WHAT’S ON? ACROSS THE GLOBE ... America & Canada 31 Jul to 24 Nov The Shaw Festival Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario Canada OCTOBER www.shawfest.sympatico.ca Directed by Christopher Newton 2002 Blithe Spirit 20 Sep to 4 Oct Burlington Little Theatre, 770, Drury Lane, Burlington, Ontario, L7R 2Y2 18 Oct to 2 Nov Binbrook little Theatre inc. PO Box 74, Binbrook Ontario, L0R 1C0 24 Oct to 9 Nov North Vancouver Community Players, North Vancouver, BC THE BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE NOËL COWARD SOCIETY 25 Oct to 2 Nov On Kew Players, Toronto, Ontario 1 to 2 Nov Daysland Little Theatre Company, PO Box 325, Daysland Alberta, T0B 1A0 24 Apr to 10 May 2003 Whitby Courthouse Theatre, Whitby, Ontario Waiting In The Wings 16 Sep to 5 Oct Ottawa Little Theatre, King Edward Avenue, Ottawa, ON SOCIETY EVENTS 2002/2003 2 to 19 Oct Nanaimo Theatre Group, Nanaimo, BC As the Society’s calendar moves towards the end of the year when we celebrate the birth of The Master, we need to be 15 to 19 Oct Saskatoon Gateway Players, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan aware of the significance of the year 2003 to Coward devotees. March 26th will mark 30 years since Noël Coward’s Hay Fever 7 to 19 Jun The New Harmony Theatre Opening, New Harmony Indiana. death and September 6th, 50 years since the loss of his lifelong friend Gertrude Lawrence. The Society plans to mark 24 Jun to 31 Aug Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, Utah, USA. More info: www.bard.org. these anniversaries with a number of events that we hope will be of interest to you and your friends. Europe and audience alike. Le beau monde, Song At Twilight (Poste Restante) 9 Sep continuing Palais Royal, Saturday 14th December his twenty-fifth birthday.” Nude With Violin Entity Theatre Workshop Annual General Meeting at from Lady Louis Mountbatten to the © Estate of Cole lesley 1976 23 Jan to 1 Feb 2003 The Aula Theatre, Munich, Germany The Theatre Museum omnipresent Eddie Marsh, turned out in force and in full fig, braving 15 Feb 2003 Black Box Theatre, Gasteig, Germany with Flower-Laying at Drury the icy weather, the hazards of the Sept 2003 Edouard VII Theatre, Paris Lane, Lunch and Australasia journey to darkest Hampstead and Design For Living Nov - Dec State Theatre Co of South Australia, Adelaide the discomforts of the tiny, hard- // 2003 (TBC) Queensland Theatre Co. Optus Playhouse, Brisbane There are four parts to this year’s seated theatre. White ties and jewels Blithe Spirit 28 to 31 Aug 2003 Tropic Line TheatreTownsville, Queensland, Australia celebration of The Master’s birth that abounded and the coconut matting Melbourne Theatre Co Victoria then national tour 2003 TBC will take place on Saturday 14th went unnoticed, for it could not be The Rest of the World December. Please join us for all or seen, so great was the crush. The Private Lives Current Pieter Toerien Productions, Cape Town, Grahamstown, Jo’burg, any number of them. The day begins audience was agreeably shocked by 26 Sep to 26 Oct King & Taylor, Durban, South Africa at 10.30 am at the Theatre Museum, the first-act comedy dialogue and United Kingdom Covent Garden with the Annual then genuinely startled by the abrupt Elaine Stritch At Liberty 1 Oct 2002 to 25 Jan 2003 theatre, . General Meeting of the Society. We switch to near- tragedy in the third, Hay Fever 2003 (TBC) New West End production starring Penelope Wilton then take a short stroll to the Theatre and by the highly charged emotional Nude With Violin 7 to 14 June 2003 Stockport Garrick Theatre, Stockport, Cheshire tension of the acting. Lilian’s Noël Coward & Lilian Braithwaite 30 Sep to 5 Oct The Nottingham Theatre Club at The Lace Market Theatre, Nottingham Royal, Drury Lane to lay flowers on in The Vortex sensational breakaway from Cowardy Custard 26 Nov to 1 Dec The Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey 01424 222 801 OR 01932 845 616 the statue of Noël Coward at 12.00 Saturday 29th March 14 to 17 Oct Gawsworth Hall, Cheshire noon. Lunch will follow at Cafe des drawing-room comedy added greatly to the general excitement; Noël cut A Celebration of the 24 to 26 Oct Roydon Players at The Village Hall, Hatfield Heath, Essex Amis, Hanover Place off Floral Life & Work of Noël Coward 31 Oct to 2 Nov Roydon Players at The Village Hall, Roydon, Essex Street, Covent Garden WC2E 9JP at his hand when he swept all the at the Theatre Museum, 17 to 22 Mar 2003 Romsey Operatic and Dramatic Society. The Plaza Theatre, Romsey, Hampshire 1.00pm. The cost £20 for 3 courses bottles off Florence’s dressing-table Brief Encounter Sep onwards Noël Coward / Andrew Taylor - Middle Ground Theatre Co UK Tour includes 1 glass of wine. Then to the in the last act and it obligingly went Covent Garden The Vortex w/b 19 Oct Theatre Royal Bath Productions UK Tour (6-8 weeks) Donmar where we have 20 circle on bleeding, the handkerchief that with Lunch at THE IVY 15 & 16 Nov Queen Mother Theatre, Hitchin, Hertfordshire tickets at £23 each (discounted from bound it becoming redder and redder 22 to 23 Nov Queen Mother Theatre, Hitchin, Hertfordshire during the countless curtain calls. £25) for the 2.30 pm matinee of a For many of us it has been a lifetime 6 & 7 Dec The Little Theatre in Dunstable. revival of The Vortex directed by The novelist Stella Gibbons has ambition to have lunch at The Ivy 5 Dec to 15 Feb 2003 The Donmar Theatre (NCS event see page 1) written: and starring the culinary home of Noël Coward’s The Young Idea 20 to 23 Nov Herald Players at the Electric Theatre, Guildford, Surrey Tickets £7.50 I was present at the very first Francesca Annis and Chjwetel ‘Bright Young Things’ between the (concs. £6) available from box office tel: 01483 444789 performance of The Vortex in a little 9 Oct Pyrford Little Theatre at The Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking, Surrey Ejiofor.This play put Coward on the wars and for the glitteratti ever since. kind of converted drill-hal1 in This event celebrates the life and Brief Encounter Current and 30 Nov 2002 to 30 Apr 2003 London theatre map as a writer, Hampstead and remember how shocked Noël Coward / Andrew Taylor - Middle Ground Theatre Co UK Tour director and actor. The pre-Christmas I was at the drug-addict boy (he would work of Noël Coward and marks the Design for Living 19 Oct Theatre Royal Bath Productions UK Tour (6-8 weeks) bustle of Covent Garden will provide have been called a Drug Fiend in those 30 years since his death on March A Song at Twilight 24 Jan to 8 Feb 2003 Perth Theatre Company Box Office 01738 621031 www.perththeatre.co.uk a wonderful atmosphere for this days by ordinary people) and ever since 26th, 1973. We have planned lunch Red Peppers 3 to 7 Dec Folkestone, Hythe Operatic and Drama Society. Sandgate, Folkeston, Kent annual event - do join us! A booking I have had so much enduring pleasure in the function room upstairs at The 31 May to 7 Jun 2003 Halifax Thespians at The Playhouse, Halifax, West Yorkshire form is enclosed. and laughter from his songs and jokes. Ivy (where John Lahr, Sheridan Blithe Spirit 25 Oct to 2 Nov The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama Cardiff. 