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Home , Design for Living, Elisabeth Welch, Garrick Theatre, Gielgud Theatre, Hay Fever (play), Irene Worth

Relative Values (continued...) Relative Values 6 to 11 Feb - Newton ADS, Powys Theatre, Newtown, Powys 31 Mar - May 6 - The Masquers a FREE TO 10 to 13 May - 8pm, Ruislip Dramatic Society community theatre in Point MEMBERS OF at the , Glebe Avenue, Ickenham near Richmond, CA, on the East shore THE SOCIETY Ruislip. For further details goto: www.ruislipdramatic.org of the San Francisco Bay at 105, Price £3 ($5) Still Life Park Place, Point Richmond. 22 to 29 Jul - New Venture Theatre, Brighton, E. Sussex Directed by Robert Taylor. Call CHAT 510-232-4031 to reserve.Fri. and homeAPRIL 2006 - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE NOËL COWARD SOCIETY 1 to 12 Jun - New Era Players Theatre, Newbury, Berkshire Sat. at 8 p.m.through May 6. Tickets are $15. 232-4031. 25 to 29 Apr Tower Theatre's production at the Bridewell www.masquers.org MEMBERS MEET DAME JUDI! Theatre, Bride Lane, EC4 17 to 18 Mar - University Of Central Students' In the Rest of the World... sparkling evening awaits Noël Coward Society Members and their guests on Tuesday 6th June Union Drama Society, The Charter Theatre, Preston, 2006 for the new production of at the . We have 60 tickets Lancashire. Director: Christopher Fitzsimmons. Tickets £10 Australia for this star studded evening that includes a good theatre seat and a meeting with Dame Judi conc. £7 BO: 01772 258858 A who has agreed to join us for drinks after the performance. This will be a very special occasion Queensland Theatre Co & State Theatre Co of South for the Society with one of the legends of the British theatre. Book early for this outstanding event by Australia, Brisbane 19 Oct 2006 - 14 Nov 2006 returning the enclosed booking form by Monday 29th May 2006. We may never get an opportunity like In North America... Queensland Theatre Co & State Theatre Co of South this again! Dame Judi was last seen on the West End stage in the Royal Shakespeare Elizabeth Sharland and Steve Ross Australia, Adelaide 10 Nov 2006 - 2 Dec 2006 production of All's Well That Ends Well at the . At the Haymarket she played opposite National Arts Club lunch on April 4th at noon Steve Ross will New Zealand her fellow Dame, , in ’s Breath of Life in 2002. Earlier that year, Dench was play Coward and following the theme of April in 17 Mar to 1 Apr - evenings 8pm (except Mondays) Matinee on the same stage playing in Hall’s revival of Kaufman and Ferber’s in which, as Paris and Ms Sharland's new book repeated at the New York Sundays 2pm. $21 Adult, concession prices available. Venue: with Hay Fever, she played a grandiose actress steeped in theatrical tradition. She is the winner of four Sheet Music Society at the National Women's Republic Club 16th Ave Repertory Directed by Margaret Douglas. Olivier Awards, including two in the same year - a feat that no other actress has ever accomplished. Her on at 3 West 51st -along from the 21 Club on Saturday April long and illustrious stage and film career has made her one of the world’s most celebrated actresses. 8th at 2.p.m. Full details and costs for the evening are shown on the enclosed booking form. Richard Rose (Samuel French in London has copies of the book ‘A AFTERTHOUGHT Theatrical Feast in Paris’ ideal for those going on the Paris trip on April 23rd.) STEPHEN FRY AND Quoted from a piece widely distributed across the media: SUPPORT SOCIETY’S OXFORD CONFERENCE 21 Apr to 6 May Niagra Falls Music Theatre Society, Niagara In Britain she is treated with the reverence accorded a Falls, Ontario. The aim of the conference is to celebrate national treasure. ‘Future Definite – a Celebration 28 Mar to 1 Apr - University of Winnipeg, Manitoba Coward’s work in a thoughtful and incisive way, In America, it seems, is simply too old. The of the work of Noël Coward’ 21 Apr to 6 May - Niagara Falls Music Theatre Society, helping to ensure that it is available to future first lady of British film and theatre was snubbed by three of Niagara Falls. St. Catherine’s College, Oxford generations. More in the style of a literary the leading network talk shows because she is regarded as 6 to 8 Apr - Erindale Secondary School, Mississauga, Ontario Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd September, 2006 festival, rather than a colloquium, our intention over the hill, the film producer, Weinstein, said. Hay Fever BOOKING COMMENCES NOW! is to have fun and to provide a conference which Dame Judi, 71, is doing the sofa circuit of American Noël himself might have enjoyed. 3 Nov to 4 Dec - CenterStage, Baltimore College hank you to all those members who studios to promote her new film, Mrs Henderson Presents. Events will include a Parkinson-style chat 5 to 28 Jan - Nicola Cavendish directs at Presentation House returned the ‘expression of interest’ form But although her performance as the well-heeled purveyor show, hosted by Alan Farley, radio producer (333 Chesterfield Ave., North Vancouver). BO: 604-990-3474. enabling the Society to go ahead with this of wartime titillation may have earned her an Oscar from San Francisco and co-author of our Music 19 to 28 Oct - Borelians Community theatre, Port Perry, conference. Over fifty of you agreed, in nomination as best actress, she is "out of step" with the T Index: a film show of Noël’s Ontario principle, to attend and this enabled prime-time TV demographic. Mr Weinstein told New York home movies: a Literary 16 to 18 May - Armbrae Academy, Halifax, Nova Scotia. us to approach the The Noël magazine that Dame Judi was turned down for interviews by walking tour of Oxford: a Private Lives Coward Foundation for sponsorship. NBC's Today show and ABC's Good Morning America and special Black Tie/Tuxedo 2 Mar to 1 Apr - The Seattle Repertory Theatre, Washington. The Foundation has agreed to The View. Saturday evening dinner 28 Apr to 6 May - Atlin Theatre Group Society, Atlin, BC provide funding for ten drama “They said she didn't fit their demographics. I told that followed by : readings Oct. 6-Nov. 30 - Wayne State University Theater, Detroit students to be with us throughout to my mother, who was pretty offended,” the Miramax chief from Noël’s letters by 16 to 18 and 23 to 25 Salem Repertory Theatre, Cyrus Reed the weekend and to entertain us on executive said. “What do they think, 