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Home , Cavalcade (play), Gertrude Lawrence, Malcolm Sinclair (actor), Ned Chaillet

WHAT’S ON? ACROSS THE GLOBE (Professional companies in red amateur in black) America & 3 to 5 Mar 2004 Crofton House School, Vancouver, BC JANUARY 20 to 30 Dec 2003 University Players, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario 2003 Mar to Apr 2004 Denver Center, Denver, CO 6 to 15 Nov Pine Tree Players, Canmore, Alberta 26 to 30 Apr 2004 Mississauga, Ontario Sep to Oct Utah Hay Fever 20 Nov to 13 Dec Grand Prairie Live Theatre, Grand Prairie, Alberta Sept to Oct Pacific Repertory Theatre., Carmel, CA IN THIS ISSUE 5 to 15 Nov St Luke’s Players, Victoria, BC ANNUAL LUNCHEON AND Page 1 Annual Lunch Come Into the Garden Maud Oct 9, Nov 3, & Dec 8. Food for Thought Productions, National Arts Club, NYC Steve Ross Tel: (212) 362-2560 Not Yet The Dodo 5 to 13 Feb 2004 Amicus Productions , Ontario AUCTION ... at The Savoy Page 2 Comedy of Coward Fallen Angels 18 to 31 Jan 2004 Bramalea Live Theatre, Brampton, Ontario Page 3 Passing Stages Present Laughter 2 Mar to 1 Nov Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland OR. www.orshakes.org Our final Society event of the year takes place on Saturday 13th December in . It has Page 4 Memories of 2 to 26 Jun 2004 Raymond Burr Performing Arts Theatre, New Westminister, BC been a year when we celebrated the life of Noël Coward. A time when we rejoiced in his Cavalcade Page 6 Come to the 4 to 21 Feb 2004 Tribal Productions Inc. Thornhill, Ontario continued presence in stage, screen and musical productions 30 years after his life came to an Page 7 News & Views 20 to 30 Dec University of Windsor, School of Drama and Arts, Windsor, ON end at Firefly in Jamaica. The man who thought he would not be remembered, has been, and Page 8 Sep to Nov Globe Theatre., Regina, Saskatchewan., Canada, ; will continue to be. We invite you to join us for this special day in the centre of London’s Page 9 Wings Over Jan to Feb, 2004 Lyric Stage, Boston, Mass. shopping and theatre district, as Christmas approaches, for a gala end to our year. The Broadway Apr to May, 2004 Irish Classical Theatre. Buffalo, NY programme for the day includes our Annual General Meeting (AGM) at The Theatre Museum Page 10 Coward on the Web Australasia at 10.30 am followed by a special laying of flowers on the statue of Noël Coward at the Theatre Page 11 Collector’s Lot!!!! Blithe Spirit 15 Nov to 20 Dec Melbourne Theatre Co Victoria then national tour 2003 (Press Night 19 Nov) Royal, Drury Lane at 12.00 noon. (During the anniversary week of his birth we also plan to Page 12 WHAT’S ON? 30 Oct to 1 Nov Tropic Line Theatre, Queensland (Small tour) lay flowers at the two other Coward statues created by the sculptor Angela Connor, at The Rest of the World Firefly, Jamaica and the Gershwin Theatre, New York.) In London, luncheon will be served Private Lives Current Pieter Toerien Productions, Cape Town, Grahamstown, Jo’burg, from 12.30 pm at The Savoy in a room set aside for the afternoon for the Society followed at 2.30 pm by an auction of the books previously held at the London Office of Noël Coward, Present Laughter 16 to 18 Oct Union Theatre, The Village Hall, Dorridge, Solihull, West Midlands managed by the late Joan Hirst for so many years. The auction will be led by a professional 16 to 19 June 2004 The Hampton Hill Playhouse, Hamp[ton Hill, Mddx. auctioneer and is open to the public as well as members. Arrangements will be made to receive Fumed Oak 13 &14 Dec Phoenix Players, Village Hall, Abertin, Glamorgan telephone bids and a catalogue will be available from the end of October. A copy of this Hay Fever 30 Oct to 6 Nov R.S.A.M.D. The New Athenium Theatre, , Scotland catalogue will be sent free of charge to each member and can be purchased by the public on 12 to 17 Jan 2004 Nottingham Arts Theatre, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire request. Copies will be sent to notable London booksellers. The auction is planned to finish The Savoy 27 to 28 May 2004 St. Mark’s Church Hall, Reigate, Surrey by 4.30 pm. Members will be able to attend any or all of the events on the day. There are no charges to members and their 27 to 29 Nov The Shelley theatre, Marlow, Bucks guests for attending the AGM, flower-laying or the Auction. The cost of the luncheon meal is £48.50 per person (inc. VAT) 2004 (TBC) West Yorkshire Playhouse, The Quarry whether a member or a guest - the menu is shown on the enclosed booking form. Blithe Spirit 8 to 15 Nov Questors Theatre, The Playhouse Theatre, Ealing, London 6 Aug to 4 Oct Derby Playhouse 6 Jun to 31 Oct Cumbria Theatre Trust, Theatre By The Lake, Keswick, Cumbria 18 to 25 Oct Bolton Little Theatre (With member Andrew Close as Charles Condomine) STEVE ROSS at Pizza On The Park NOT YET THE 13 to 15 Oct The Mill Hall, Rayleigh, Essex Yes the ‘heat is on’ as we celebrate the start of the year in 5 to 8 Nov The Mill Theatre, Banbury, Oxfordshire style with Steve Ross at the Pizza On The Park. Some 70 DODO 6 to 11 Oct The Little Theatre, Colne, Lancs. members have already signed up for this event and we have 13 to 14 Nov Hoddesdon Players, Broxbourne Civic Hall, Hoddesdon, Herts invited several celebrities to join us - news of these in our SPRING 2004 4 to 6 Dec Middele Barton DG, The Alice Marshall Hall, Middle Barton, Oxfordshire December edition. If anyone else wishes to join us please We plan to provide another opportunity 30 Oct to 1 Nov Rattlesden ATS, Village Hall, Rattlesden, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk contact: to see this wonderful and highly 1 to 4 Oct Codsall DS, Community High School, Codsall, Staffs Barbara Longford 7 Argyll Mansions, London, W14 8QG enjoyable theatre production that 17 Oct to 8 Nov Theatre Royal, York Tel: 020 7603 7399: home brings together the verse and music of 8 Jun to 4 Aug 2004Ian Dickens Productions - Balckpool/Darlington/Swansea (TBC) Tel: 020 7937 8692: office Noël Coward. The venue will be the Private Lives 19 Sep to 11 Oct Theatre Royal, York e-mail: [email protected] Hampton Theatre in Teddington. The 18 to 22 May 2004 Quince Players, The Cordes Hall, Sunninghill, Ascot, Berkshire programme for the day will include a 5 to 8 Nov Belmont Theatre Company, The Arts Centre, Harrow, Pinner, Middlesex