029 20 391391 23 to 31 THE VORTEX He seems to me to incarnate the myth of Morley and Philip Hoare discussed 12 Dec to 4 Jan 2003 Brewhouse Theatre Somerset the twenties (gaiety, courage, pain The importance of this play in the Noël in television’s Noël Coward Jan 2003 Torquay Operatic and Dramatic Society at The Little Theatre, Torquay, Devon concealed, amusing malice). Coward collection is reflected in Trilogy). This will be followed by a Private Lives 27 Feb to 29 Mar 2003 Octagon Theatre, Bolton Noël Coward had arrived, and was Cole Lesley’s thoughts on the first special event at The Theatre 5 to 8 Mar 2003 Harrogate Amateur Dramatic Society, Harrogate, Yorkshire. here to stay. Everything about 13 to 29 Mar 2003 Mercury Theatre, Colchester night at Hampstead: Museum, Covent Garden to celebrate himself that he had unswervingly (* denotes Premiere, TBC = To be confirmed) “The first night of The Vortex is the many aspects of Noël’s work. A The Noël Coward Society, 29, Waldemar Avenue, Hellesdon, Norwich, NR6 6TB Email: membership@noëlcoward.net theatrical history; never to be believed would come true came true detailed programme and costs will be Tel: +44 (0)1603 486188 Fax: +44 (0)1603 400683 forgotten by those present, actors in a single night, two weeks before provided nearer to the time. Page 16 EVENTS IN THE PLANNING FOR AMERICA ...

The Society has a large membership work being carried out there. The experts and organizations from in the US who currently only receive Society has already been asked if around the country, all of whom are limited benefit from their member- members would like to attend. Noël eager to help Ten Chimneys ship. We are planning, through our Coward had a bedroom suite there Foundation reach its extraordinary US representatives, to provide some that was reserved for his sole use - a potential. The passion and events in the larger cities. There is design for living one might say! Ten dedication of these advisors attest to no easy way, with a membership Chimneys is at Genesee Depot, the profound impact a restored Ten scattered across this vast country, for Wisconsin, near Milwaukee. For Chimneys will have on this region us to provide events close to every- those who wish to know more about and the nation. one’s home but we hope this start Ten Chimneys, the website can be With their continued enthusiasm and may encourage other members to found at: leadership, and the added support of volunteer to organise an event in http://www.tenchimneys.org/ new friends, we will open to the their part of the US. There is cer- Here is an extract from the website: public in 2003 and begin a tainly no lack of amateur and profes- renaissance at Ten Chimneys. sional performances - with Coward “In 1996, Ten Chimneys came Ten Chimneys is in Wisconsin.” plays and cabaret regularly appear- perilously close to destruction ing in the US and Canada as re- through commercial development. THEATRICAL TOUR OF corded on our own What’s On? Since then, the threat that this NEW YORK pages on the website and the back national treasure might disappear Over the last two editions of Home page of Home Chat. Three possible has been all but eliminated. Thanks Chat we have tried to give a flavour events are being looked at - and with to the generosity and conviction of of the key periods when Noël Cow- the help of our US representatives numerous volunteers and civic ard lived and worked in New York we hope they will be of interest. leaders, Ten Chimneys Foundation from his early intense discussions at now owns the estate and all of its Dr. Rounds boarding House with the FLOWER-LAYING AT THE contents - debt free. Lunts to his early rehearsals for Sail GERSHWIN THEATRE Saving Ten Chimneys from Away in the Penthouse Tower on As stated elsewhere in Home Chat immediate destruction, however, was East 55th Street, during the early 2003 sees 30 years and 50 years, only the first step. Due to the sixties. Ken Starrett has a wide respectively, since the deaths of Noël fragility and continuing deterioration knowledge of the theatres and places Coward and Gertrude Lawrence. of the estate, timely action is where Coward lived and worked and Each year in London we celebrate imperative. We cannot open to the is happy to share this with members Noël Coward’s birthdate with the public until significant restoration in walking tours of New York’s laying of flowers at the Theatre and preservation has been completed theatre district. He hopes to offer to Royal, Drury Lane the home of and modest new facilities have been members and guests an opportunity ‘Cavalcade’ and where one of the built. The Foundation is in the midst to look at the places of significance three Angela Conner statues of Noël of a capital campaign to raise the in Coward’s life from his first visit in Coward are sited. During December funds needed to save Ten Chimneys 1921 to his final appearance in New 2003 we would like to repeat this for future generations. York. ceremony at the sites of the two The vision of Ten Chimneys’ future other statues; one at Firefly, Jamaica continues to excite a diverse group More on all of these events later and the other at the Gershwin Thea- of individuals. Professionals and with costs, arrangements etc. tre in New York on either 16th (The enthusiasts in the fields of theatre, Master’s birthdate), or Saturday 13th history, cultural preservation, If you would like to become a repre- December (the closest Saturday) to decorative arts, gardening, sentative for the Society or you know make attendance easier. Details of conservation, and education are someone who might like to help us in this event will be provided when engaged by the impact a restored this way then please get in touch. We they are finalised. It will be open to Ten Chimneys will have. A team of are looking for more help in the Mid members and guests. nationally recognized experts in West and the major cities other than historic restoration and preservation New York and San Francisco. We THE OPENING OF has helped us develop a have a detailed information and TEN CHIMNEYS comprehensive master plan for support pack to supply to representa- In 2003 the Ten Chimneys Founda- restoration and construction. Our tives with membership forms, back tion are planning to open Ten Chim- program plans and strategies for copies of Home Chat and an infor- neys the home of the Lunts, some public access have been developed mation booklet on Noël Coward and time around May - depending on the in collaboration with numerous the Society. completion of all the restoration Page 2 Page 15 TONIGHT AT 7.30 ... Louise Bell provides a glimpse of the original PETER MATZ 1929-2002 by Dominic Vlasto Peter Matz’s name and musical recalled that “she was shy”, but his test came when Coward asked him reputation would have been secured work for her clearly impressed: the to play the Trolley Song in the for posterity even if the only thing he had achieved in life had been his accompaniments and arrangements for Noël Coward’s cabaret appearances at Las Vegas in 1955. In fact, this lucky break occurred at a very early stage of his career, and he went on not only to do much other notable work with Coward but to maintain a career at the very pinnacle of his profession, making notable contributions to performances and recordings by musicians and singers as varied as , , , Liza Minelli, , , Dione Warwick, , , and (perhaps most notably) . Matz was born in Pittsburgh, and during what he later referred to as his “terrible misguided youth” pursued training in chemical engineering, in which field he gained a degree from UCLA. Music was however always a very strong passion, and during his college years he supported himself by playing woodwinds with dance bands in the area. He was already an accomplished pianist, and upon graduation decided to spend two years in Paris, where he polished his pianistic skills with work in nightclubs, cocktail bars and the Folies Bergere. In 1954 he moved Pete Matz - photograph kindly provided by Alan Farley back to New York to study music following year when Coward’s frightening key of B major, after theory and piano, and gained a job favourite British accompanist, which he asked, “Can you be in Los as rehearsal pianist for Harold Norman Hackforth, was refused a Angeles tomorrow?”