25-year-old people professional actors, written Ballroom, Reed Opera House, 189 Liberty St. NE. 7:30 p.m. Friday evening. The inclusion of so can't watch 70-year-old people? The insanity of youth. It and narrated by Barry Day. with 2 p.m. matinees Feb. 19 and 26. many young people will help us to also assumes none of us like our families.” There will be a bookshop Tickets are $17, $15 for seniors and $10 for students. BO: ensure that the future is indeed Miramax Films is distributing Mrs Henderson, set in the selling Coward volumes (503) 302-8907. definite. Windmill theatre in London's in the 1930s and 1940s. currently published by Vice President, Stephen Fry is But while this may have won her approval at the highest Methuen and books from our 21 Sep to 7 Oct - Stage Centre Productions, Scarborough, taking one of the sessions and Alan level of the US entertainment business, the television talk own collection of first Ontario Rickman has agreed to conduct a shows - which can make or break a release - found editions and classic Coward Design For Living Master Class with the students; themselves forced to deliver a flurry of embarrassing volumes. A computerised Jun 15 to Nov 18 - Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ont. - The Shaw subject to his availability. Our defensive statements after Mr Weinstein's remarks. sound system storing nearly Festival opens its 45th season. scintillating Saturday night cabaret The Hall at St. Catherine’s every known notable recording will be performed by Steve Ross (from New York) With thanks to Samuel French UK and Canada (Play Publishers and Author's Representatives), Ken Starrett (US), of Coward’s work and an extensive collection of and & Michael Law. Speakers Lisa Foster at Alan Brodie Representation (Professional Productions) and other NCS members. Coward’s films, television and radio broadcasts and participants include Barry Day, Dr. Sos Eltis Unless otherwise stated all images and text are copyright to NC Aventales AG on VHS, DVD and online storage. (Fellow and Tutor at Brasenose College, Oxford), (Successor in title to the Estate of the Late Sir Noël Coward). Delegates will be able to check in on Friday Jeremy Sams, Geoffrey Johnson, Alan Farley, All correspondence should be sent to: The Noël Coward Society, 29 Waldemar Avenue, Hellesdon, Norwich, 1st September from 2 – 3.30 p.m, with tea from Marcy Kahan and Dominic Vlasto. NR6 6TB, UK email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)1603 486 188 3.30 – 4.p.m and sessions and events will Page 12 continue throughout the weekend, with the final form included with this newsletter and roductions are shown for the UK, USA and Canada and for the rest of the world. Professional one from 11 a.m. until 12.30 p.m. on Sunday 3rd return it, with your deposit (a cheque companies are shown in red. Details are as prov ided by our various contributors - please check locally September. Sunday lunch, from 1 – 2 p.m., will made payable to ‘The Noël Coward to ensure that the dates and times quoted here are correct. And then sit back and enjoy ! conclude the conference. Society’) to Barbara Longford, NO PHAY FEVER - 6 Apr to 5 Aug - Starring Judi Dench 16 & 17 Feb - West Meon Players, Village Hall, West All sessions and activities and the use of the LATER THAN Friday 28th April, 2006. and directed by Sir for Bill Kenwright Ltd. at Meon, Nr Petersfield, Hampshire conference rooms are included in the cost for each You will be required to pay the final 40%, the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. First preview - 6th April Tues 25 - Sat 29 July plus sat matinee - Denys Edwards member, for the weekend, and you will also be in July. 2006; Press Night - 19th April 2006. Judi Dench will Players, Theatre Studio, Sheffield provided with: NON UK MEMBERS play the part of Judith Bliss, the delightfully flighty Private Lives Friday: Afternoon Tea, Dinner, overnight Would members travelling from actress who lives with her writer husband and their Theatre Royal, Bath and Duncan Wheldon present a accommodation in a single room with en-suite overseas please send Barbara their credit talented children in an idyllic countryside abode. touring production in February 2006 Starring Julian facilities/tea and coffee making. card details, so that the deposit can be Despite this apparently blissful existence (pun very Whadam and Belinda Lang directed by . Saturday: Full English breakfast, Morning debited from the card. For reasons of much intended), the lives of Judith and her family are Dates include: Coffee, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Cocktail Party on security, they should return the booking not as marvellous and straightforward as they appear; 17 Mar to 1 Apr - New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich the lawn. Dinner (black tie, with cabaret), form by mail/post without giving the something which the assorted guests who visit them 26 May to 4 Nov - Theatre by the Lake, Keswick accommodation as above. credit card number. The number can then during the play can’t help but notice… A number of 7 to 12 Aug - Dawlish Rep. Co., Sunday: Full English breakfast, Morning Coffee, be e-mailed or faxed to Barbara other esteemed actors will be appearing alongside Judi Dawlish, Devon Single room at St. Catherine’s Lunch. (Lunches and dinners are all 3 courses, separately. Dench, including and Belinda Lang. 28 Jan to 4 Feb - Teddington Theatre Club, Hampton waiter served.) SATURDAY EVENING Hill Theatre, Hampton Hill, Mddx. The total cost, per member, including DINNER and CABARET ONLY In the UK... 7 to 11 Feb - Congleton Players, The Daneside Theatre, everything listed above (but not The Society is able to invite Congleton, Cheshire Blithe Spirit including drinks, other than teas and some outside guests to attend the 10 to 15 Jul - Newpalm Productions, , coffees and champagne on Saturday) dinner and cabaret only. N.B.Dress Present Laughter Croydon will be £240 per person in a single en Code: Black Tie/Tuxedo, with no Theatre Royal, Bath and Duncan Weldon present a 5 to 7 Oct & 10 to 14 Oct -Tabs Productions, Chatham suite room. There are a few double overnight accommodation, at a touring production starring . Tour dates: Theatre, Kent, Pomegranate Theatre, Chesterfield rooms available and the cost for a second cost of £50 per person. The guests 20 Jul to 13 Aug - Incisor Productions, St Anns Well person sharing a double room will be must be invited by an NCS From 03 to 08 Apr gardens, Brighton £200 for the weekend. Therefore, the member. This is also indicated on Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham 3 to 5 Jun - Mulberry Theatre Co.,Village Hall, double room weekend rate will be £440, the booking form. BO: (01242) 572 573 Part of one of the four large conference Doveridge, Derbyshire for two people. N.B. Unfortunately, there are no 10th to 15th Apr seminar rooms 1 to 3 Jun - Wycliff Drama Group, Lutterworth Sixty percent of the college charges lifts in our conference suite, which Theatre Royal, Newcastle Community College, Lutterworth, Leicestershire must be paid by the Society on 1st June, 2006, so that is up two short flights of stairs. BO: 0870 905 5060 5 to 10 Jun - The Nonentities Society, The Rose Thatre, percentage of deposit is now required from the members. Receipt of cheques/credit card details will be acknowledged. 