visit to the local church where Coward’s 22 Nov Sudbury Upper School, Sudbury, Suffolk The Theatre Museum with The Noël Coward Foundation parents first met in the choir and the 15 & 16 Oct St Paul’s Girls’ School, Hammersmith, London Presents birthplace of The Master himself. We 17 Oct to 8 Nov Theatre Royal, York are planning to hold this event on a 23 Oct to 15 Nov Citizens Theatre, Glasgow THE COMEDY OF COWARD FESTIVAL Sunday in the Spring of 2004. The cost 24 Jan to 7 Feb 2004 Eye Theatre, Suffolk November 2 - 18 2003 will be kept to a minimum and the timing 6 Mar to 3 Apr 2004 Derby Playhouse With the generous support of The Noël Coward Foundation the Theatre will allow members and their guests to Waiting In The Wings 30 Sep to 4 Oct The Old Market, Brighton Museum is delighted to be able to present this short season celebrating the leave in time to enjoy some of their Relative Values 16 to 18 Oct Wesley Players, High St. Methodist Ch. Witney, Yorks comic genius of Noël Coward in words and music. Details of the entire evening at home! More on this in the Fallen Angels 10 to 15 Nov Arundel players, The Priory Place, Arundel, W. programme are given on page 2 column 1 of this edition of Home Chat. December issue of Home Chat.

The Noël Coward Society, 29, Waldemar Avenue, Hellesdon, Norwich, NR6 6TB Email: homechat@Noëlcoward.net Tel: +44 (0)1603 486 188 Fax: +44 (0)1603 400 683 Page 12 THE COMEDY OF COWARD Dick Vosburgh is a lyricist, performer, Webber West End musical Jeeves the Editor reveals how a mild obsession FESTIVAL comedy writer and broadcaster. He (which was broadcast on Radio 2) and THE COLLECTOR’S LOT!!!!!! can turn into an incurable disease! was recently Col. Pickering to Alex November 2 - 18 2003 wrote lyrics for musicals such as A Day There cannot be many Noël Coward Believe me when I say you will not ever garner favour with similarly infected Jennings’s Professor Higgins in My Theatre Museum, in Hollywood, A Night in the Ukraine, fans who do not collect something of - never - no how - no way- ever get souls and look for common glints of Fair Lady at Drury Lane. Covent Garden, London Windy City and A Saint She Ain’t. He their hero - however passing and round to cataloguing your collection. recognition in fellow collector’s eyes - , distinguished as a top also co-wrote (with Robin Ray) the whimsical it may be. We buy books, Once you have catalogued your “Hey Doris he’s writing about me! performer since leaving university, and Sunday 2nd November book for Noël and Cole, Let’s Do It CDs and collect the odd programme programmes you will need a catalogue That’s me I tell you!” As if Doris appearing with comic insistence across THE PLAYS which began at Chichester Festival perhaps - may have a vinyl or two or for the catalogues. It’s an archivists needed any telling - she’s been trying stage, radio and television in The A study day on Noël Coward’s comic Theatre. As a performer he worked on even a fragile Plum Labelled 78. If you nightmare! to clear out what you laughingly Establishment, achieved international writing. With special guest; The Last of the 1948 Show and Monty have just a few of these items then you defend as a study for the Christopher Luscombe, who will Python’s Flying Circus As a writer he recognition with her leading role in past ten years - a room discuss Coward’s plays in has contributed to many BBC comedy Help!, with The Beatles. She reprises that is known, in the performance and will look at some shows such as The Two Ronnies and her role as Coward’s devoted secretary family, as the ‘Cess Pit.’ scenes from Star Quality in action. Kenny Everett as well as providing Lorn Lorraine; and Tam Williams You haven’t yet got round Christopher Luscombe adapted Star material for comics from Bob Hope to returns as Coward’s valet, and later to storing any of this in Quality and directed Tommy Cooper and Rory Bremner. biographer, Cole Lesley, following his suitable containers - not a in the London production. For further information creation of the role in the first of the sign of acid-free paper or please contact: plays, Design for Murder. card anywhere. You use Sunday 9th November Malcolm Jones +44 (0) 20 7943 4804 Guests in this production include Linda book-shelving that would THE NOËL COWARD COMEDY Tickets: £8.00 (£6.00 concessions) Marlowe, who created many of the have been rejected by the LECTURE & COWARD’S COMEDY for all events. leading female roles in Steven Berkoff’s lowliest garage all in IN MUSIC plays, recently touring in the solo mismatching wood and A special talk to celebrate the genius show, Berkoff’s Women, and appearing metal. You do not want of Coward’s comic writing. A Bullet at Balmain’s: as Ginette Spanier, Coward’s friend and anyone to enter your Guest Speaker: John Lahr A Noël Coward directrice of Pierre Balmain in 1948. collectors comfort zone - John Lahr is one of the most respected William Hootkins, fresh from his least of all do you want writers on theatre today. He is a regular Murder Mystery acclaimed performance as Alfred anyone to see what you columnist for The New Yorker and Hitchcock in the West End’s Hitchcock have got!! Now come on Blonde, with a film pedigree tracing wrote the indispensable, Noël Coward th guys we need help or at Saturday, 8 November, 2003 back to the first Star Wars adventure, The Plays (Methuen). BBC Radio 4 least direction, we need to Followed by Special Guest: Sir and with masterful radio incarnations John Mills (personal 2.30 - 3.30 pm of J. Edgar Hoover and , commitments permitting) who is Jean-Marc Delafosse, a Parisian Twice before, the playwright Marcy black-marketeer. will share some of his memories Kahan has sent the fictional playwright of meeting and working with Sir Marcy Kahan’s credits in radio are could be on a fairly safe Noël Coward off on mystery numerous, from the dramatisations of Noël. Sir John famously made path to sanity. adventures for Radio 4 that parallel the War and Peace and Adventures of one of his earliest stage If however you have career of the real Noël Coward. Huckleberry Finn, to many original appearances as a song and burgeoning bookcases Magisterially performed once again by dramas including the prizewinning dance man in Cowards , crammed to their dead- , Coward finds himself Everybody Comes to Schiklegruber’s Words