. The answer Arlen’s House of Flowers. His work permit for Las Vegas and he was ‘yes’, and rehearsals for Las varied musical skills must have been was desperate to find a replacement, Vegas started just three weeks before exceptional and obvious, as the job Marlene urged him to grab Peter he was due to open. soon expanded to writing Matz at all costs. What followed impressed Matz orchestrations and vocal Coward called Matz from an airport hugely. During the next ten days arrangements for Arlen’s next where he was seeing Marlene off they worked on the Las Vegas musical, Jamaica, starring Lena somewhere, and came to Matz’s material all day every day, and Matz Horne. It was Arlen who introduced apartment to audition him. “I had no said that he learned from Coward Matz to , who idea about his songs or the style of not only the songs but a whole new needed someone to help construct that English Music Hall comedy style of performance. “He made me and accompany her act. Matz thing”, Matz recalled. The crucial Page 14 Page 3 learn, very forcefully, that this was recordings Coward ever made, both highest level as musical director, COMMITTEE & CONTACTS... about comedy. A couple of times he in terms of the quality of recorded composer, arranger, orchestrator and screamed, “Don’t play when I am sound and the timbre, tuning and conductor for Broadway, Hollywood For the benefit of all members here are details of the Society’s Patron, Honorary Officers and Committee. Also making a joke!”, [and] I gradually control of his own voice. The last and - most prolifically - television. included here are the email addresses of those committee members and representatives who are willing to answer learned that this was a whole other recording session in particular Known for inserting musical jokes questions on Noël Coward and his work together with their specialism (sp) or interest PLUS useful contact addresses: kind of music.” At the same time Coward found “exciting”, where into his orchestrations, he made a Patron: Matz was writing the orchestral four songs were accompanied just by 50-year career of musical play while Honorary President: Sir John Mills arrangements for Carlton Hayes’s Matz and a small group of expert earning the respect of singers and Honorary Vice Presidents: Judy Campbell, Moira Lister & Sheridan Morley band, a typical Las Vegas dance instrumentalists on double-bass, audiences and numerous Consultants Philip Hoare & Joel Kaplan band with saxophones and many trumpet, guitar and drums. Half- professional accolades. In his long Chair: Michael Imison (Noël Coward Ltd.) email: [email protected] sp - the plays and productions trumpets and trombones, which Caste Woman and Twentieth Century association with Streisand, Matz Secretary: John Knowles (Noël Coward Ltd.) email: johnknowles@Noëlcoward.net sp - membership of the Society, needed finesse and much discretion Blues both feature a nice jokey Matz won a Grammy for his arrangements Home Chat and the NCS Website if Coward’s lyrics were to be clearly touch - surprising doublings in the for her 1964 album People, an Treasurer: Graham Martin (Blinkhorns) heard. The results were impressive: tempo for the space of one bar in Emmy for her 1965 TV special My Robert Gardiner (Director NC Ltd. & a trustee of the Noël Coward Foundation) Coward wrote in his diaries that their second refrains - while Sail name is Barbra and an Academy Claire Osborne (Warner Chappell) Matz’s “orchestral arrangements and Away, with Matz’s richly chordal Award nomination for best original Geoffrey Skinner (Samuel French) email: [email protected] sp sales of CDs and books. variations are incredible - vital and piano figurations, produces a score for her 1975 film . Stewart Nicholls (Theatre Producer/Director) imaginative. Sometimes they go too surprisingly lush lyricism from such He arranged and conducted most of Barry Day (Coward historian and US Consultant) far for my personal taste, but I a limited combination of the material on Streisand’s first five Gareth Pike (Past Secretary) email: [email protected] sp general and biographical queries cannot fail to be impressed by the accompanying instruments. Time albums for Columbia, and earned Stephen Marshall (Member) email: [email protected] sp recordings, programmes, tributes & expert knowledge of and Again amounts to a completely another Grammy nomination for newspaper cuttings. instrumentation. Peter Matz, at the new interpretation of a superbly arranging, conducting and producing Jane Finch (Member) age of twenty-six, knows more about well-crafted but otherwise almost her platinum recording The Ali Howarth (Alan Brodie Representation - who represent the Estate of the Late Noël Coward) the range of various instruments and unknown song. Here Matz’s shafts Broadway Album. Two more Emmys (BBC Drama) the potentialities of different of jazz piano improvisation add came for his work on the 1970 Kraft Peter Tummons (Methuen Drama) combinations than anyone of any rhythmic and harmonic interest in a Music Hall presentation of The US REPRESENTATIVES... age I have ever met in England ... deliciously laid-back swing style - Sound of Burt Bacharach and a 1973 Ken Starrett in New York email: [email protected] very exciting and stimulating.” The beyond question a great segment of , James O’Brien in Philadelphia email: [email protected] Las Vegas episode gave Coward accompaniment for a great song and of which he was Musical Director Walter Smyth in Trevose near Philadelphia email:[email protected] “one of the most sensational a realisation of its true potential. for eight years. There were at least Alan Farley in San Francisco email: alanNoë[email protected] successes of my career, and to Things came slightly unstuck early ten other Emmy nominations for his COPYRIGHT FOR PLAYS, MUSIC AND OTHER WORK... pretend that I am not absolutely in 1959 over the score for London contributions to more than 140 For enquiries about amateur rights for plays please contact the following. delighted would be idiotic.” Morning, for which Coward wanted television movies and specials. Samuel French Ltd, 52 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 5JR, United Kingdom Tel: 020 7255 4302 for the UK Thereafter, there was no question Matz to come to London to do the Matz considered that his lucky break or Samuel French Inc., 45 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10010, USA but that Matz would be asked copying and much more; but Matz with Coward was hugely influential Phone (212) 206-8990 Fax (212) 206-1429 whenever musical assistance was was by then doing pretty well in TV to the scope and direction of