17th to 29th Apr and 1 to 6 May Kidderminster, Worcestershire Please would you be kind enough to complete the booking Barbara Longford. Cambridge 26 to 29 Apr - Ponteland Repertory Society, Memorial BO: (01223) 503333 hall, Ponteland, Northumberland Theatre Royal Bath 17 to 21 Oct - Cotswold players, The Cotswold 29 May to 3 Jun Playhouse, Stroud, Gloucestershire Noël Coward’s “Standards” 11 to 13 May - Haslemere Thespians, The Haslemere By Dominic Vlasto BO: 0870 060 6651 Hall, Haslemere, Surrey 4 to 27 May - Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold nce upon a time – in fact, some seven or eight years PRS makes payments (with detailed statements) of 10 to 12 May - Pathead Players. Community Hall, ago now, in those distant and innocent days before royalties to UK copyright owners four times a year. These Pathead, Midlothian Tonight At 8.30 the inception of the Noël Coward Society - I was PRS "Distributions" variously cover payments of royalties for 30 Mar to 1 Apr & 5 to 8 Apr - Freshford Musical drama Festival Theatre's summer season. In the O trying to get something that was eventually called broadcasts, recorded and live public performances of all kinds Group, Memorial Hall, Freshford, Bath Minerva Theatre, Noël Coward's Tonight at 8.30 will be ‘The Noël Coward Music Index’ published as a book. Over except stage performances, and film soundtrack uses of 16 to 25 Nov - Stonegate Amateur dranatic Society, playing in two triple bills from 13th July - 2nd Sep. the preceeding years, in the course of researching the work, I musical works. For any member of PRS (this includes Village Hall, Stonegate, East Sussex Part 1 The Astonished Heart (, Red had come to know Joan Hirst, whom I visited regularly to Coward), they also cover Waiting In The Wings Peppers, The Astonished Heart) check the Estate’s music collection, and later also Graham both the UK market and 25 Jun to 2 Jul - New Venture Theatre, Brighton Part 2 Shadow Play (Hands Across the Sea, Shadow Payn. We met from time to time during his London visits, and all such performances 18 to 20 May - Wadhurst Dramatic Club, Play, ) Public Booking opens on Mon 27th he was charmingly patient when asked to rack his brains for overseas, where each Commemoration Hall, Wadhurst, East Sussex February. For audiences to get a head start, the Friend’s answers to points of arcane musical detail. Graham was country has a similar 29 Mar to 1 Apr - Barton Drama Group, Village Hall, scheme at only £30 offers a priority booking period and unstinting in supporting the work, and at this point in my royalty collection society, Barton, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire great discounts. Tickets start at just £10 (Children go research he allowed me a unique insight into the commercial all of which collect Hay Fever half price) available from the box office on 01243 side of the Noël Coward music catalogue. royalties on each others' 7 to 11 Feb - Exeter Uni. Theatre Co., Northcote 781312 or online at www.cft.org.uk. The problem was a simple one of mere curiosity: for the behalf and which are Theatre, Exeter Index I thought it would be interesting to have a “popularity then forwarded to the 13 to 25 May - Whitefield Garrick Soc. , Star Quality rating” of how much, or in what proportion, the various songs composer's “home” Whitefield 8 Jun 2006 - 4 Sep 2006 Ian Dickens Productions Ltd – in the Noël Coward catalogue were actually being performed Society. So the PRS 23 to 25 Mar - Bovingdon players, The Memorial Hall, tour today. An impossible project, you might think, but I had an statements for Coward’s Bovingdon, Hertfordshire The Marquise idea how it might be answered: my very first job, back in the music would give a truly 11 to 14 May - The Priory Players, The Maltings Arts 3 to 8 Apr - Arundel players, The Priory theatre, late-Seventies/early Eighties, was as a music specialist for the worldwide picture of Centre, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland Arundel. West Sussex UK copyright agency, The Performing Right Society (PRS), so how much his music was 13 to 18 Mar - The Swan Theatre Co. The Swan Theatre, Relative Values I knew that the answer to this puzzle could well lie somewhere ‘Poor Little Rich Girl’ Noël’s being performed. Yeovil, Somerset 7 to 18 Jun - Highbury Theatre Centre, Highbury Little within the PRS royalty returns to the Coward Estate. This is first genuine ‘hit’, and still a Thanks to Graham, I 22 to 24 Feb - Eton College, Eton College, Caccia

ON? WHAT’S Theatre, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands how the system works: ‘standard’ today was allowed to examine Studio, Eton, Nr. Windsor, Berkshire