and Music. ends with texts -ancient caught up in yet another murder, this and the of the writing of This will be followed by a audio/visual and modern - 1st time threatening his opening night of Welles’s “”, Victorville. presentation on the musical comedy of editions of everything Present Laughter in France - where he Producer: Noël Coward by writer and musical is to perform in French. Coward at least twice, historian, Rex Bunnett. A Bullet at Balmain’s: A Noël Coward (Marcy Kahan and Ned Chaillet are major reprints, all the Murder Mystery, is set in the world of both members of the Noël Coward play series, theatre Sunday 16th November & Tuesday French couture and theatre in the Society committee) programmes, 18th November gun-toting days after the end of the commemorative NOËL COWARD and...OTHERS Second World War. Buying his long- programmes, promotion A pocket revue written and compiled by suffering secretary Lorn Lorraine a Noël Coward LETTERS...! pieces and publications, stop hiding ourselves away and making Dick Vosburgh dress at Pierre Balmain, Coward is posters, flyers, sheet every visit anywhere an excuse to go to The premiere of a new musical struck by the beauty of ZouZou, a Barry Day writes that The Noël Coward music, LPs, theatre that little book/theatre/poster shop entertainment highlighting the many mannequin on the catwalk. When she LETTERS project reported in a recent magazines with rusty round the corner from .... We need to say facets of Sir Noël’s extraordinary life is promptly murdered, Coward is edition of Home Chat is moving along staples, collected theatre The signs of impending demise is of hello to our partners and family and and career. For instance..Coward and distracted from his rehearsals, and well and he has accumulated copies of magazines, compendia of theatre course the notorious ‘ebay eye’ red become affable and generous people Cochran, Coward and Kern, Coward lured into his dangerous addiction to all of the letters from Les Avants, the magazines, compendia of compendia of puffy, limp and droopy from watching again. Enjoy our lives... stop counting and the Sitwells, Coward and the crime detection. Noël Coward Archive at Birmingham theatre magazines, a complete set your computer screen right up to the the number of NC signed books we have Censor, Coward and Jamaica. Malcolm Sinclair, presently appearing University, the British Library and (signed of course) of James Agate’s moment the virtual hammer falls and ... draw a halt ... see reason ... visit a With songs, poetry and prose, at the Royal Shakespeare Company at elsewhere. Does anyone know anyone EGO biographies, books on theatre, the ebay lot is yours or not! Put like psychiatrist and most importantly .... including two songs, only recently, Stratford on Avon, has played Noël in who knows anyone who has a Noël music, revue, theatrical history, cabaret this, one is surely bound to say please ....go to the Auction at The Savoy on discovered written by Coward with both the previous Noël Coward Coward letter that he should add to the (including posters, cards etc.,) then ‘get a life!’ You have guessed of course 13th December ... they have a privately Jerome Kern which may be little mysteries, and was also Jeeves in the collection ... copies or transcriptions dearly beloved you are approaching a that I am writing about myself - this printed copy of the one book that I known if not completely unknown to / Andrew Lloyd welcomed? diseased state that cannot be relieved. cathartic exercise is purely designed to haven’t seen for twenty ...... ! audiences in . Page 2 Page 11 that style. It’s a much more realistic play. It doesn’t have any artificiality.” Harris has never lived in a place like “The Wings,” but neither is she ignorant of such PASSING STAGES institutions. Her friend, Radie Harris (no relation), long the author of The Hollywood Reporter’s Broadway by Louis Botto Ballyhoo column, lives at the Actors’ Fund Home in (Interesting item from Mr. Botto’s ongoing column that appeared in the November 1984 issue of Playbill Englewood, N.J. “She’s my dearest friend,” said Harris. - it has been gently lifted from the Ken Starrett archive!) “Whenever I’m in New York, I go out to visit her. I take FIRST NIGHT detectives and the jeweler’s ‘security appearance here in the 1931 smash, some champagne and smoked salmon, and we have a man. O’Donohue assured the querulous Private Lives, but it also gave Gertie lovely picnic in the middle of the green room. So, in a FELONIES group that the theft was just a silly an opportunity to wear a ravishing way, I feel I’ve done my research for a retirement home prank and that the British noblewoman succession of gowns in Noël’s nine Has there ever been a Broadway for actors. I’ve done a residency.” At some point before would return the pin at the next interval. one-act plays (a full page announce- opening night that had more drama, the New York opening, the entire cast of Waiting in the “Nothing doing,” rasped the detective, ment it the PLAYBILL proclaimed: mystery and suspense in the audience Wings - which includes Elizabeth Wilson, Patricia who threatened to make an immediate Miss Gertrude Lawrence is dressed, than Tonight at 8:30 starring Noël Conolly, Dana Ivey, Rosemary Murphy, Simon Jones arrest. on-and offstage exclusively by Coward and Gertrude Lawrence at the and Barnard Hughes - will take a field trip to the real O’Donohue calmed the group down, of London). In the National Theatre (now the Nederlander, “Wings.” “Of course, Noël’s not waiting in the wings but not until they had fetched Lady audience that night, Princess Natalie current home of Rent) in 1936? Last anymore,” Harris notes with a laugh. “He’s gone Tredegar from her seat and filched the Paley wore an epaulet cape in mink, May, in the PLAYBILL Centennial offstage.” Meanwhile, there are other, more fundamen- pin from her. The incident immediately Gladys Swarthout wore a mink cape issued dedicated to “Fashion and tal forms of research to which one must attend. Remarks became known as the Lady Tredegar- over her head, Constance Bennett Broadway,” I nostalgically reported the Bacall casually: “I have to start memorizing my lines.” Lucius Beebe brouhaha and the British wore a startling pale blue lame gown, theft of a costly fur coat during the first Comes a clipped, English