his or Samuel French Ltd., 7623 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood CA 90046 USA needed in Coward’s burgeoning US work and didn’t have the passion for subsequent career, and remained Phone (323) 876-0570 Fax (323) 876-6822 arena. CBS had already contracted the project that he felt Coward was impressed by how hard Coward Samuel French (Canada) Ltd., 100 Lombard Street - Dept.W , Toronto, Ont., Canada M5C 1M3 for the TV spectacular Together With demanding. “I finally had to say, worked in preparing his material, Phone (416) 363-3536 Fax (416) 363-1108 Music, and Matz went to Jamaica to “Noël, I don’t think I can do it”. He and how much he himself had For professional rights to the plays and all other written work contact: work on the songs. “I remember was pretty upset ... it seemed to him learned about performance from Alan Brodie Representation, 211, Piccadilly, London, W1J 9HF, United Kingdom being just in awe of the level of that I was being disloyal, and in a ‘The Master’. It is notable that Tel: +44 (0) 20 7917 2871 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7917 2872 work going on ... a feeling that way I guess I was.” However, early Coward specified bequests in his For enquiries and rights regarding music, sheet music and scores contact: something kind of historical was in 1961 Coward offered Matz the will to only two musicians - his Warner Chappell Music Group Ltd., Griffin House, 161 Hammersmith Road, London, W6 8BS, United Kingdom happening”. Mary Martin musical directorship of Sail Away. long-time accompanist and Phone: 44-208-563-5800 Fax: 44-208-563-5801 remembered “hours and hours of “This sort of work represented my amanuensis Norman Hackforth (to or Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.,10585 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025-4950, U.S.A. floating around on inflated whole reason for having gone to whom Coley presented Coward’s Tel: 1-310-441-8600 Fax 1-310-470-6399 mattresses under gorgeous skies and New York to begin with ...I was own green Morocco leather-bound shadows of palm trees, singing like thrilled that he asked me to do it - it copy of The Noël Coward Song crazy”. Coward commented that was a wonderful learning Book) and Peter Matz (who received FOOTNOTES - The new CD by Ian Bostridge, accompanied by Mary Martin was “wonderful to experience.” It led to an offer from a silver-mounted conductor’s baton). Jeffrey Tate is The Noël Coward Songbook on EMI Classics - work with”, and that “Pete is being to MD his next In recent years Matz accompanied 72435573742. Release date (for the UK) is 14 October, 2002 (Guardian really marvellous. He is not only a musical, but Matz had to ask his wife, the singer Marilynn Lovell, Review at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/features/story/ fine musician but an enthusiast.” Coward to be released from Sail in a prodigious series of fund-raising 0,11710,800449,00.html) The Wicked Wit of Noël Coward by Dominique In November 1956 Matz provided Away. Coward’s response was concerts to benefit AIDS victims. He Engright, is just out see www.amazon.com . The photograph here shows accompaniments and arrangements generous: “Oh, you have to work for also became the engine behind Los NCS Vice President, Judy Campbell (middle) at the Theatre Museum for the album Noël Coward in New him - Rodgers just pees melody!”. Angeles’ Reprise! Broadway’s Best, during the recent book launch of A Theatrical Feast by Elizabeth Sharland York, which are probably the best Peter Matz continued to work at the which since 1997 has staged revivals - with Susan Travers (left) and Virginia Lester (right).

Page 4 Page 13 him, telephoned the news to “Crown Prince of New York Cabaret” of historic Broadway musicals. request). Mr Bergström comes New York Pride means no one can London. Coming to The Stanhope Park Hyatt New York Artistic Director Marcia Seligson through a pretty rough start in life as talk us down - Burial in England last year credited much of the series’ a well balanced individual, aware of Or we’ll make them regret that they Arrangements were being made success to Matz and his attention to his special story which he shares tried. yesterday, with the assistance of New York – Fall 2002 –Opening Thursday historical musical detail. “Music with the reader. the High Commissioner’s office, to November 7th, 2002 and continuing through New theatre is really a native art form”, If any member would like a copy of Rough city fly the body home to England. It Year’s Eve 2002, Steve Ross will perform at the Matz said during those years, this book, then do get in touch Firm on feet of granite, will travel on the direct BOAC historic Stanhope Park Hyatt New York. explaining why he devoted such through the usual Society address. Hanging touch, how can it flight to London Mr. Leslie said Recognized by as the “Crown efforts to the series. “It should be The book is privately published, but Ever fail or fade? that Sir Noël had seemed “cheerful Prince of New York Cabaret,” Ross is considered preserved for the same reason it’s I am sure Hugo Bergström will be Gruff city, and active” after dining quietly on one of the great singer/pianist interpreters of Cole important to preserve a Frank Lloyd delighted to sell a copy. Nowhere on the planet Sunday night. He had not Porter, Noël Coward and Fred Astaire. Ross has Wright building or not let old Gareth Pike Are the ties forged tighter than the complained lately about his health performed his music in concert halls, theatres and movies decay in the can”. ones you’ve made. although he mentioned cabarets around the globe for the last thirty years. NEW YORK PRIDE Hand in hand occasionally to friends that what According to the London Times, “Steve Ross is the Matz died in Los Angeles on August Like a band of smoothest cabaret act in the world.” Provided by Barry Day last year he liked to call “my artery trouble” 9th, and is survived by his wife, two and printed now as we Brothers who was giving him some bother. Steve will perform two shows per evening, Wednesday through Saturday. sons from his first marriage, Face the Future His first performance will begin at 8:30 pm with a $35 cover charge remember the tragedy of He had retired a few weeks ago to Zachary and Jonas, and one September 11th, 2001 What e’er may betide the winter home after making a (dinner required). The second show will begin at 10:30 pm with a $25 grandson. Knowing nothing can set aside New York Pride - it’s in every face triumphal visit to New York in cover charge on Wednesday and Thursday and a $35 cover charge on That God-given New York Pride! you see, January. A celebrity studded crowd Friday and Saturday ($20 food and beverage minimum accompanies the People come from the ends of the honoured him at a special late shows). Ross’ appearance solidifies The Stanhope Park Hyatt New Earth. performance of “Oh Coward!,” a York’s commitment to the establishment of New York’s newest premier Memoirs of an Orphan Boy by BOOKS & CDs New York Pride - it’s in every place potpourri of his life’s work which boite. For reservations call (212) 650-4737. Hugo Bergström remaining in stock ... you’ll be has been one of the hits of the For those who wish to see Steve Ross in the UK: In this city that values your worth. Books: present New York theatrical He is returning to Larry’s Room at the Pizza on the Park. We all know that Noël Coward The Unknown Noël signed by season. Sir Noël, who had Herewith the details: became the President of the Actor’s th th Brave city, Graham, Payn £20.00 celebrated his 73rd birthday on Dates: three weeks – Oct. 8 through Oct. 26 . Mondays through Orphanage on the death of Gerald Shining like a beacon, The Theatrical Companion (2 cop- Dec. 16, found the New York visit Saturdays (except the first week) du Maurier in 1934, a role he took Like those lights that shimmer ies) £19.25 tiring, When he flew south to Location: 11 Knightsbridge very seriously and gave a lot of On the Great White Way. CDs all priced at £5 each: Kingston he told friends that he Telephone: 0207. 