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Home , Butley (play), Christopher Matthew, Fumed Oak, Gielgud Theatre, Novello Theatre, Patricia Hodge

In the UK... and Home Chat is the newsletter Production News: 6 & 7 Ju - Aldborough Players, Community of The Noël Coward Society FREE TO The National Theatre has announced that Centre, Aldborough, Norfolk - directed by wholly owned by MEMBERS OF PRESENT LAUGHTER will open at the NCS Secretary John Knowles Noël Coward Ltd. which is THE SOCIETY Lyttleton in October with . part of the charitable trust: Price £2 ($4) June 2007 8 to 25 Jul - St Austell Players, St Austell The Noël Coward Foundation. Arts Centre, St Austell, Cornwall JUNE 2007 - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE NOËL COWARD SOCIETY Unless otherwise stated all 5 Feb to 18 Jun - UK tour / Bill 18 to 29 Aug - Medway Little Theatre, CHAT images and text are copyright Kenwright production with Stephanie Rochester, Kent to NC Aventales AG Beacham & Christopher Timothy will be at 7 & 8 Aug - Rutherglen Repertory Theatre, All correspondence to: the , Bromley (0870 060 Town Hall, Rutherglen, Glasgow, Scotland The Noël Coward Society, COWARD IN TEN - OPENS AT TEN CHIMNEYS 6620) - from Mon 9th to Sat 14th April. 29 Waldemar Avenue, 29 Jun to 7 Jul - Hever Lakeside Theatre 13 to 18 Aug - Centre Stage Theatre Coim- Hellesdon, Norwich, en Chimneys, the incredible estate in Genesee Coward In Ten poster at Ten Chimneys pany, Diverse Attractions, Edinburgh NR6 6TB, UK Depot, Wisconsin, that belonged to Alfred Lunt and 7 to 9 Jun - The City Lit, John Lyon Per- [email protected] Lynn Fontanne, opened to the public in May 2003 Tel: +44 (0) 1603 486 188 formance Hall, Jill Freud & Co - 28 Aug to 1 Sep - Alde- after years of painstaking restoration. When the Lunts lived there, many celebrated people in the arts were Cowardy Custard Tour burgh Summer Theatre 6 to 15 Sep - South- Editor: John Knowles Tue 5th June 2.30pm wold Summer Theatre Ass. Editor:Ken Starrett Twelcome guests. Noël Coward, a life-long friend of The Norwich City College, Norwich September and October Publication and Distribution: Lunts, was a frequent visitor and had his own room there. 01603 773582 Private Lives Stephen Greenman (UK) This year on April 27th, the Ten Chimneys Foundation Wed 6th June 7.30pm 19 to 29 Sep 2007 - The Maddermarket Ken Starrett (US) opened a special exhibition devoted to the friendships, life Kings Theatre Southsea Theatre, Norwich Music Correspondent: and career of Sir Noël Coward. This exhibition was created in 023 9282 8282 18 to 20 Oct - Barcombe Players, Bar- Dominic Vlasto collaboration with The Noël Coward Estate, The Noël Cow- Thu 7th June TBC combe, East ard Foundation and The Noël Coward Society, Contributions are invited from The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury November At the opening reception, President of Ten Chimneys, members of the Society. Sean Malone, welcomed Barry Day, author of many books on 01295 279002 Fallen Angels The editor reserves the right Sat 9th June 8.00pm 22 Nov to 1 Dec - Sewell Barn Theatre to edit all copy, images and Coward, by presenting him with a cake and candle, as this West End Centre, Aldershot , Sewwell Barn Theatre, Norwich decide on inclusion of items. was, coincidentally, his birthday. Everyone joined in singing 01252 330040 Details included in Happy Birthday. Favorite anecdotes about Coward were re- Sat. 23 June In North America... ‘What’s On?’ are as received, lated to by Mr. Day. The next guest presented Kings Lynn Arts Centre` May and June 2007 with our thanks, from: was Alan Brodie, agent for The Noël Coward Estate, who Present Laughter Present Laughter Samuel French UK and gave thanks to the staff of Ten Chimneys for their exhibition 14 to 16 Jun - Creakes Drama Group, Village May 18 - June 17, 2007 Canada (Play Publishers and honoring Noël Coward. Mr. Brodie spoke of the sharp Cow- Author’s Representatives), Hall, North Creake, Fakenham, Norf. Victor Garber stars with the Huntington ard quips that