voice from offstage: “Don’t Embassy was apprised of the scandal. corded and wired at the hem, Amelia act intermission of that show and forget: word perfect.” Nor was that the end of the matter. Earhart, Mrs. William Randolph Hearst observed that a diligent detective had When O’Donohue went backstage to and Libby Holman all wore mink and a nabbed the crook and returned the see Noël and Gertie after the show, Noël number of gentlemen showed up in chinchilla to its quivering owner by the Bacall met and befriended Coward in her early years in fixed his Mandarin eyes on his friend Inverness capes. end of the third act. Hollywood. Right: ‘The Look’ and ‘The Master’ on the set of and hissed, “Joe - you were always a But the event of that opening was not It now turns out that there was another the 1956 television production of “Blithe Spirit” notorious scene stealer.” the play nor the audience but the theft heist at that first night that had far more of a costly fur coat during the first act social significance than my little All in all, old timers agree that there was intermission. By the end of the third chinchilla caper. a better show in the audience at the act, a vigilant security man topped The morning mail recently delivered me opening of Tonight at 8:30 than Noël and Gertie’s performances by COWARD ON THE WEB...... a note from socialite Joseph J. onstage. catching the thief and returning the Internet users will be pleased to know that the Noël Coward Estate has O’Donohue IV, one of ’s coat to its owner as the final curtain begun the development of a family of websites to provide and connect legendary first nighters of the 1920’s (Ken Starrett notes: On November 24, fell. information from different bodies that represent or have an official and 1930’s, who now resides in San 1936 the opening group of plays in connection with Noël Coward. Francisco. order were “Hands Across the Sea,” (Louis Botto is the author of the book Mr. O’Donohue is currently writing his “The Astonished Heart,” and “Red At This Theatre) The lead site will be www.Noëlcoward.co.uk and provide an memoirs and intends to reveal in length Peppers.” Considering the quiet, non- introduction to the Estate and those that manage and represent it. the international situation he witnessed comic nature of “The Astonished This site will provide basic information on the Master and provide at that premiere. Here in brief, is what Heart,” all of the fracas at the back of links to those sites that the Estate recognises and supports. It will act happened. the theatre and up and down the aisles as the initial enquiry point for four major sites designed to support the Mr. O’Donohue who was a dear friend must have turned the play into an utter needs and interests of theatre and music professionals, the publishing and commercial world, students and amateurs. of Noël and Gertie’s, hosted an elegant shambles. I am certain Coward could theatre party for their opening. Among not have been happy about the situa- The websites are: his guests was the late Vicountess Lois tion. Depending on the line reading, The Estate of the Late Noël Coward www.Noëlcoward.co.uk - this site is currently being designed and is in draft form on the Tredegar of London. Also present was his comment to O’Donohue, while on ‘net. The pages provide information on those who manage and represent the Estate and its interests across the World - O’Donohue’s friend Lucius Beebe, the the surface appearing to be lightly contacts for licensing Coward’s work with their addresses and details - key reference books and an article on the Noël Coward flamboyant columnist and bon vivant comic would seem to hide some Archive at Birmingham University (author of Shoot If You Must) who wore displeasure). The Noël Coward Foundation www.Noëlcoward.org - is currently being designed and not yet published on the ‘net a $10,000 diamond gardenia as a The Noël Coward Society www.Noëlcoward.net - this website was established in 2000 and is currently being redeveloped to boutonniere, borrowed from a local The item he refers to in the May 1984 change the balance between pages that are publicly available and those available to members and subscribers. The website jeweler for the occasion. issue is as follows: will incorporate a search facility and Dominic Vlasto and Alan Farley’s Noël Coward Music Index. Lady Tredegar announced to The opening of Gertrude Lawrence and The Noël Coward Special Collection Birmingham University www.isresearch.bham.ac.uk/SpecColl.asp - this site is planning O’Donohue that no man should wear Noël Coward in Tonight at 8:30 on to develop pages for the archive collection. Some information is currently available. jewelry of that ilk in public and, during November 24, 1936 at the National Alan Brodie Representation www.alanbrodie.com - this is an established website that is regularly updated with information on the first act intermission, managed to Theatre (now the Nederlander) consti- professional Noël Coward productions. pilfer the gaudy gardenia. tuted in the words of PLAYBILL’s The second act was just underway fashion reporter, Nell Gwynne, “a Other relevant websites: when a stranger tapped O’Donohue on sartorial challenge to First-Nighters.” Noël Coward and Gertrude Lawrence Samuel French www.samuelfrench.com Samuel French (London) www.samuelfrench-london.co.uk the shoulder and summoned him to the Not only was it Noël and Gertie’s first in The Astonished Heart Warner Chappell www.warnerchappell.com Methuen Publishing www.methuen.co.uk rear of the theatre. There O’Donohue New York show together since their from ‘Tonight at 8.30’ saw a pale Beebe surrounded by five Page 10 Page 3 the recollections of actors taken from the programme of the 1981 Redgrave Theatre WINGS OVER BROADWAY by Robert Simonson Memories of Cavalcade production of Cavalcade. It was claimed that this was the first professional revival of this Coward This piece is taken from a December 1999 PLAYBILL and was written to promote the revival of Waiting In The Wings Evelyn Laye classic since its original production in 1931 (Kindly provided by Ken Starrett) I think it is a wonderful production the son of the house fell in love with me. and , the two have been carrying on a feud word. I was very anxious.” for you to do. So exciting with so Mr. Coward forgot one