Page 2 Page 11 The Actor's Church the PRS returns over a four-year period 1993-1997 to the songwriters of the twentieth century, ‘Let’s Face the Music – REMEMBERED Friday, June 30th, 2006 Coward Estate. The PRS statements deal in some detail with the Golden Age of Popular Song’, Green identifies ‘I’ll Follow the precise origin and type of performance giving rise to each My Secret Heart’ as a strong contender to be considered “the here is an opportunity to remember royalty payment, and the vast majority of such payments are loveliest of all Coward’s pieces, the perfect marriage of words and celebrate the life of Graham Payn clearly attatched to a particular title. One was often able to and music, the ravishing upwards swoops of the melodic line at a memorial service for him at identify the precise circumstances of an individual song’s matched by the deeply moving unspoiled sincerity of the St. Paul's, The Actor's Church in T performance or broadcast, e.g. its date, location of words ... one of that group of Coward compositions which Covent Garden on Friday, June 30th, 2006. performance premises, duration of broadcast, broadcasting transcends its environment, its time and place, to become one The service is open to the public and begins at station, etc, etc. of the great standard songs of the modern era, its musical 11.00 am. Our thanks to all those who It was therefore not hard to arrive at a straightforward rank beauty melting into the depth of its poetic emotion”. contributed their thoughts and memories about order of the “worth” of the Coward titles worldwide, simply “If ‘I’ll Follow My Secret Heart’ expresses the idea of Graham, to our website page dedicated to him. by logging the performances and then adding up the total romantic idealism at the outset of it’s long journey”, Green The photograph here is one of several taken royalties earned by each individual title over the four-year continued, “then ‘If Love Were All’ tells of the end of that when Graham met NCS members at his hotel period. For my own interest, I then “tested” a ranked list of journey, ending in defeat and loneliness but not quite complete in London in 2001. titles on various friends with varying levels of knowledge of disillusion.” It is a song of controlled desire, Coward’s Robert Gardiner welcomes Graham Payn to the Coward repertoire, and sorted the list into broad categories famous “heigh-ho, we must rise above it and press on with the 2001 NCS event. defined both by the works' earnings and their (or lack of life” philosophy perfectly and poignantly expressed. It may it). There was sufficient demarkation between the totals of owe some of its popularity to the fact that it is the origin of all STARS AT Terry also includes a pre-war amounts earned by the “Top 28” titles for them to emerge into those ubiquitous ‘Talent to Amuse’ titles, and may rather too cigarette card of Gertrude a precise rank order. often be considered to be significantly autobiographical. It THE ACTORS’ CHURCH Lawrence. This will take many of The complete list now exists as Appendix 3 of The Noël happened, nevertheless, to be the last song which Coward us back to our childhoods. I Coward Music Index (see the Society website), but for here himself ever performed in public (at Claridge's, in November remember my father having a large perhaps we can content ourselves with the “Top Ten”, those 1972), thus becoming his own musical epitaph whether he box of cigarette cards that I used to songs leading the list which have both become generally intended it or not. root through, hour on hour, finding popular and which have consistently achieved good The two top comedy numbers are, I think, unquestionably partial sets of noted cricketers, commercial returns over a period of time – what the music Coward’s best, and therefore also the best of their general footballers, aeroplanes and film and business would define as “a standard”: type: ‘Mad Dogs’ is the quintessence of affectionate mockery theatre stars. combined with complete mastery of the internal-rhyming As with this particular example, comedy list-song form, and ‘Mrs Worthington’ shows a not always a fetching or totally 1. Mad About the Boy (Words And Music, 1932) marvellously taut dramatic progression, from genuine accurate likeness of the person but 2. I'll See You Again (, 1929) politeness at the start to “tearing bloody rage” by the fourth part of an age long gone when 3. Mad Dogs and Englishmen (Words And Music, 1932) refrain. ‘A Room With a View’ is a simple, unaffected and cinema, newspapers, magazines and 4. If Love Were All (Bitter Sweet, 1929) elegant song (whatever Alexander Woolcott and Harpo Marx these ‘free’ collectables were the 5. Someday I'll Find You (Private Lives, 1930) may have thought at the time!) with classic Coward elisions only contact most of us had with 6. I'll Follow My Secret Heart (Conversation Piece, 1934) between the lengths of musical and lyric phrases. ‘Poor Little the stars! 7. London Pride (1941) Rich Girl’, Coward’s first genuine “hit” in 1925, is actually Terry Trimmer 8. A Room With a View (This Year of Grace! 1928) quite a moralistic diatribe, but it quickly became an iconic 9. Mrs Worthington (1934) song of the ‘20s and one so difficult to sing in a flat, listless erry Trimmer has sent us photographs of two of the 10. Poor Little Rich Girl (On With The Dance, 1925) way that it is as if the composer has contrived somehow to ‘stars’ set in the pathway leading to St. Paul’s, Covent WHITE CLIFFS Unseen build into the structure an invisible dynamo which impels the Garden, the “Actors’ Church”. These stars are of How interesting melody. Can there be much doubt that ‘London Pride’ is, T course of huge significance to us. Terry reminds us ne might feel sorry for those who live in a house that, for all simply, the single greatest musical contribution to the Second that they were laid O once inhabited by The Master. Blue plaques aside it Coward’s reputation World War? The song expresses the true rhetoric of deeply- to commemorate must be frustrating at times to see ‘hoards of middle-aged as a witty held sentimental regard, and Norman Hackforth, who first 50 years of ITV women...’ where have we heard that before? - outside one’s wordsmith, the performed it with (the British dwelling. A friend of the Society recently went to see White waltz genre leads Coward, thought it commercial Cliffs and took this photograph. Noël bought the house at St. the fold with three “one of the greatest television Margaret's Bay from his friend the Hon. Kay Norton in 1945. out of the ten, ‘I’ll patriotic songs ever consortium) The It was built so close to the sea that the waves lapped the walls See You Again’, written, gentle and artists featured of his bedroom, and the cliffs rose steeply behind the house. “I ‘Someday I’ll Find understated, and come from or don't think I can fail to be happy here” he said, and was so You’ and ‘I’ll however cynical represent different taken with that he decided to move in straight away. Follow My Secret you may fancy spheres of the It is hidden from prying eyes at the end of a row of buildings - Heart’. Some of us yourself to be, you entertainment the arrow shows it is