he enjoyed. Ken Starrett, North American Di- Ken Starrett (US), rector of The Noël Coward Society, followed by telling the Blithe Spirit Theatre Company Boston, Massachusetts Alan Brodie Representation 22 to 23 Jun - Magpies DG, Village Hall, BO: 617/266-0800 (Professional Productions), audience how Coward made comic use of brief messages in Matfield, Kent Blithe Spirit NCS members and telegrams. Sean Malone next welcomed Geoffrey Johnson, 21 to 23 Jun - Staines Players, Chertsey Hall, 4 to 27 May, 2007 - Mount Dora Theatre theatre companies. agent and long-time friend of Noël Coward. Mr. Johnson Cherstey, Company, Florida made a presentation to Mr. Malone of a triptych photo of Artefacts on display at Ten Chimneys 27 to 30 Jun - St James Players, New 1 to 16 Jun - Theatre Aurora, Aurora, For details of rights for Noël, Alfred and Lynn for display in the exhibition. Coward Malden, Surrey Ontario professional productions: always kept this photo on his bedside table. Mr. Malone Relative Values 22 May to Jun 2 - Kanata Thtr, Kanata, ON Alan Brodie Representation stated that when the exhibition was finished, the photo would www.alanbrodie.com 6 to 21 Jun - St. Mary’s Theatre Club, Town Aug. 15 – 26 Williamstown Theatre Festi- reside permanently in Coward's bedroom in Ten Chimneys For amateur rights People attending this reception were able to view the ex- Hall, St. Mary’s Isles of Scilly val, Berkshire MASS. Samuel French Ltd. Red Peppers August 2007 www.samuelfrench.com or hibition which includes photographs, playbills, sheet music, Dewsbury Arts Group: www.samuelfrench- video clips of Coward's films, television appearances, and 9 Jun - Southport Arts Centre, Southport, 18 to 26 Aug, 2007 Light Opera Works – london.co.uk personal memorabilia, Mounted on the walls of the room are Lancashire Illinois Music Theatre Cahn Auditorium, For publishing rights: ten large photographic panels with text, each presenting a 16 Jun - Sheffield Library Theatre Evanston, IllinoisCall 845/869-6300 or Methuen view of a particular point in Coward's life - The Boy Actor - Private Lives www.LightOperaWorks.com www.methuen.co.uk The Daring Playwright - The Blithe Celebrity - The Renais- - for a full list see www.noëlcoward.net Items in red are professional companies 28 to 30 Jun - Actors of North Tawton, Town Waiting In The Wings For music rights: sance Man - The Not-So-Secret Agent - The Dear Friend - Warner Chappell Hall, North Tawton, North Devon 30 Mar to 8 Apr, 2007-Little Theatre of The Ten Chimneys Guest - The Forgotten Icon - The Rein- www.warnerchappell.co.uk Two of the ‘Ten Cowards’ New Smyrna Beach, Florida vented Star and The Master. 4 to 9 Jun - Playmakers, Herne Bay Little Officers of the Society are: Three glass showcases in the middle of the room contain Theatre, Herne Bay, Kent Highlighted Production Chairman: Barbara Longford many fascinatging personal artifacts, such as a pair of slip- Hay Fever The Tyrone Guthrie Theatre Secretary: John Knowles pers given to Coward by Merle Oberon. Sean Malone and his 14 to 16 Jun - Drama 13, Baptist Church Minneapolis, Minnesota Treasurer: Stephen Greenman staff should be justifiably proud of this wonderful exhibition Hall, King’s Heath, Birmingham PRIVATE LIVES Public Relations: which will go far in acquainting people with the life and July and August 2007 July 21 - September 02 Jan Penn and Denys Robinson works of Sir Noël Coward. It will be on display until No- Hay Fever For tickets and information North American Director: vember 10, 2007. Ken Starrett 18 to 21 Jul - Runnymede Drama Group, call: 612/377 224 On the evening of April 28th “Conversation With Geof- Representative for France: frey Johnson.” was presented in the Visitors’ Center at Ten The Riverside Barn, Walton-On-Thames This is one of the most prestigious Hélène Catsiapis 15 to 25 Aug - The Edinburgh Makars, Mur- regional theatres in America, having been Chimneys. The audience was charmed by Mr. Johnson as he WHAT’S ON? Australian Representative: rayfield Parish Church hall, Edinburgh