thing when he put me in the play. I stars of the Broadway premiere of Noël for 30 years. Coward’s comedy bowed The two-time Tony winner is also many taking part. Noël was, I was still growing, and John Mills, who played my lover, Coward’s Waiting in the Wings, share in London’s West End at a time when anxious about “Wings”, her first know, very proud of Cavalcade. It didn’t seem to grow as much. After the first year I began to fond memories of the playwright the playwright was considered passe appearance on Broadway since 1981’s gave a tremendous message to all slump a bit on the stage and at the second year Mr. Coward by critics and - because he had Woman of the Year. “At the moment I’m of us who saw it and made us feel sat Mr. Mills and me at a table because I was too lanky for moved to Switzerland to escape frightened, I would say. That’s an we really belonged and were part the love scenes. I just grew to be a very tall girl! England’s high taxes - something understatement,” said Bacall, though of our country It was such a marvellous play and we were such a wonder- of a pariah among the British one is hesitant to believe it. (This is ful show; I loved doing every minute of it. I wish you much press and public. It ran for a few not an actress who has ever been John success with your production and I do wish I was there to months, closed and never saw described as tremulous or retiring.) Mills see it. It would bring back many happy memories. these shores until now. “England Harris was less familiar with Coward I must usually prizes its talents,” ob- than Bacall, although he did introduce congratulate The Redgrave Theatre served Bacall, “but in this case, it himself into her life at an early moment. for planning to present Cavalcade. I was asked to audition and told what for and then went to didn’t.” A new appreciation of “My first meeting with him, I was 22 I was lucky enough to play audition. I was 14 years old at that time and I knew this was Coward’s work has come with his and opening in London in The Seven Joey Marryott in the original one part I was going to get, centennial. (Waiting in the Wings, Year Itch. There was a little tap at my production at Drury Lane in 1931 because I had long hair and produced by Alexander H. Cohen, dressing room door - one of the and I still regard it as one of the it was a period piece and I Chase Mishkin, Steven M. Levy previews, I think it was - and I opened most exciting experiences of my looked old fashioned. and Leonard Soloway, will open it thinking it was a friend of mine. And fifty years in the theatre. It was a foggy day and the on December 16, the author’s there was Noël Coward standing at the Sir Noël Coward directed the mammoth cast from the front auditions were at the 100th birthday.) The anniversary door, saying, ‘I thought you were row of the dress circle - he treated every one of the 100 Adelphi Theatre. We were has led to a half-dozen Coward marvelous.’ I was absolutely over- extras as if they were the stars of the show - I doubt if that put on stage in a line and revivals in the West End, but whelmed. I couldn’t believe his kind- great theatre has ever been occupied by a happier band of Noël Coward came along in Waiting in the Wings stands as ness, because I was nobody.” strolling players in all its long and celebrated history. a black coat, an Astrakhan It’s rather comforting to know that Noël the only 1999 Broadway produc- Harris’s first major Coward credit didn’t Collar, black hat and carry- Coward approved of both Lauren Bacall tion of the master’s work. “Anything come until decades after that backstage ing a cane. He walked along and Rosemary Harris, the two stars of that has to do with honoring him, an meeting, with the 1985 Broadway Celia Johnson the line and his finger Waiting in the Wings, the 1960 Coward absolutely incredible talent, I am happy revival of Hay Fever. In the comedy All I can say is welcome to your pointed to me, and I was play directed by Michael Langham that to be a part of,” stated Bacall. production of Cavalcade and delighted. It wasn’t a is receiving its Broadway premiere this Bacall met Coward through welcome most warmly. I remem- speaking part, but there are so many scenes where children month at the Walter Kerr Theatre. Humphrey Bogart. “He was a ber seeing it, years ago, long appear. The playwright-director-songwriter- great friend of Bogey’s,” she before I knew Noël Coward so I The first night was an enormous success, but I remember singer himself considered both ac- recalled. “They were in the cannot claim any words of my mother didn’t like it, although I don’t know why. I was tresses worthy talents and cast (or, at theatre together - not in the wisdom falling from his lips in it for about four months. The girls were in one room with least, tried to cast) them in his plays. same plays, but at the same about it. It was a staggering a Miss Knight, who I remember very well, and the boys Coward tapped Bacall to play Elvira in a time. And they had a lot of success, and remains with me as were in another room. 1956 television version of “Blithe mutual friends and got to know a memory of pageants, and On this particular night one of these children was in a Spirit,” which he also starred in and each other very well.” The people and sadness and jollity terrible state. Some boy had said something to her and she directed. Sir Noël wasn’t so lucky in his unlikely friendship conjures up and movement and a kaleido- was giggling. It was a four lettered word and she eventu- efforts to nab a young Harris for the US visions of the stars of Casa- scope of impressions, some ally said it! This dear old lady (Miss Knight) knew some- premiere of Nude with Violin. blanca and Private Lives both fleeting, some more definite. I expect it will be the same thing was going on and broke it up. I didn’t know what it “I’m afraid I kept turning him down,” smoking cigarettes and sipping again. Good luck was about and after the show I got on a bus and then a said Harris, mournfully. “It was maybe a martinis but with quite different train to go home. I met my mother and we walked home. I bit arrogant, now that I look back on it. airs. “An odd pair,” admits asked her what ‘....’ meant. My mother went absolutely It was an English part, and I didn’t Bacall, “but nevertheless.” Binnie Barnes green and was in a state of great shock and she told me I want to.” Soon after, Coward invited What can I tell you about was never going to go back to that Theatre again - and so I Harris is now making up for that lost Bacall to appear with him in Cavalcade when I was in the never went back. At some later date I remember her telling opportunity by appearing in the “Blithe Spirit,” the television production at Drury Lane? me she only knew the word because she had nursed the American debut of Waiting in the production that also starred Claudette she played sociopathic stage diva Remember, I was quite young. soldiers during the war! Of course it was exciting to do, but Wings. She plays the role of May Colbert as Ruth and Mildred Natwick as Judith Bliss, a character who shared a Noël Coward was the one who until the film was made years later I never saw the whole Davenport, who rules the roost at “The Madame Arcati. “I was thrilled to be profession with May Davenport, but heard me singing and thought I thing through, because apart from the Seaside Scene and a Wings,” a charity home where retired asked,” she remembered. “And, of little else. Comparing Fever and Wings, would be ideal for the young couple of others we were kept in the dressing rooms. actresses while away their sunset course, he was flummoxed by televi- Harris considered, “I read somewhere girl who sits on the piano and I remember seeing John Mills and Binnie Barnes, who I can years. Lauren Bacall is Lotta Bain- sion. It was fascinating to me to see that with Coward the words should be sings Twentieth Century Blues. remember singing Twentieth Century Blues, and Mary bridge, perhaps the most regal of the Noël Coward nervous. He told me, `The tossed in a air and then hit without too As you know, I was supposed Clare in the Trafalgar Scene at the end. I can remember the play’s many regal grand dames, and a first day of rehearsal you must be word much force. You can’t be too heavy- to be the cook’s daughter and dress rehearsal - in those days dress rehearsals went on all rival (in more ways than one) of May perfect.’ I, of course, learned every handed. But I don’t think this play is in

Page 4 Page 9 Part of a series of reprints of notable theatrical night. And I can remember Mary Clare lifting her glass in a Private Lives had a cast of four; Cavalcade, which in 22 ECHOES FROM BROADWAY . . . productions associated with Noël Coward and toast ‘For peace evermore’. Nobody realised how poignant it scenes stretched over 30 years, had over 100. his contemporaries. This piece is from the April was at the time, but that’s obviously the way to end it. The first night was a near disaster. Some of the compli- by 1941 edition of Theatre World The other thing I can remember was when Noël Coward gave cated stage machinery jammed and cast and audience Our his permission for the show to be filmed and they came over had to wait for what seemed an eternity while the stage American himself an office off the stage of the from Hollywood with their cameras. I remember Mary Clare hands struggled to free it. John Mills remembers watch- Alvin Theatre. being very angry that she didn’t get a part. In fact there was ing Noël sitting in a box apparently smiling and relaxed Correspondent has been given one only one person from the show who went to Hollywood to be while small beads of nervous perspiration dripped from of the most elaborate and expensive in the film. his chin. Coward himself used to recall that he had just productions of recent years. The I would like to see the show but it has been a bad winter and I decided to send the audience home ‘when the red light E. flashbacks have been handled in such hope to be able to get away for some sun, but we will see. went on in the conductor’s desk and we went on again’. Mawby a manner on the four revolving stages The show finished in a blaze of glory. John Mills says “I that instead of appearing episodic Elaine Stritch know it was the most exciting first night that I have ever Green they move smoothly into the mood of had anything to do with” the play. has contributed I remember with love, having an But even Noël Coward could hardly have expected the some of his brightest lyrics, and the argument (a rather excited one) rave notices Cavalcade received or its fantastic popu- (Left): music of is adequate and as everything was with Noël, larity among what seems to have been nearly everybody Gertrude Lawrence as pleasantly appealing. is during the rehearsals of Sail in the British Isles from the Royal Family downwards. she appears in Lady in outstandingly fine in the large and Away in 1961. Did the contrast between its assured national confi- the Dark, which has expertly chosen cast. It is his lot to I said: “Noël, I just know I’m dence and the surrounding depression of the 30s have taken New York by storm. appear as a “queenly” inclined Right!!” something to do with it? If so what an appropriate show magazine photographer, and he He replied, to put on in this year when The Wedding will surely PHOTO BY “Don’t Raise Your Voice AT ME - VANDAMM STUDIO, interprets this high-strung she-man reveal once more that patriotism and love of country, NEW YORK. with extraordinarily funny results, I wrote CAVALCADE!” which usually seems buried under stress and strain and climaxed with his rendition of prejudice of all kinds. We need an upsurge of confi- After being tied down for the past four her nerves, and where we learn that she “Tchaikowsky,” a song about Russian Also included in the programme was this piece from Stanley dence in our nation. This production of Cavalcade may years to straight comedy roles : first in is Liza Elliott the editor of a smart composers. “” gets Hall who was a lifelong friend of Sir Noël Coward and he was help to give it. ’ Susan and God and Gertie’s chassis shaking in a wicked, associate producer on the biography - made for television This women’s magazine. Something has The following is an extract from The Theatrical then ’s Skylark, lowbrow wiggle, which sets the house is Noël Coward. Stanley created the wigs and make-up during snapped in her hitherto absorbed but Companion To Coward by Raymond Mander and Joe Gertrude Lawrence has at last cut loose on fire, whereupon Gertie covers her the many years for the Master. Because of his friendship with