas-lit cafes formed in my mind, and later, purpose as mentioned as well as the inspiration for the glorious This is the first time a theatre company on the West Coast has February 26 – March 1 Directed by Scott Hafso when we were driving over Wimbledon Common, we drew the pastiche of the ‘Bitter Sweet Waltz’ which is pure Viennese and received this honor, and local NCS members are extremely UW (University of Washington) School of Drama car to a standstill by the roadside, and in the shade of a giant the beautiful ‘Zigeuner’, which of course is sung in context in grateful for this nurturing of talent in our neighborhood. Penthouse Theatre - Located on the UW campus horse-chestnut tree mapped out roughly the story of Sari the show as a song written for an operetta. The rest of the score The first phase of the project is underway: selecting a rare University District, Seattle, WA 98105 Linden.” is pure musical comedy. Coward also used the names Carl and Coward play, casting it, and pairing instructors with students. at CSU Fullerton: April 17 - May 3, 2009 That was written by Coward in his first volume of his Sari which are associated with Strauss. However, it was the The young actors will then receive intensive training, followed Directed by Paul Barnes - Young Theatre, Clayes Performing autobiography Present Indicative, first published in 1937. It is famous Max Reinhart Berlin revival of Die Fledermaus which by a reading in June at the Deaf West Theatre, North Arts Center, California State University, Fullerton the accepted story and one that has been quoted by virtually opened 8 June 1929, just a month before Bitter Sweet’s 12 July Hollywood, California, and culminating in a workshop 800 North State College Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92834 every writer writing about the show. But what if Coward opening in London, that brought new interest to the piece (and production in December. Kathy Williams purposely misguided us to hide the real inspiration? new recordings) but that was too late to influence Coward. I A little while ago I was researching for a CD sleeve note wonder was the calling it an Operette also a red herring? and the above quoted paragraph was firmly in my mind. It’s the secondary character of Manon (BS – short for Bitter WORTEN MILL However, I started to feel a little uneasy about quoting it - Sweet) and Julie (SB – short for Show Boat) that holds many NCS Member Victor Ross something did not ring true. But what? Wasn’t it strange that a similarities and one could argue get the best song! Both are sells Gladys Cooper’s Home recording of a fifty-odd old operetta could excite him, strange cabaret singers, both are on their last legs but both try to point This beautiful mill house is being sold by NCS member Victor also that it was played at such a late moment in the visit? I the way forward. Manon sings ‘’, Julie ‘Bill’, Ross. ‘A river runs through it’ would describe Worten Mill to could understand if something really new, something excitingly both wonderful torch songs. perfection as an arm of the Great Stour runs through the house. hot-off-the-press that had arrived that morning and it was So SB became BS with a European twist. But why? Most Details from Strutt & Parker www.struttandparker.com played with great anticipation. So what if the recording of Die likely Coward would not have wanted to be compared with 01227 473 707 • [email protected] Fledermaus is a red herring? The inspiration was another Hammerstein and Kern and certainly not by admitting he had show, but Coward was not going to admit it and in fact wanted borrowed basics of their book. Coward’s producer for Bitter to hide it? Sweet, C B Cochran certainly admired Show Boat. Both Something else I thought strange. Surely the story is that of Coward and Cochran were in New York in 1928 when Show Sarah Millick who becomes Sari Linden. Why did Coward Boat was playing and it was inconceivable that they did not see chose the name Linden for his hero? Linden is the name of a it. Yet, there is no comment from Coward about the show; none tree, a lime tree here, but called Linden in Europe – and what of that has been published. One letter published in Barry Day’s the other tree in the paragraph? A giant horse-chestnut, a book of Coward letters was from Cochran to Coward. It chestnut tree – but the word chestnut has other meanings: an old comments on the general critics’ reaction to Kern’s score for joke, an old favourite or a cliché. Was Coward actually telling Show Boat. “There is not one of them that knows anything us that the accepted inspiration was not entirely Die about music. They all found Kern’s score for The Show Boat Fledermaus? After all, it is only the second of the three acts (sic) commonplace and only one number worth while.” So best that there is the scent of Die Fledermaus and that is because of they, the critics, do not see the similarities between the two! The Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach, Florida was the the presence of the military and the Viennese setting almost to I would like to think that Coward was so impressed by setting for a successful presentation by Vice President Barry the year that Die Fledermaus was premiered. So what is the Show Boat that he wanted to prove he could do as well. I doubt Day on the Letters of Noël Coward major influence? if the story line was worked out to follow the original, more “Everyone in the packed house at The Society of the Four Arts Let’s look at the story line of Bitter Sweet. Girl meets a boy likely he needed those believable characters to wind his story in Palm Beach agreed that they had ‘Been to a Marvelous who is not acceptable to her family and elopes. An older and never saw the direct resemblance. What he did, however, Party.’ The clever handling of the collection of Noël Coward’s woman who has more experience in the world tries to help; she was to write one of the great musical pieces of the twentieth private letters by ASCAP Award winner, Barry Day resulted in is a cabaret singer. After the unspeakable occurs our heroine is century. He wanted a romantic renaissance and his musical a delightful and illuminating piece of theater. The audience was forced to make a career on her own and eventually returns to comedy was, in many ways, ahead of its time. completely charmed and, best of all, were last heard begging her roots as a star of the stage. Now where had I come across Rexton S Bunnett for more.” Page 8 Page 5 Part 6 the story continues with edited extracts from the memories of Granville Bantock who attended the Imperial Theatre Actor’s Orphanage at Langley Hall and Silverlands and during its evacuation to America in World War II. LUCKY ORPHAN New York was taken back to the Foundation late on Sunday evening water and crawled several lengths. Eventually she climbed out - learned during my time in their country, when the Americans homework permitting, it would be an ice cream and then a trip to the where I found a long letter awaiting me from my mother. it was Jane. I had not seen much of her during the winter but decide to go for something in a big way, they go BIG. One garages. It all seemed very natural to fondle her breasts, but it always She was distraught at Paul’s (Granville’s brother) death, but now everything had changed - she was most attractive. We Saturday, Jane and I and another couple went Downtown to an stopped there because uncertainties lay ahead. There had been no sex she made no mention of the vigorous campaign she had chatted and agreed to meet at the Good Humour ice cream van enormous patriotic event: film stars were selling War Bonds nd education either at Silverlands or in America so it was a matter of finding begun to get me home. that evening. Later, we cooled off with ice creams on sticks as signing autographs; several big bands were thrashing out a huge out for yourself. Anyway, I was happy and enjoying our relationship, my IThe summer term started and I was determined to arrange we wandered along the drive to the Foundation garages, a quiet repertoire of nationalist songs; there were banners and bunting first serious affair. my curriculum to suit me better. Having met with heads of place in the evenings. She was then just seventeen and I was and hot dogs and coke. It was electrifying and I joined everyone New York in 1942 seemed to be such a safe place, we were allowed to departments, all was looking promising for my starting school sixteen and a half. I had not kissed a girl since the hayloft at else in the atmosphere of the occasion. It was very late when I roam anywhere and we often did. Jane had a great deal of energy and in September. There was so much I really enjoyed about the Silverlands two years before; it was going to happen again finally returned to the Foundation and bed. would, with her friends, pull me along into the swing of the moment. New York education system; students and teachers argued and now but I was feeling a little nervous. She sensed it and Transport was a delight, to go anywhere on the bus cost a dime and the Photographs from the debated questions with very little self-consciousness. At smiled whispering, “kiss me honey.” It was great elevated railway was the same except it cost a nickel. Favourite places to local press taken at Silverlands, on the other hand, it followed the rule of and I completely relaxed, tasting the lime visit were Times Square with all its illuminations, and the ice rink at ‘Gratefully Yours.’ June question, then answer, then all heads down. All the English flavour of her ice cream. One of the Rockefeller Centre. I would always be thinking of home in England where Bevis (mirror) and June children were making firm friendships with the Foundation cars appeared in the there was food rationing and the blackout. I knew nothing of my mother’s Haines pose at a costume American students and by now all the verbal bullying drive so this meeting of the efforts to get me back home which was just as well, perhaps. My new tryout. Below (Left) had stopped. It was now ‘our war’ and there were lips did not last long found friends lessened the shock of my brother’s death and the prospect of Marigold Mackenzie and more invitations than we could cope with. but it left me a new curriculum at high school made the future seem bright, but I knew at June Bevis (right) Gloria My mother had taken in a new lodger, Fred, very sixteen and a half I would have to get my skates on. Davis and Peter Gifford in who was too old for military service but who excited. July was very hot, well into the nineties, and Jane was becoming more ‘Chattanooga Choo-Choo’ helped run the local fire station in addition to It was receptive and I more hesitant. One warm evening, after ice creams, Jane his job as a stationary salesman. He managed about this and I decided to climb into the back of Mr. Griffin’s big black Buick. We The people listed below to obtain a small petrol ration for his Austin time my soon started kissing and it was not long before our tops were off; it was hot the programme for Seven car and during his travels he sponsor, and we were both sweating, I with tension as much as heat. “Loosen your ‘Gratefully Yours’ perfected his ability to ‘acquire’ a few Margaret belt honey,” she whispered, taking off her panties. show the large number of additions to the food