founded by Sir Tyrone Guthrie in 1963 Robert Wickham spoke of his incredible experiences during the years he Page 12 worked for Noël Coward. Knowing Coward also meant get- Artefacts on display at Ten Chimneys What Mad Pursuit (1985, w/Carroll Baker, Neil Cunningham, Bonus features: ting to know many of the celebrities who were a part of his Paul Daneman) life. Everyone was delighted by a story he told about a cock- This DVD set is described by the producers as follows: tail party at Coward's home in Switzerland, when a particular Disc 4: Noël Coward was a master playwright whose prodigious guest had not wanted to attend. At Coward's emphatic insis- Tonight at 8:30 talent dominated the theatre of the 1920s & 30s. The Vortex tence, she appeared and Mr. Johnson got to meet the great This is a mystery, because the play was made up of several made him an immediate hit and controversial sensation. Hay Garbo. At the end of the evening he graciously answered short ones. The only broadcast using the title I could find Fever, Private Lives, and are as popular questions from the audience. This was the perfect occasion was a 1954 NBC Producers Showcase, including Red Pep- today as when they were first performed. His series of one- to end two days of paying tribute to The Master. pers, Still Life, and . However, this disc acts Tonight at 8:30 which he performed with Gertrude Ken Starrett will include Red Peppers (1991, w/, Anthony Lawrence have become a treasure trove for modern theater Photographs by Alan Brodie and Ken Starrett Newley). companies. This collection features star-studded BBC pro- ductions of Coward's full-length plays, one-acts and short sto- Disc 5: ries plus bonus features including several radio plays, Present Laughter (1964, w/ , Ursula Howells, interviews and profiles of Coward. It's a must own collection Piano at Ten Chimneys Joan Benham, Barbara Murray, James Bolam for lovers of great theatre! Star Quality (1985, w/Sussanah York, Ian Richardson, Peter Chelsom) DVD Features:

A Celebration of the Life of Disc 6: Interviews: 22 May 2007 - Me and the Girls (1985, w/, Robert Glenister, Omnibus: Noël Coward - Noël Coward is interviewed on the On a gloriously sunny day in the heart of London’s the- Nichola occasion of his 70th birthday Noël Coward on Acting (Inter- atreland one of its strongest advocates, Sheridan Morley was McAuliffe, Tessa Pritchard) view with Noël Coward from 1969) remembered by those who knew him. In a packed Gielgud Bon Voyage (1985, w/ Michael Aldridge, Gay Baynes, Ed Theatre hundreds of friends and colleagues watched a cele- Devereaux, ) Other: The Songwriters: Noël Coward - Featuring perform- bration of everything that ‘Sherry’ held dear. Mr. and Mrs. Edgehill (1985, w/, Ian Holm, ances of some of Coward's most popular songs Audio record- On a black box set sitting on golden chairs with a back- Robert Blythe, Amanda Pays ing of Noël Coward's 1941 Opening Night Speech for Blithe drop of three large photographs of Sheridan Morley, 25 of his Spirit in Manchester friends and contemporaries, celebrated his life to a delighted Disc 7: audience - as his wife Ruth Leon said, “The person who Suite in Two Keys: Radio Plays: Hay Fever, Private Lives, Post-Mortem, De- would have most enjoyed the afternoon was missing - Sheri- A Song at Twilight (1982, w/Deborah Kerr, Bruce Lidington, sign for Living, Blithe Spirit, South Sea Bubble . dan himself.” Paul Scofield, June Tobin) The celebration started with ‘Spread a Little Happiness’ Come into the Garden, Maude (1982, w/Paul Scofield, Bruce The ASIN number is: B000QXDEGI from the Vivian Ellis musical Mr. Cinders followed by the re- Lidington, Geraldine McEwan, Toby Robins) The set can be pre-ordered online at Amazon. flections of Sheridan’s close friend at Oxford, Christopher Matthew, in an item entitled ‘Sherry’. Ruth Leon welcomed everyone to the celebration before Miriam Margoyles read ‘School Report, Spring Term 1953’ from Asking for Trouble: Coward in a world of Electronic publishing... The Memoirs of Sheridan Morley . Lucy Fleming, the daugh- Coward’s desire to be ‘contemporary’ is well recorded. In ard.org (for the Coward Foundation) and ter of Celia Johnson recalled her friendship with Sherdian as the famous interview with Patrick Garland on BBC TV he re- www.noelcoward.net for the Society. These three sites pro- a child in ‘Childhood in Henley’ followed by Simon Williams sponded: vide a family of websites for Coward. who read ‘Hometown’ written by Sheridan and taken from “Quite a lot of people said what a pity that I wasn’t more John Knowles has recently been appointed as a Consult- . An old friend to the Society Liz Robert- significant - that never worried me because I didn’t particu- ant for Electronic Publishing to the Coward Estate. His work son accompanied by Jonathan Cohen sang ‘If Love Were All’ larly wish to be significant - I like to be contemporary and as will include the development of the Es- from Bitter Sweet. bright as a button - but I don’t think I was all that keen on tate and Foundation websites and the Ruth introduced the man who introduced her to Sheridan, being significant”. creation of an online digital resource for Brian Winston, who talked of their time all together in Ox- The questions being asked here were about how he would Coward that can be used by professional ford. In customary style Steve Ross, who had flown from be remembered and the significance of his work. He replied agencies and theatre companies as well New York to be there, sang ‘Old Friends’ from Stephen Sond- with what became his signature response - forthrightness as amateur groups to support their pro- hein’s Merrily We Roll Along. about the undoubted level of his talent and a self-effacing at- ductions, events and publications. Other Edward Fox read a hugely funny piece from Punch that other country. titude towards the value of his work - best defined in his projects are in the pipeline designed to should have been read by Miles Kingston who was, sadly, un- phrase from the song ‘If Love Were All’... ‘The most I’ve had support the work of the Estate and the able to attend. A common theme in the afternoon was the unique nature of Sheridan as a theatre critic - one of only two it was re- is just a talent to amuse’. Foundation especially with young people John Watts had everyone laughing when he read ‘Royal Vari- He might well have railed against the excesses of the cur- and educational bodies in the fields of ety Performance’ written by Sheridan Morley and from his called that anyone could remember with affection. The actor read a piece on the subject ‘Critic’ rent electronic age with its ‘frenzied’ email exchanges where drama and theatre. John’s previous jobs include, headteacher Debriefing column in Punch. Ruth followed with a piece by nine out of ten communications appear to offer assistance to and a local authority advisor and manager of the Primary , who was unable to be there, on Sheridan’s by Sheridan from The Spectator. Another musical piece fol- lowed by Sheridan’s partner in their two-man show, Michael males who are insecure about their genitalia! But we are wan- School Management Team in Norfolk responsible for training time on the ground-breaking BBC television arts programme dering... ‘contemporary’... yet one cannot help but feel that headteachers, their deputies, school administrative staff and Late Night Line-up. Law. The shows were produced by Ruth Leon and took on various forms according to and time of the perform- Noël would have used all of it as ideas for a play or novel. A school governors in some 350 schools. For the past 12 years John Lahr talked about a letter he had received from sort of for the Internet age. He would have John has worked almost exclusively in electronic publishing Sheridan a few months before he died asking his advice on ance but usually included lots of Coward as well as notable pieces from the ‘great American songbook’ all later saved for taken what the Internet has to offer to assist and promote his and website management and for the last 7 years has