235.5273 time and commitment until he gave Grave city, Sophistication (2 copies) was looking forward to a few Shows: up the post some 22 years later in May you never weaken. Sophistication-the 30s (2 copies) months of utter relaxation in the 9:15 Strictly Rodgers, Mostly Hart 1956. Hugo Bergström was a boy Stay as strong and stubborn More Sophistication (1 copy) tranquil setting of the Blue 10:45 the Autumn Collection at the orphanage in the early years. As you stand today. Fred Astaire Songs from the movies Harbour home. He has written and privately Guts and go (2 copies) FREE CD FOR ALL NEW AND RENEWED MEMBERSHIP published his memoirs. It is a VERY MERRY Are the greatest Jazz Age-20s/30s (2 copies) This year we are able to offer all new and renewed members a FREE CD remarkable read. Here is the story Last London visit Part of you, Perfect Nostalgia (2 copies) containing a collection of Noël Coward songs recorded by various artists. of what it was like to be in the Chuzpah, wit and Fascinating Rhythm-20s (2 copies) Mrs. Joan Hirst, a close friend who This promotional copy was produced by Warner Chappell in 2001and not orphanage at that time. He was A spirit that’s free. Irving Berlin (1copy) used to work for Sir Noël and who made available for sale. It contains 26 tracks including If Love Were All there when they moved to Chertsey. They’re the stuff Hits of the Thirties (1 copy) handles his affairs in London, said and Poor Little Rich Girl sung by Judy Garland; I’ll Follow My Secret He saw (and benefited from) many That’s right at Great British Dance Bands (1 copy) he had been “very merry” recently Heart by Frank Sinatra; London Pride and Someday I’ll Find You by Julie of the improvements that Coward The heart of you, Cool Love Songs of the 30s/40s and was under no strains. His last Andrews; some recordings by Noël, Mary Martin, Dinah Washington, encouraged. It gives an insight into They’re the things (1 copy) visit to London was just before Jose Ferrer, Shirley Bassey, Danny Kaye and more. Members also have the conditions of the time, and That the whole world can see. The Songs of Hoagy Carmichael Christmas. Winters in Jamaica and the right to buy copies of the first edition of The Unknown Noël by Barry some aspects of Noël’s life and (1 copy) summers at his house, Les Avants Day signed by Graham Payn at £20 ($31) now with p&p included in the character. Please do not be misled. You may be a little down but you’re Glenn Miller (1 copy) in the hills above Montreux in price. This book is Mr Bergström’s holding steady. Nightfall (1copy) Switzerland, have been Sir Noël’s FREE COMPUTER WITH TUITION FOR A MEMBERSHIP SEC. memories of his life as a child Someone picks a fight with you - tell Perfect Blues (1 copy) regular schedule in recent years. The Society is looking for someone to take on the work of Membership before and during the second world them to be ready! Send your order to: His visits to London have been Secretary for the Society. The work involves managing the Society’s war. It is not about Noël Coward. You’ve seen bullies come and go, Geoffrey Skinner, Samuel French limited to a fortnight about twice a membership database that has been developed in FileMaker Pro and is It is about Hugo Bergström. They never laid a glove Ltd., year. Sir Noël is represented by very user friendly. The Membership Secretary would receive a computer From descriptions of life at the On this magic city we all love. 52 Fitzroy Street, London, W1T two shows in London at present: with printer and all the software needed to manage the membership orphanage, the story rolls on to the 5JR, United Kingdom or email to: “Cowardy Custard,” a musical details. The database contains the standard letters that are needed to War when Hugo Bergström was one New York Pride means we’re all geoffrey@samuelfrench- based on his songs, and “Private communicate and disseminate membership information. These would be of the orphans evacuated to New Yorkers now. london.co.uk updated regularly by the secretary who will provide tuition and telephone America. There he met Gertrude Lives,” his play from the 1930s. New York Pride means we stand Both went on as usual last night. support. All expenses will be met by the Society. Please contact John Lawrence (no doubt taking an side by side. Cheques and Credit Cards accepted (Daily Telegraph - 27/9/73) Knowles on +44 (0)1603 486188 or via email or postal address. interest in the orphans at Noël’s Page 12 Page 5 sentimental patriotism converted to only Nude With Violin and Relative insincere inflation of emotion, on NOËL COWARD IN NEW YORK Coward’s cause many theatregoers Values seemed to awaken his sharp the dishonesty of meaningless fine This second part of our article on Coward in New York has to begin in the 1920s at the Algonquin the first night of who had distrusted the flippancy, revelatory wit. Never idle, he made manners and unexamined the first visit of Noël Coward to New York. He would later have many lunches at the famed ‘Round Table’ where the the facility and the witty light- Feydeau’s Occupe-toi d’Amelie conventions, and on the hypocrisy literati and glitteratti formed a strong intellectual heartedness of his earlier work. into Look after Lulu, a typically which masquerades as moral and social elite between the wars - with such Between the two musicals came Coward work even though it censoriousness; it rejects the easy- figures as Alexander Woollcott, Edna Ferber Private Lives, a comedy as seemed unblushingly to allude to going, the undisciplined and the (Showboat) and Neysa McMein. It was a natural beautifully and smoothly made as earlier effects and to earlier unprofessional. Claiming no more home for Coward - even if it proved too hot and Hay Fever, and no less witty but dialogue for effects he knew to be than, in the words of one of his stuffy on this first visit. with a closer relevance to the infallible. He appeared in small songs; “a talent to amuse,” It was at the Henry Miller Theatre where Coward moral concerns of its day. It parts, beautifully observed, Coward, his public had come to appeared on September 16, 1925 in the American exploits with inventive delight its magnificently understated and learn, amused them for their own run of his first major success, The Vortex. (Look author’s gift for the retort extremely wittily played in a good as well as their delight. After Lulu was also produced there and opened on discourteous, the comic inflation variety of films in the later 1950s Coward was widely admired and March 3, 1959). In the 1940s Coward stayed at of the obvious, the urgent pursuit and the 1960s. In 1964, a year in loved in his own profession for his the