contented setup. She has been living Mitchenson and quoted in the programme: and is now having a sensational suc- happily with a married man whose wife face with a highbrow hand in mortifi- Coward, when he created the three ranges of fragrances for cess in a musical play, Lady in the Dark, cation. , fresh from the men and women - all of which Coward loved and used - he was would not divorce him. He is about to On October 28, 1931, King and Queen Mary, by , with lyrics by Ira Gersh- films, presents a strikingly handsome given permission to name them after Coward shows. A selec- secure his freedom but now she cannot with the Prince of Wales, the then Duke and Duchess of win and music by Kurt Weill, presented figure as a Hollywood movie star, and tion of these fragrances Blithe Spirit, Conversation Piece and feel the same enthusiasm for wanting to York, the Duke of Kent, and other members of the Royal by Sam H. Harris at the Alvin Theatre. adds considerably to the spectacle Easy Virtue are on sale in the Redgrave Theatre Shop.. marry him ; neither can she bring herself Family, saw the play amid scenes of patriotic fervour and Although London theatregoers were aspect of the show. The production to decide on the Easter Cover for the loyal enthusiasm. privileged to see Miss Lawrence several and lighting was done by Hassard Easter number of the magazine, with the The Patriotic Coward by Stanley Hall The Mirabelle musical comedy (Part I, Scene 4) was seasons ago in the revue Nymph Short, settings by Harry Horner, deadline confronting her frantically on “Cavalcade is pronounced Success” is the critic’s notice revived with an all star cast and chorus at the “. . . Errant, it is over ten years since costumes designed by , all sides. So the psychoanalyst probes which bewildered a visiting Merely Players” performance, London Coliseum, America has had an opportunity to gowns designed by , into her confused mind and puts Liza Frenchman outside the Theatre November 20, 1949. marvel at her magnificence when tossed and the choreography by Albertina Elliott through a series of flashbacks, Royal in the early 30s. He knew At a similar performance, March 20, 1952, at Drury Lane, headlong into a musical production. Of Rasch. Mr. Hart attended to the drawing out her various complexes from English to be a difficult the deck scene was revived with Margaret Lockwood course, she sang “Some Day I’ll Find staging of the play himself, and since the’ time she was four until the forty language with an illogical and Michael Wilding. You” with Noël Coward in Private Lives, Lady in the Dark is one of those years she is today. This keeps Miss system of pronunciation Cavalcade was filmed in America in 1932, directed by and a few other careless bars in a turn or productions that is entirely dependent Lawrence in a constant state of dressing (bough . . . cough . . . etc.) but Frank Lloyd with and Clive Brook as the two with the same Mr. Coward in for its success on its star, the manage- and undressing, singing and dancing, this he felt went too far. Marryots. It was shown in London in February 1933, and Tonight at 8.30, whenever these play- ment has taken the precaution to with her moods darting swiftly from the Cavalcade was indeed both an a Command Performance was given at Windsor Castle in lets demanded she come across in song insure this valuable property against daydreams of sweet sixteen to the enormous success and a great the following May. and dance, but that’s about all the loss of box-office receipts due to the overwrought woman behind the editorial surprise. The young Noël In 1955 a 44 minute film version was made for television Gertrude Lawrence as a revue artist we inability of Miss Lawrence to perform. desk. Coward had earned a reputa- showing in America, with Michael Wilding and Merle have seen over here since 1930. Paramount has paid the record- So successful is Miss Lawrence’s tion as a romantic with Bitter Oberon. This ‘Featurette’ was generally released to It is not surprising, then, that her breaking price of $283,000 for the interpretation of the nerve-wrecked Liza Sweet (1928) and earlier as a British cinemas in 1956, and shown on BBC TV in 1961, current appearance in Lady in the Dark picture rights. Elliott that by the end of the first act the brittle, witty, rather decadent man about town with The Vortex. then called Heart of a Woman. should be drawing the town, and after audience is almost ready to be carted en And now here came a spectacular Cochran production at the Coward gave his permission for this play to be per- the opening night rave notices, placed Lady in the Dark provides one of masse to Dr. Brooks’ office for a going Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, with all the elaborate technical formed (its first revival) by students of the Rose Bruford this show at the top of the hits. those rare evenings in the theatre that over. The name Liza Elliott is buzzing in facilities and stage effects possible there. Perhaps the one Training College of Speech and Drama as their tenth It is a truly amazing performance that is so superbly satisfying that you will your head for days and days after. But which remains still in the memory is the troop ship full of anniversary production at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in July Miss Lawrence gives. She is on the never forget it, and will doubtless be the cure is so effective, however, that at soldiers leaving for the Boer War. The play was full of loving 1960. It was directed by Rose Bruford, and later revived stage practically the whole three hours remembered as the play wherein the final curtain the audience feels the patriotism and to everyone’s surprise was not written ‘tongue by her students at the Scala Theatre in 1966. of the play. First when she visits the Gertrude Lawrence scored her same uplift as Liza Elliott, and you find it in cheek’. This was an unexpected Coward. The Redgrave Theatre production is the first profes- office of Dr. Brooks, a psychoanalyst, to greatest American triumph. difficult to restrain your enthusiasm and Noël Coward began to write Cavalcade in New York while sional stage revival of Cavalcade after nearly 30 years try and untangle the hopeless jangle of appreciation. Dr. Brooks’ should get playing in the Broadway production of Private Lives.