impossible now to view its frontage. may remember can’t send this one world. Its a bit like Steve Ross giving up.” the Hollywood his opinion that “I The situation ‘Walk of Fame,’ don’t believe regarding 'Mad except this is a temporary affair. anybody, with the About the Boy' is ‘I’ll See You Again,’ The metal stars are laid into possible exception of that in terms of probably over time Noël’s most stones on the original pathway those Strauss boys earnings before popular number still undisturbed underneath. The over in Vienna, ever 1991 it sat fairly poetry of the leaves surrounding wrote such beguiling waltzes”, and this opinion is shared by comfortably in the Mrs Worthington a marvellously taut the stars provides an almost Benny Green. In his very worthwhile book about the great “somewhere in the Photo: ISally Marais dramatic progression poetical setting. second ten” Page 10 Page 3 category - not quite a “standard”, not series on BBC Radio 4, which “Top Ten” but certainly broadly- may be said to reflect its current ACADEMY AWARD WINNER known and very regularly performed. status as an iconic song – and that e offer heartfelt congratulations to Society Dinah Washington’s recording of the broadcast alone will certainly member, John Canemaker on winning an Academy song was licensed for use in have helped it maintain its Award for best animated short film. John is Theatre Museum to Close? advertising film soundtracks during position. W internationally recognized in 1991, and sudden pre-eminence was The top ten works, with the the field of animation. As an achieved during 1992 when the slight exception of ‘London author he has written ten Levis Jeans advertisement had huge Pride’, all lie within a ten-year books on the subject, and exposure worldwide, thus generating pre-War period. Does this mean countless articles for an entirely new stream of royalties. that Coward’s best musical work newspapers and magazines. Due to the success of that advertising was all pre-War? I think not While developing his skills as campaign, other advertisements used necessarily – it is just that all an animator, he also the same song again, and it has also these songs help to encapsulate maintained a busy career as continued ever since to generate that particular pre-War era, and an actor, working in theatre, respectable amounts of royalties on the tiniest snatch of any of them doing commercials and the mechanical rights from all on radio or television, particularly appearing in his own he AGM home of NCS is under threat of closure. A subsequent re-recordings of Dinah if it features Coward’s own voice, television show. He formed campaign speaheaded by Dame Judi Dench and other Washington's cover version. More lends an almost tangible flavour his own production company theatre stars needs your support to secure its future. exposure of the song in these to the association of images. Of in 1981 and since then his films have been shown at animation T Dame Judi Dench is among a list of actors who have contexts also significantly boosted all periods that he graced, festivals all over the world. John frequently lectures at called for the Victoria and Albert's (V&A) historical Theatre the subsequent level of live and Coward’s was the voice of the universities and is the Museum to be saved from closure. Dame , Vanessa broadcast performances by others. cynical, ‘Bright Young Things’ of head of the Animation Redgrave and Peter Bowles also signed the letter which At the time of compiling the those years and therefore became Department at Tisch appeared in newspaper. information for the Index the song one of the period’s most effective School of the Arts at New It said they were “horrified” that the museum could close was earning at least four times as musical reminders. York University. and its valuable collection be broken up and “would be no much as ‘I’ll See You Again’, the Coward’s later musical work His films are in the longer available to the public”. V&A trustees are expected to Mad About The Boy next highest number on the list which continues to operate at an permanent collection at decide the museum's fate very soon. The actors' letter added the runaway winner since 1992 for over half a century had held astonishingly effective level and the Museum of Modern they thought it was “astonishing” that the Theatre Museum, in undisputed sway at the top, and which might with justification to encapsulate Coward himself, partly due to its continuing Art in New York. London's Covent Garden, could be closed “without adequate be considered, over time, the “real number one”. strong autobiographical influences and the trueness of his His Award winning consultation with either museum users or theatre I am led to understand that ‘Mad About The Boy’ was still poetic voice. On this evidence, however, there can be no 28-minute film, The practitioners”. maintaining its leading position in the PRS Distributions in doubt that had he not survived the war, he’d still have had his Moon and the Son: An John Canemaker and They called for “adequate funding” to develop the 2004-05. During the summer of 2004, the song was featured place marked for musical posterity. Imagined Conversation. his co-producer Peggy Stern museum's current site and “make even more of its outstanding as the subject for the lead programme in the ‘Soul Music’ Dominic Vlasto will be shown on receiving their Oscars collections available”. The actors said it should remain near HBO/Cinemax in June. London's West End and the heart of theatreland, saying it Ken Starrett would be lost if it was moved to the V&A's main site in South The Chichester Festival of Music and The Arts Kensington. If you would like to help save this centre of excellence in he Chichester Festival features husband in Fumed Oak, Coward played NOËL COWARD IN TEXAS the heart of London’s Theatreland then join: six one act plays from the against type as the worm who turns against Artie Olaisen, Society member in Texas, theatrical compedium his domineering wife and carping daughter. reports on a healthy interest in Noël Coward. T Tonight at 8.30 presented in two See both parts of Tonight at 8.30 and SAVE THE THEATRE MUSEUM performances save 20% Last spring Theatre Britain in Dallas presented Hay Fever. http://www.theatremuseum.org Tonight at 8.30 was first produced in Box Office on 01243 781312 In November, Theatre Three in Dallas produced I’ll Leave It