St. Regis Hotel, a significant visit to the US of the wild irrelevancy and his which Granada presented four of generosity and kindness to those which lasted from April 29, Round Table at the Algonquin mastery of cleverly economical his plays on television under the who fell on hard times. Stories are 1940 to June 9. While here he effect. omnibus title A Choice of Coward, told of the unobtrusive way in made the trip to Washington In the 1930s he was active in he had the satisfaction of directing which he relieved the needs or paid to visit President Roosevelt. management in England and New the National Theatre production of the debts of old theatrical In Future Indefinite Coward York, in partnership with Alfred Hay Fever - the second modern connections who had no claim on writes, “It is an established Lunt and , and, he play to be included in the National him. The Algonquin Hotel rule that no liquor may be continued to create plays and repertoire and the first play ever to served in the White musicals with no less ease and be directed there by its author. House and so, fortified effect, though for a time with less This was followed by a musical NOËL COWARD by the illicit Presiden- wit. In 1941, however, Blithe Spirit version of Blithe Spirit, supervised DIES tial whisky-sours, we broke new ground; admitting the but not written or composed by settled down to pleas- fantastic into his mocking picture Coward and by a revival of Present By IAN BALL in New York ant food and delicious The Henry Miller Theatre of the age; it ran for nearly 2,000 Laughter with Mr. Nigel Patrick SIR NOËL COWARD, one of the iced water. After dinner I obliged with a few songs at the piano, and performances. Present Laughter, playing Coward’s old part and greatest theatrical figures of the noted with a pang of dismay the President’s marked partiality for written in the following year, directing, which ran for close on century and perhaps the most ‘Mad Dogs and Englishmen’, which he made me sing twice.” Coward displays moral perplexities like 400 performances at the Queen’s. versatile and innovative dined often at the restaurant called ‘21’ - there is frequent mention of those of Private Lives against a Last year Coward attended the first playwright-actor-singer-composer it in the autobiographies and theatrical background; the night of Cowardy Custard in Britain has produced, died in Jamaica yesterday. He was 73. He The St. Regis Hotel the diaries. It dates back to background is beautifully sketched London -a revue of his revue the time of Prohibition in the 1920s. and the problems are worked out material. A revival of Private Lives had a heart attack early yesterday Another legendary dining place for Coward and generations of theatricals is with undiminished wit and hilarity. with Maggie Smith and Robert at his winter home at Blue Sardi’s. It has survived relatively unchanged since the 1920’s and for over 80 Between these two uncloudedly Stephens opened in London. He Harbour, near Port Maria on years has been the club, mess sunny plays came In Which We also received an honorary degree Jamaica’s North Shore. He woke hall, lounge, post office, saloon Serve, Coward’s film in tribute to from Sussex University. “If and unusually early, summoned a and marketplace of the American the Royal Navy, which he wrote when”, Coward had written in houseboy just before 6.30 and complained of feeling unwell. theater. Situated next to the New and directed himself and in which 1958, “she (.success) chooses to York Times it was and is the he played the leading role. This leave me I shall not repine, nor The houseboy helped him back to home of the clichéd frantic Happy Breed achieved a working shall I mourn her any more than I bed and summoned a doctor from search of the press reviews class Cavalcade of life between mourn other loved ones who have Port Maria, four miles away, by following a first night. Coward is the two World Wars. gone away. I do not approve of sending a messenger because the one of many who has dined, His later work, with occasional mourning, I only approve of house has no phone. scanned the newsprint and been novels and short stories, a War remembering, and her I shall The local physician, Dr. E. U. caricatured on the walls of this Diary to link his pre-war always remember gratefully and Akpabio a Nigerian, dressed 21 - with its line of race jockeys vibrant restaurant. Coward’s last autobiography Present Indicative with pride.” quickly and drove up Firefly Hill performance was at the Belasco theatre in Nude with Violin which opened on to its post-war sequel, Future By the time he reached his to the house, but Sir Noël was November 14th, 1957 and closed on February 8th 1958. The final week of the Sardi’s - a theatrical dining legend Indefinite, could not always seventieth birthday in 1969, the dead when he arrived. The doctor signed a death certificate stating run saw alternating performances of Nude With Violin with Present Laughter (with Nude cast members and Eva recapture the wit and the tingling year in which he was awarded a that death was due to a coronary Gabor)! The 1960s saw Coward busily preparing Sail Away with the inimitable and dominating presence of Elaine contemporaneity of his earlier knighthood, it was possible to see thrombosis. Stritch, who has recently enjoyed such success with a concert version of the musical and her own one-woman show plays. His musicals remained how firmly the best of Coward’s Sir Noël’s secretary, Mr. Cole Elaine Stritch At Liberty. In August of this year Elizabeth Sharland arranged for the authors to see the Penthouse gracefully made and precise in work was rooted in the English Leslie (sic), who was staying with Tower on East 55th Street where the lessees, John Valentino and Allan France, are using their architectural and inte- effect, but they belong to the days comic tradition. It is an attack in rior design skills to preserve this most interesting of rooftop apartments. In its heyday it must have enjoyed even wider before the war, and of his plays, suitably comic terms on the Page 6 Page 11 Next year sees the 30th anniversary of Sir Noël Coward’s death. Here is his obituary from and the announcement of his death in provided by Terence Trimmer. Part two of an illustrated guide to where Noël Coward lived, ate, performed and directed in New York and the theatres where play revivals from the Coward canon were presented ... by Ken Starrett & John Knowles OBITUARY The Times 27/9/73 SIR NOËL COWARD Playwright and actor who was a master of comedy