Page 8 Page 5 Donald Smith for the last fourteen years has presented his Cabaret Convention at “Come to the Cabaret …” by Ken Starrett Town Hall. This popular week-long event in October has made the public increas- ingly aware of the cabaret world. It showcases the talents of some 90 performers. The space could be a small room upstairs over a bar, the ground floor of a brownstone dwelling, or an elegant dining room in a He is now producing similar conventions in other cities across America. Mr. Smith posh hotel. One finds many such places being used to foster that intimate form of entertainment known as cabaret. The produced the incredible Coward Centenary Gala at Carnegie Hall in 1999, using choices of venue are limitless, and for audiences and performers alike, the cabaret scene has become a vibrant and exciting cabaret performers. part of . “The Master” himself performed very successfully in cabaret, yet another theatrical arena to make use of his spectacular talents. Many members of the Noël Coward Society happen to be entertainers who have made significant Geoff Stoner, a contributions to this very special industry. With the beginning of a new season, it seems only fitting to recognize their versatile performer, accomplishments as they carry on the cabaret tradition has received acclaim for his performances in both plays and musicals. No stranger to various in New York, he was recently presented in “A Short Visit Only.” This is a most engaging one-man show he wrote himself, telling the life of Noël Coward by using songs, verses, and anecdotes. We applaud all these performers and wish them continued success. With such a strong presence by Society members in the cabaret world, it is nice to know that the words and music of Noël Coward will continue to find new audiences.

NEWS...VIEWS...... AND CORRECTIONS! rumors persist that Lunt and Coward The 23rd of October sees the publica- On Page 9 in our last edition we had an affair. Lynn adored Noël, “a tion of Margot Peter’s book on Alfred incorrectly spelt the name of Michael lovely companion!” He was twenty- Lunt and Lynn Fontanne who with FEINSTEIN who one, thin and just under six feet, with Noël Coward formed the happy trio that will be perform- sleek hair, a bony face, high cheek- years later indulged their successful ing Coward bones, and Chinese eyes. Almost theatrical personas in Design For songs during twelve years older, Lynn mothered him, Richard Barclay, producer of an Lorna Dallas, with her soaring soprano Eileen Fulton is a popular star on the Living. Noël’s first entry in this hugely two half hour listening as he read them his plays- Academy-Award winning film on the voice, is often seen in cabaret perform- television soap opera, “As the World enjoyable book sets the scene for the broadcasts of clever, she thought, though arrogant. life of Norman Rockwell, brings a ances and heard on recordings. She Turns.” Her many fans support her success that was to come: his Michael She introduced him to Helen Hayes background of many years in Broadway performs music by major composers dramatic cabaret appearances that she Feinstein (Noël might distract her from Alfred); musicals to his frequent cabaret such as Porter, Kern, and, of course, has built around music both amusing Songbook series but Helen wasn’t interested in either engagements. As a singer and actor, he Noël Coward. Her busy career also and touching. Her varied experience on BBC Radio 2 . enjoys developing his entertaining acts includes prominent roles in major as an actress in Broadway plays Noël or his plays. Then Lynn called Michael Feinstein They complete around a central theme using music enhances the quality of her perform- Frank Crowninshield, the editor of theatrical productions in New York and the Autumn from films and the theatre. London. ances. Vanity Fair. Crowninshield bought series and should be aired sometime in Noël’s short, story “A Withered December. Geoffrey Johnson and Barry Nosegay.” Not Broadway, but he could Day were interviewed for the pro- eat. gramme. This is the first time one Alfred found Noël enchanting, worldly, composer has filled two programmes - a little sad. He could talk about his prolific doesn’t start to describe and Lynn’s “happy delirium all the Coward’s musical output! while we were with you”; camp their letdown at his departure: “We lie Chicago Humanities Festival are about like two ravished nuns-quiver- planning a Coward seminar in the ing & exhausted but oh so-oh SO-very Spring for teachers from all over the very glad.” “Into Dr. Rounds’s boarding house mid-West. All three were frustrated: Lynn that June-and into their lives-burst a because she couldn’t pin Alfred down young Brit with seventy-five dollars The next season of BBC Radio Great to marriage, Alfred because she was and a suitcase of play scripts. Noël Lives series trying, Noël because Broadway hadn’t Coward remembered Lynn from dance contains a recognised that he could sing, dance parties at the Ham and Bone Club in programme compose songs, write plays act - Andrea Marcovicci has a busy film and Gregory Moore is a classically trained Steve Ross is a popular cabaret London, “a scraggy, friendly girl with featuring anything it asked of him. They were television career. She draws heavily baritone who has performed with both entertainer, who is completely at ease intelligent brown eyes and a raucous Philip Hoare three rockets waiting to go off. “From on a theatrical background for her well- the Metropolitan Opera and New York performing the music of many compos- laugh”; he hoped a fellow Brit might and Michael these shabby congenial rooms, we researched cabaret and concert City Opera. His cabaret production of ers including Porter, Gershwin or introduce him around and lend him Imison who projected ourselves into future emi- presentations. Performing little known “Croon” at The Firebird is a result of Coward. Appearances in Brazil, the odd quid. She introduced him to will be nence,” wrote Noël. music by major composers, the music three years of intensive research. It is Australia, Japan, and England have Alfred. The three-way attraction was providing Design for Living - Alfred Lunt and of Noël Coward is strongly represented his own concept and chronicles a gained him international acclaim. He is instant. Gay himself, Noël found views, as the Lynn Fontanne. A biography by Margot in her work. history of the “crooner sound.” known for a polished singing style and Alfred “particularly attractive” but guest experts Peter Bazalgette Peters. Published by Alfred A Knopf, imaginative piano arrangements of his noted also that he and Lynn were for Peter Bazalgette’s choice of Noël New York Price $30 own invention. courting, “to put it mildly.” However, Coward as his Great Life! Page 6 Page 7