and urgently write and email the following: 1935, reuniting Coward with his beloved Lucy Bailey is the Director To You, written in 1920. This production is, perhaps, the first Paula Ridley OBE, Chair of Trustees muse and stage partner Gertrude Sponsored by:The Arts Club - time this play has ever been done in the United States. Victoria & Albert Museum Lawrence. Noël conceived the series of http://www.theartsclub.co.uk In addition, Theatre Three gave audiences a musical tribute to 69 Thomas More House, Barbican triple-bills to allay, for him and Gertie, Coward called A Talent To Amuse. Also in November, Stage the very real monotony of performing the London EC2Y 8BT Coward in the 21st Century West in near-by Fort Worth presented, Private Lives. Happily, email: [email protected] same script night after night. The plays the interest in Coward continues to grow. . are perfect little gems, each a feast in Marcy Kahan and Jonathan Altaras itself, an exquisite, exciting discovery. V&A Trustee/Chair Man. Committee, Theatre Museum These two triple bills can be seen in Minerva Theatre Coward Sketches Flat 1 either order. Coward called Family Thursday 27 July - 6:00 pm The Renegade Theatre in Washington, DC is known for 27 Bolton St. Album 'a sly satire on Victorian Tickets are free but please book at the presenting comedies, satires, and original material. In March W1J 8BW hypocrisy' and described as Box Office 01243 781312 they presented two Noël Coward sketches: email; [email protected] 'a vaudeville sketch sandwiched in One of radio's wittiest dramatists, and an Weatherwise, written as an after-piece to his play Home Chat and between two parodies of music-hall NCS member, Marcy Kahan has written a when revived in 1932 and Rules of Three written for This Year David Lammy songs'. The Astonished Heart, looking at quartet of biographical comedies about Noël of Grace in 1928. It is most likely this is the first production Minister for Culture a renowned psychiatrist's obsessive love for a woman who is Coward for Radio 4. Her talk will examine of these sketches since their original presentations - a Department for Culture, Media and Sport(DCMS) not his wife, is an altogether more intense work. how the Tonight at 8.30 plays form a fascinating compendium wonderful chance to see rarely-performed Coward works. 2-4, Cockspur Street Hands Across the Sea is a gentle comedy of confused of Coward's life, obsessions and philosophy. Website for London SW1Y 5DH identities whilst Shadow Play is a musical fantasy, bitter-sweet Chichester Festival Theatre :http://www.cft.org.uk/index.asp Ken Starrett and profoundly moving. In the character of the browbeaten email: [email protected] Page 4 Page 9 a short ramble through the Editor’s activities The first of a series of articles on Coward Conversation piece... Theatre Spotlight plays produced by smaller companies uring the last few weeks I seem to have spent an interminable age transferring vinyl recordings on to challenge of not working within the confines of a “box” set. the NCS computer and thereby ‘digitising’ them - a DESIGN FOR LIVING We actively sought to use the theatre space to give a flavour of the period rather than a present a literal interpretation of a Dterm that has a slightly salacious ring about it but in As London’s location. Barrie suggested the work of Syrie Maugham, Cecil fact may be one of the most important things I will do for the Tower Theatre Beaton and Elsie DeWolfe as starting points and, using Society this year... surely not I hear you cry (all three of you) Company tackles Google, I found a range of images illustrating settings, no truly... let me explain. Coward’s classic furniture, fabrics, etc. which enabled me to give him the basis Last month Alan Farley spotted an item on eBay, the “Design for for the final design”. ubiquitous virtual auction house that that dominates our Living” for the B.A. “Exploring themes from the play, I particularly wanted selling habits here in Norfolk (I have it as a fact that Norfolk first time in its to develop the theme of Otto being an artist and Gilda his people are the leading users of eBay in the UK - hardly a flat long and muse. I spoke to artist Tess Walsh about producing 3 portraits market then!) The item was a collection of 17, 13” recordings distinguished of Gilda, which would complement the settings in each of the that were made in 1946 for Noël’s Radio broadcasts by Harry history, Director 3 acts. Additionally, we decided to represent each city by the Alan Towers. Thanks to Alan’s generosity we were able to Barrie use of a motif based on travel posters from the relevant era”. purchase the recordings for the Society. Addenbrooke J.C. ”Having found There is one recording of ‘Uncle Harry’ by Noël Coward and Designer icons that that contains the alternative lyrics that are noted in Barry Jude Chalk represented the 3 Day's ‘Complete Lyrics' this particular recording may not have discuss their cities, we been heard before. There is an orchestral overture (medley) vision for approached artist and songs by Graham Payn, Joyce Grenfell and one other bringing this Scott Lipscomb to female singer that has not, as yet, been identified. The 17 discs Flapper produced this compilation from broadcasts made complex play to translate these into came with their original metal box for protection. by Coward as part of his Centenary Celebrations. the stage. paintings of images In 1999 Flapper brought out a compilation of extracts from B.A. “My I had never seen Coward’s that would various radio broadcasts made by Coward. Alan Farley and original concept was based on the triangle, inherent in any play until conceptualise the Dominic Vlasto the writers of The Noël Coward Music Index play featuring a ménage a trios. Whichever angle one look at the ‘Great Hall - theatre in the locations. These will have allowed me to hear a much larger set of recordings of round’ performed it in mid- Coward’s broadcasts amongst which are some of the tracks on be mounted onto a March. It was a successful triangular prism that the purchased recordings. ‘Uncle Harry’ is included in this production with some notable compilation but the orchestral accompaniment appears to be will form the performances. Vernon Brooks backdrop to the different. We are still investigating so as we progress with this in the Coward/Gielgud role of project Dominic Vlasto will have more to say about these