Sir Noël Coward has died in plays - may seem too easily influenced. Until 1915, when a Jamaica, as announced on another sentimental to appeal to later ages, mild attack of tuberculosis sent page, at the age of 73. Playwright, but they reflect the mood of their him for treatment to a sanatorium, composer, director, actor, singer and times with startling clarity. Of all he played a large number of dancer, he was also on occasion his multifarious achievements, it is juvenile parts. Because of his novelist, short-story writer and as a master of the comedy of illness, when he reached military autobiographer, and he wrote manners that he is irreplaceable; age in 1915 he was put into a fluent, entertaining light verse. labour battalion, but transferred None of the great figures of the from that to the Artists Rifles English theatre has been more OTC. After the war he joined Arthur versatile than he. Whatever he had The Belasco theatre found to do was done with Bourchier’s company; but in 1920 elegantly professional certainty of he appeared in his own first play, a views of Manhattan . Even now it effect. During his lifetime, his light and flimsy comedy, I Leave It still has a wonderful view of the place in the theatre depended on To You, at the New Theatre; this Empire State and the Chrysler no single vein of achievement but was later followed by The Young buildings and downtown towards on his complete mastery of all the Idea, and in 1923 he acted, sang Battery Park. It maintains a distinc- The penthouse looking South East (photograph by Elizabeth Sharland) stage required for whatever work and danced in London Calling a tive place on the New York skyline hosts. As we sat, glowing from large same building. He certainly used the he had undertaken. One or two of revue of which he was part-author with its unusual green capped cocktails, we took in the scene from penthouse as the more suitable room, his sentimental songs keep their and part-composer ventilation shaft in the corner of the the 12 foot windows across Manhat- away from neighbours and interrup- place among the popular classics Changing his tone, in 1925, he roof garden. This can be seen from tan from this historic apartment that tions, for these early rehearsals. of light music; others, wittily made his first great success with the viewing deck of the Empire State is being lovingly restored and fur- mocking, are destined for a longer The Vortex, a somewhat Building . This apartment was used nished. The art deco feel of much of (Our thanks to Elizabeth Sharland for life. He had little voice, but no melodramatic confrontation by Coward for the earliest rehearsals the interior has been created by their arranging the visit to the Penthouse singer more naturally gifted could between a foolish, amorous of Sail Away when Elaine took the choice of beautiful furnishings, and to John and Allan for their warm project the wit of these songs with middle-aged woman and the drug- small elevator and then trudged up artefacts and paintings. In recogni- hospitality). half the effect of his own dry, taking who was her son. In the narrow cast iron staircase across tion of the reception given to us and staccato style. As an actor he Noël Coward as Captain Kinross in it, Coward found an authentic the roof garden that is the only the Society, we are giving John and carried naturalism to its farthest the film In Which We Serve. desperation in the self-conscious entrance to the penthouse. Sail Away Allan a framed and mounted photo- extremes, but in a number of roles gaiety of the first post-war period. had its Broadway premiere on graph of Noël to hang in the pent- his work in this special field is like that of Lewis Dodd, the Hay Fever, written in a weekend in. Tuesday, October 3, 1961 at the house, together with some books that precisely written, and elegantly bohemian composer of Margaret 1925, is a more dazzling Broadhurst Theatre, and ran for 167 give some background on this economical; it belongs to the Kennedy’s The Constant Nymph in achievement; like The Importance performances. The penthouse is famous tenant. It is not certain that classical tradition of Congreve, the 1920s and Shaw’s King of being Earnest, it is pure comedy currently undergoing careful restora- Noël ever lived in the penthouse but Sheridan, Wilde and Shaw. Magnus, in The Apple Cart, which with no mission but to delight, and tion at the hands of John and Allan we do know he lived in a one- Noël Coward was born at he played in the Coronation season it depends purely on the interplay who were the most receptive of bedroomed apartment (at 15g) in the Teddington on December 16, 1899, of 1953, he made every necessary of characters, not upon elaborate the son of Arthur Coward, who The view North towards The authors with Elizabeth Sharland Main room looking effect with a delightful simplicity comic machinery. This was worked for a firm of music the Empire State Building Main room and Beryl Knowles in the roof garden South and punctuality, adding often to followed by a series of musicals publishers. His formal education their weight by understatement; he produced by C. B. Cochran which was limited, for he made his first was too disciplined and culminated in Bitter Sweet, public appearance when he was 10 conscientious an artist to essay probably the best of Coward’s in a children’s play The Goldfish, what was beyond his capacity for work for the musical stage, in at the Little Theatre. effectiveness. 1929, and Cavalcade, a This brought an offer of a page Posterity may reject his musicals magnificently spectacular pageant boy’s part, in The Great Name, as limited by the tastes and of English history, from the death from Charles Hawtrey, by whose techniques of the 1920s and 1930s. of Queen Victoria to the great skill, professionalism and His serious pieces - like Cavalcade slump, as it was seen through the disciplined craftsmanship Coward among his musicals, The Vortex eyes of an upper-middle-class was permanently and beneficially and This Happy Breed among his family. Cavalcade’s sincere, Page 10 Page 7 Marianne Elliott directing the play’s girlish mannerisms that initially I stumble as he exits is a classic of itself from productions in the past. servant is gay and this may have Design for Living most recent revival (26.06.02) at the found irritating. Ernest was able to comic business and entirely justifies One element that gave it its been why Ernest chose him. Another Royal Exchange in went talk to her like a father. In this and the laughter of the trio left on stage. contemporary feel was the casting of circle, an echo of the first is created. The Royal Exchange Manchester the second act she is clearly seen as That Coward later said the three a black actor Clarence Smith as Leo. Undoubtedly Coward never thought an adjunct to whichever man she is characters were laughing at In the third act he entered as a full of this but to my mind it is an The twenty-two year old Coward with. Otto rather unkindly calls her themselves suggests to me an blown transvestite to Gilda’s interesting contribution to a play that met two young British actors, Alfred “the essence of love among the uncharacteristic failure of nerve and amusement and the horror of her warrants re-examining by every Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, on his first artists” and she finds her lovers’ fear of being thought cruel. conventional guests. There was also generation that revives it. visit to New York. They fascinated success daunting. It is her It was in the third act that the the suggestion in Andonis Anthony’s each other and, such was their immaturity as much as her fickleness production went furthest to distance performance that Matthew, their Michael Imison that disqualifies her from having BLITHE SPIRIT - A new audio production directed by Sheridan Morley reviewed by Michael Imison long term relationships. Above all she, unlike Leo and Otto, does not In his perceptive sleeve note to this wife a hearty, fox-hunting female as a ghost. A good deal of comedy have a real job, and for Coward new Naxos recording Sheridan with no intellectual interests lies in the reactions of the characters work was what mattered. He is Morley identifies