ration. Webster, arranged The back seat of the car - not the best place for the first time - and I was people, at every level, Also my mother had befriended for several of the almost panicking, not knowing what to do next. Jane however knew involved in supporting, Max, a Jewish refugee from Austria English children to everything and I trusted her completely, our kissing became really organising and who was serving in the British visit her Downtown to passionate. Something had to happen and it did - the nightwatchman came entertaining the orphan army as a cook. He had an aunt see a matinee into the garage, complete with pistol on his hip. He looked around and children from Silverlands. and uncle living in New York to performance of a keyed his clock whilst we crouched motionless and sweating with heat and whom he wrote, suggesting Shakespeare play in which fear. Suppose he saw us, two naked bodies in the back of Mr. Griffin’s car, The press headed their they should entertain me. Maurice Evans was playing what would happen? He did not though, and after another glance around, article They came to the the leading part. I cannot he left. That was it; all passion had left us so we dressed and sneaked out. I ‘Children say “Thanks” Foundation often taking remember the play, nor whether am sure I would have bungled it so I was relieved in a way. We did not get Aid War Relief. me to their apartment for I liked it, but the atmosphere was another chance and we were to see each other only a few more times. It sumptuous meals; I really would be another three years before I found myself in a real, loving enjoyed their company on the situation. several occasions I saw them. There As arranged, Colonel Breckenridge arrived to take me to the farm in was a huge Jewish population in new York Maryland. He spent some time before we left talking to Miss Smith who he and whenever there was a Jewish holiday, was to marry some time later. We stopped many times to pick up attendance at high school would drop off 50%. hitchhiking soldiers who were always thoroughly quizzed about their units We had many Jewish friends in spite of only and the training they were undergoing. For the first time I realised that I two of the orphanage children being Jewish. was going to be involved in the war - it was inconceivable that it would be With acting ‘in the blood’ and having over in a year and a half. I asked the Colonel whether he thought I would performed in the pantomimes at Langley, some serve in the US forces or be sent home. He tried to reassure me that it of the children were very pleased to rehearse would all be over by the time I reached eighteen. We stayed with the for a special musical revue. Constance Collier, Vances for one night who were as hospitable as ever, and the following day an English actress living in New York at the we went shopping in Washington. At breakfast, Colonel Breckenridge said time, helped to direct together with Mrs. Cahan (Gertrude magical. Incredibly, we had barely studied Shakespeare at One of the English boys, like me, loved classical music and he would kit me out in farm clothes; he always thought of everything. On Lawrence’s daughter) and Mrs. Chase of the Gould Foundation. Silverlands nor at Christopher Columbus High. Or at least we tried to organise visits to Carnegie Hall for some concerts, the way to the farm we stopped to see a very old friend of his with the same The show was titled Gratefully Yours and presented at the Henry nothing to make an impression on me. There were five of us and but nothing happened for some reason. If I could not get into the first name as mine. He had fought in the civil war and was almost a Street Settlement in East Side New York, with local children in we were entertained afterwards by some of the cast. We were so serious music class I would have to resolve to be a listener and hundred years old. We arrived at Canby farm, near Silver Spring, and after the audience. A considerable amount of money was raised for privileged and fortunate that such a number of actors and nothing more in the world of music. Sixteen and a half was very introducing me Colonel Breckenridge said goodbye. I was not to see him charity and the Actors’ Orphanage children received rave actresses were thinking of 54 English orphans out in The Bronx. late to start, but perhaps there would be an opening in the again. He was truly a great American who had shown me kindness and reviews in the press. I always wrote ‘thank you’ letters. administration aspect of music - just like the position held by generosity, someone never to be forgotten. Summer 1942 was coming in; hot weather was just around The growing patriotic fervour was magnificent; there had Mary Ann’s father. I do not remember being able to receive the corner and the pool was open. Our girls appeared in their been some American naval victories in the Pacific and a classical music on my little radio set, but as all the broadcasts Next time - life on the farm and the return to New York - will Granville latest swimming costumes, filling them very attractively. It was glimmer of hope lay ahead. The manufacture of planes, guns, were commercially sponsored it was, perhaps, an uneconomical have to return home to England as his mother wishes. six months since the pool had closed and I could feel stirrings of tanks and ships was full speed ahead and some of the figures proposition for many radio stations. It is 1942 and the war is still a long way from over. . . sexual excitement when, one afternoon, a girl dived into the issuing from the radio were almost unbelievable. But, as I had I was now seeing Jane two or three times a week, and Page 7 Page 6