play”. Sebastien was stolid and B.A. “ We hope that recordings and Coward’s radio broadcasts in general. showed exceptional flair with As if this were not enough the Society has spent some time the combination of the multi-lingual requirements dramatic design and considering whether we will be able to issue a private of the part, Georgette Vale as recording we hold of the Midnight Matinee celebration of use of colour and Marie-Celeste was an attention to period Coward’s 70th birthday that took place on 16th December, absolute joy - she could not 1969 at the Phoenix Theatre, London. The show was detail will contribute to realising a production that is stylish, have been more French - is thought provoking and entertaining”. compered by and and she a French native? - she certainly ought to be. Matthew follows Coward’s career as described in Sheridan Morley’s Design for Living runs at The , Bride Lane, Pinkerton who I saw play Crestwell in The Maddermarket Fleet Street, EC4Y 8EQ - from Tuesday 25th April to Coward biography. It uses Noël’s prose, verse and songs and this play, you always return to the number 3; 3 acts, 3 cities, 3 production of Relative Values last year was redoubtable. The Saturday 29th April at 7.45pm with a Matinee on 29th April at new variations of some of his best known works, amended for main characters, and 3 words in the title!” ‘jewel of a part’ Cherry-May Waterton appears after the 3.00pm. Early booking advised - BO: 0207 226 3633 the night! Over 120 musicians, actors, singers and theatre staff interval. Tracey Rimmer played her long, lustful looks at J.C. “To a certain extent, the theatre space influences how one took part with notable perfomances by Irene Worth, Danny La Fabrice to perfection! A great evening and well-performed ‘in can realise the Director’s vision. Rue, Susannah York, , Joyce Grenfell, Michael the round’ in a set replete with desirable antique furniture. The Bridewell Theatre was Denison, William Blezzard, Peter Graves, Tony Britton, Celia Cast originally a Victorian swimming Johnson, Mark Wynter, Stanley Holloway, , Sebastien Lacreole ...... Vernon Brooks baths and the balcony, supported , , Maggie Fitzgibbon, Marie-Celeste ...... GeorgetteVale by pillars around the edge of the , Una Stubbs, Cliff Richard, Cleo Laine and Clinton Preminger Junior ...... Peter Daniel now covered pool, still remains; Johnny Dankworth, the list is almost endless. Isobel Sorodin ...... Myra Burgess which creates a striking space In recent months we have received a copy of a radio Jane Sorodin ...... Anna Wakefield visually but is a challenge for a Set broadcast of Red Peppers given to Ken Starrett, who Colin Sorodin ...... Matthew Pinkerton Designer”. presented copies to all those members who attended the Pamela Sorodin ...... Kar Oakley B.A. “I made the decision early on Coward birthday celebrations in New York last year. This is Jacob Friedland ...... Terry Card to make the production; set and Photographs: Ian Cole now on the Members’ Page of the website as are copies of Anya Pavlikov ...... Elva Pryal costumes, black and white. The Alan Farley’s famed birthday broadcasts of Coward and his Cherry-May Waterton ...... Tracey Rimmer period of the play suggested Art work and his noted January 2006 special on Graham Payn Fabrice ...... Dan De Dozsa Deco and by uniting these 2 following his sad death last year. George ...... Dave Shiret elements, we then had a wide So for the next few months we shall stay immersed in Lauderdale ...... Jake Gover range of source materials to vinyl and digital transfer - a modern process to bring to life Ollie Taylor research”. the splendours of the theatre and radio past of Noël Coward. I Directed by Peter James J.C. “Having worked together can think of worse things to do! John Knowles before, we both enjoy the

Page 8 Page 5 A report from Elizabeth A Place where time stands still Sharland on Noël’s Information from Firefly with BLUE HARBOUR Jamaican home. AND FIREFLY pictures by Adrian Boot fter arriving in Kingston we were met by one of the villas can accomodate between them up to fourteen people. ir Noël Coward first visited his beloved Jamaica in bought the bats, balls, pads and stumps necessary to complete drivers from Blue Harbour. It was a Friday afternoon, We ate on the balcony overlooking the sea. There are six January of 1944 and became instantly addicted. the scheme. so there was heavy traffic on the route around the city Jamaicans on staff and you can also go and help yourself to Returning in 1948, he bought several acres of Coward found that Firefly provided him with the much ASinto the Blue Mountains. The road was good until the early-morning coffee or to a cup of afternoon tea in the pantry. seafront and set about building ‘Blue Harbour’, his needed quiet to work. Here he wrote his 50th play Waiting in last ten miles where it was unpaved and the rain has washed The owners have restored the old cedar kitchen cabinets in the first Jamaican home. He had wanted it in layers extending up the Wings and the novel Pomp and Circumstance – about a away some of the surface, so there were huge pot-holes and pantry to a gleaming finish, and the old-world feel of the place the hill but the contractors had ignored his wishes and just mythical island and its inhabitants, curiously not unlike bumps which the driver deftly manipulated. Because of this is still there. built it straight up. He still loved the spot, but they say he was Jamaica. The cover of this book is a painting, by Coward, of we were pleased we had decided not to hire a car and more Next day we went up to visit Firefly - most Noël Coward furious! Jamaicans walking along the stretch of road between Blue especially because there very few road signs and the house Society members are familiar with thc history of Coward's last In May of the same year, high above Blue Harbour, he Harbour and Port Maria. In his diaries he wrote: “the peace of would have been almost impossible to find. The scenery was home and where his grave is located. The driver who drove us bought a roofless, old stone house on two acres of land. working up here, the lovely long mornings and the fabulous magnificent and we passed through numerous small villages back to Kingston was a different one from the one who drove Later, his great friend Blanche Blackwell (mother of Island moonlight nights ablaze with fireflies are really too and banana