this play, for many whatsoever. His children by the first to what is happening and I for one often quoted as saying it was more years now the most performed of all wife, (characters stolen, as Coward will never forget Simon Cadell as fun than fun. In this play, in the Coward’s works, as a turning point freely admitted from Shaw’s You Charles doing a triple take when he third act Gilda has become a for the playwright. Previously his Never Can Tell) are convinced that first caught sight of Elvira. But the successful interior designer, her major comedies, from Easy Virtue to their parents still love each other and heart of Coward’s comedy is in the creativity winning her rewards as Design for Living, had each featured finally bring about their re-union. dialogue and this can benefit from mutual self-confidence, that, then rich as those for Otto’s paintings or a small group of insiders, often More famously, Private Lives deals being heard without visual and there, they resolved that Noël artists, temperamentally inclined to with a couple whose emotions are so distractions, especially when should write a play, in which all of one stage further and moved the reject normal codes of behaviour volatile as to break up their first delivered by the richly distinctive them should star. It took eleven setting to the present day. Coward and deriving most of their marriage and who take new partners voices of such actors as Corin years for their careers to advance to works do not generally lend amusement from the hidebound with conventional good looks and Redgrave and Joanna Lumley. the point where this was practical themselves to this approach. I attitudes of others. These found a ideas to match. Here again the Joanna has the advantage of having but they never forgot and in 1933 remember a disastrous 1974 Present ready audience in the post First second wife is routed by the first played a much-praised Elvira in the all three of them appeared in Design Laughter with Peter Wyngarde World War generation. With the who reclaims her ex-husband. The West End but Corin, who is less For Living on Broadway where it playing Garry Essendine as an aging coming of the Second War Coward, new elements to this situation in known for comedy, is also very ran for 135 performances. It was a pop-star. Here, despite some minor whose first reaction was to forswear Blithe Spirit are that the first wife is funny and believable as a writer play much beloved by its inconsistencies, it served the play playwriting altogether, seems to dead when the play opens and thus whose self-absorption never protagonists and not surprisingly has well. It allowed Les Brotherston’s have concluded that a new approach has to return as a ghost to make her descends into pettiness. Actresses challenged many distinguished sets and costumes to be witty was necessary. Blithe Spirit, written claim and further that, although she playing Madame Arcati tend to be actors to follow in their footsteps. parodies of current fashions instead in 1941 does feature two writers, and he initially form an alliance that judged against the wild eccentricities Versions have varied from the of trotting out clichéd thirties Charles Condemine and Madam excludes the second wife, ultimately of the first player of the part, 1930’s film with Gary designs. With a very few omissions Arcati, but the books which they are he rejects them both. It seems clear Margaret Rutherford, and their Cooper and , which and alterations the Coward dialogue described as having written hardly that even in writing comedy Coward success is measured by how funny satisfied the screen censors by sounded as up-to-date as when it sound ground-breaking and the one is turning his back on the frivolities they are. There is a trap here. It denying any possibility of a sexual was written and the explicit sex free spirit (no pun intended) in the of the Twenties to face the new must be remembered that contrary to relationship between the central trio, scenes did not seem out of place in play, the ghost of Elvira, is finally seriousness of the Forties. everyone’s expectations Arcati is this context. Above all it emphasised Leo’s plays. Paradoxically it is this rejected and banished by an alliance Morley claims that his production of genuinely psychic, she does summon that drama dealing with the new found independence that of these same writers. At the same the play as a sound recording is the back Elvira and in the end does send complexities of hetero- and homo- qualifies her to re-enter the charmed time Coward, who in Private Lives first complete one. This is not her away again. Thankfully Thelma sexual relationships is just as circle with which the play began. and Hay Fever had almost dispensed exactly true. Los Angeles Theatre Ruby realises this and gives as much relevant now as it was in the thirties. The second strand was the role of with plot, returned to a more Works recorded a complete version emphasis to Arcati’s professional The pain of love and the difficulties Ernest, often seen as a mere conventional form of dramaturgy of their public radio performance of pride as to her bicycling and of fidelity were constant themes mouthpiece for conventional with clearly defined conflict and the play for the centenary which is fondness for cucumber sandwiches. with Coward, here demonstrated morality. Ken Bones’ performance suspense and a denouement worthy available from Amazon. And Equally Kika Markham in the less with mathematical thoroughness as let us see the real hurt he feels when of Agatha Christie in the unmasking Morley’s version is not quite rewarding part of Ruth resists the each possible pairing among Gilda, Gilda finally admits she had made of the maid Edith as the source of complete. I spotted one cut where temptation to caricature. A huge to ’ revival at the Leo and Otto is explored before use of him and that their marriage the psychical mayhem. the producer’s ingenuity was additional plus for the production is in the early coming to the triumphant conclusion was only a marriage of convenience. However new the approach may defeated by the wordless scene in the opportunity it gives between the 1990’s where , Clive that two and two make three. He is now the innocent one who have been, the central situation of which the ghost and the maid scenes to hear Coward himself Owen and Paul Rhys, taking However, in this production two failed to grasp reality and the more Blithe Spirit is one that Coward had compete for control of the singing some of the songs he made advantage of relaxed contemporary other strands emerged for me more furiously he denounces all three of used twice before. An early play gramophone. Blithe Spirit is a very famous. codes, demonstrated physically what clearly than they had before. them the more he resembles a latter The Young Idea featured a man visual play, hence the successful BLITHE SPIRIT An improbable farce NAXOS NA226314 available as a CD in the original were simply shocking Victoria Scarborough’s Gilda day Malvolio, who similarly had whose marriage to a beautiful film version and the numerous other or a set of two audiocassettes from ideas. started in the first act with some ideas above his station. His final temperamental artist had broken up films derived from it where the and who had taken as his second pivotal action is a spouse returning www.amazon.co.uk Page 8 Page 9