plantations. We arrived at Blue Harbour two hours us there. His name is Uton Hinds, a local Jamaican writer. He Jamaica’s Chris Blackwell), decided the acres were not enchanting to consider saying goodbye forever.” later and were delighted to be greeted by the owners Michael told us about the book he wrote called “The Jacob Ladder”, enough to give him privacy, and gave him another 10 acres of On the 26th March, 1973 Noël Coward died at Firefly and and Michele Gleeson who were there on one of their visits which evidently was on best-seller list land as a gift. The house was called ‘Look Out’ and had, at was later laid to rest there. He left his estate to close friends from their American home, some years ago. It is his life story about one time, been owned by Captain Henry Morgan who used its Graham Payn and Cole Lesley who, in turn, donated it to they are not normally in growing up in Jamaica and how he was fabulous view to spy on the Spanish treasure fleets heading Jamaica. Chris Blackwell later became involved – after a residence. inspired by Coward. It seemed that all the Blue toward Havana. In fact, it came complete with its letter to suggest this There are three villas on Harbour staff are fully aware of exactly how own rifle-firing slits and an escape tunnel! was sent to him by the estate. Thc main house legendary the place is and wish to keep it that Coward was soon to rename his second home Payn. Coward’s is called Villa Grande way. But it may be just a matter of time before ‘Firefly’ as a wish was that which has two floors. The the developers arrive. consequence of the Firefly remain main floor has the sitting- Elizabeth sent us a copy of the welcome shimmering light, untouched, and so it room, kitchen and large sheet to guests to Blue Harbour. It is interesting appearing to cover has: just as he left it verandah where we ate our in what it reveals of the relaxed style of the the sea, given by the in 1973. His former meals. Thc second floor place. “We would like to acquaint you with the infinite amount of home and gracious has two bedrooms, one was names of our staff and their fireflies. Twelve gardens are Coward's bedroom and the functions. Someone on the hundred feet above impeccably other presumably Cole staff is available 24 hours a the coastline, Lesley's when he was alive. day if there are any problems spreading to all Some of the original or requests. points with the most furniture is still there, Staff: Leroy: Headman & spectacular view in including Coward's four- Blue Harbour Maintenance; Jamaica, it became poster bed and desk. Both Security Rov:Maintenance; his escape and fed rooms open out on to the Groundskeeper; Security his craving for a large balcony which has a Mark: Waiter; Busman & private and creative magnificent view of the Chief Gofer existence. The ocean, the mountains and Morris:Nightman; Security & single bedroom of course the coastline of Maintenance Candy:Chef; declared his intent: surf and beaches. There Cooking & Housekeeping the guests stayed at was a full moon when we were Services Merlene:Cooking & Blue Harbour and he up above! there, so the moonlight coming Housekeeping Services Coward was a much loved man across the water was an added treat. Meals: Fresh Blue Mountain and a great entertainer. During these We were given Coward's room Coffee & Tea is available years, many fashionable and well- which had the original wooden Above: Elizabeth daily from 6 am. known persons visited the island, shutters, overhead fan and wood Sharland and below her Breakfast: A full breakfast of many of whom he invited to stay at floors still as they were fifty years holiday party recreates fresh orange juice. assorted Blue Harbour: Kate Hepburn, , Laurence maintained ago. The whole scenc seemed like a Cecil Beaton’s famous fruits & Jamaican or American Olivier, Liz Taylor, Peter O' Toole, Sean Connery, Sophia and managed picture on the verandah paradise. style breakfast is served with Loren, Charlie Chaplin and even the Queen Mother! She by Island at Blue Harbour. Next day we were shown over toast and jams at 9 am’ish visited him in the February of 1965 and was utterly delighted Oupost as a the property. Even though the two little guest villas were daily. Lunch: A light lunch of soups; sandwiches, parties or with both of his residences. tour attraction: occupied, the guests allowed us to take photos. The Villa pizza is served daily at 1 pm’ish. Dinner: A full course dinner His relationship with the local people was also very warm a popular site for visitors from around the world who want to Chica is where , Marlene Dietrich and the of fresh seafood, poultry or meats is served daily at 6 pm. If and friendly but what he loved was that no-one would bother see the beloved home of one's of the world's greatest writers, Lunts stayed, and the Villa Rose on the other side of the huge you wish to take your dinner earlier or later you can discuss it him. In Jamaica he had all the privacy he needed and the and also serves as an unsurpassed location for very special garden is where Coward's study was. There are steps down to with the kitchen staff. press left him alone. He liked to sit in the middle of Port events. Today, Firefly is of a considerable historical the swimming pool from each villa and a pretty path along to Meals are usually announced by the ringing of the meal bell, a Maria and get his cut while people went about their importance to Jamaica. A great symbolic and spiritual power the beach which is about a hundred yards from the pool. The signal that it' s fresh and ready to eat. business. He would regularly give money to the local point, it was found to be a significant burial site for the Taino main house is where Coward's books and photos are kept, and If you have special food requests or specific vegetarian or communities - making sure children had school uniforms and Indians, the indigenous persons of the island. Perhaps Noël in the evening we listened to stories that the local House vegan needs or preferences, please tell Candy, the chef, and money to purchase their books - and when Blanche Coward felt these energies. He loved Jamaica and perhaps Manager, Leroy, told about the history of the place. The three state your requests.” Elizabeth Sharland Blackwell donated a piece of land for a cricket pitch, Coward truly found his home when he found Firefly.

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