been a whether he should emigrate to New York. In explaining his work and without any doubt he would have had fun with it! volunteer working for the Coward Society. John will be response John talked about the varous parallels in their lives - posterity on CD. Michael sang the Coward song ‘Sail Away’. , with glass in hand, raised the passionate The electronic resources that have been developed by the standing down as Secretary to the NCS committee in Decem- as the sons of famous people - and then like Sheridan he Coward Estate, Coward Foundation and the Coward Society ber 2007 but will continue to edit Home Chat and the NCS wanted to leave his native shores and establish himself in an- ‘Toast from Cavalcade’ before Rosemary Ashe accompanied by Jonathan Cohen sang the Coward classic ‘I’ll See You are: www.noelcoward.co.uk (for the Estate), www.noelcow- website. Page 2 Page 11 Again’ from Bitter Sweet. Sheridan’s own voice was heard again reading one of his In a location and from the one of the best loved and re- favourite Coward poems about Noël’s own reflections on - your letters, thoughts and news... spected of the theatre impressarios of our age we heard about death, ‘When I Have Fears’. Ruth Leon thanked everyone ‘Theatre Man’ from before the heart- who had taken part in the celebration. The final song, an an- Conversationeorgina Infield writes...I read with interest Piece Mr shan’t dress”, a rule I made in 1929 and to which I still stopping voice of John Owen Jones accompanied by Douglas themn to stickability and enduring presence came in ‘I’m Still Halford’s article about Firefly in the last edition strictly adhere. White sang the song from Boublil and Schönberg’s Les Mis- Here’ ’s song from Follies sung by of Home Chat. However I must correct that state- Apart from this lifelong appreciation of good cooking and erables, ‘Bring Him Home’. One of our most notable radio Annabel Leventon accompanied by Jonathan Cohen. ment by Saran that Noël Coward had no interest my newly awakened Do-It-Yourself interest in it, the fact that broadcasters, David Jacobs, gave us ‘Broadcaster’ followed The overriding impression people gave of Sheridan was in cooking. Here is his Forward to a cookery Adrianne Allen is an old and dear friend of mine is, I am by Corin Redgrave in a moving reading of Shakespeare’s his larger than life personality, his generosity, his warmth and Gbook written (well co-written) by his old friend Adrienne afraid, my only justification for writing this foreword. (It Sonnet 116. Patricia Hodge accompanied by Jonathan Cohen his kindnesses to everyone he met and knew. As Ruth re- Allen titled ‘Delightful Food’ published by Sedgewick and would not be true to say that I have never met Mrs. Salter be- sang ‘Come The Wild, Wild Weather’ from Waiting in the marked amongst all of the thousand or so letters and an equal Jackson in 1957. Also in his description of the lunch he gave cause she assures me that, under the name of Heather Wings before the penultimate ‘Final Thoughts’ from Asking number of phone calls she found, in their kitchen, a bunch of for the Queen Mother - he made ‘Iced Pea Soup spiked with Hethrington, she and Miss Allen “appeared in ‘Easy Virtue’ For Trouble: The Memoirs of Sheridan Morley read by flowers and an expression of affection for her husband - from mint’. by Noël Coward, playing those jolly girls, swinging our who, for many of us, summed up the reason their window cleaner. Members may remember that we gave a copy of Adrienne Dorothy bags and squealing at the gentlemen.” These per- why the theatrical world looked upon Sheridan as a different Ruth wanted to thank all of the following for their help in Allen’s book to her daughter Ann Massey when she joined formances are shrouded for me by the mists of time which is kind of theatre critic - he was more a chronicler of the theatre, putting together this ‘Celebration of the Life of Sheridan members for our Coward birthday celebrations last December perhaps just as well, but I will take her word for it.) What I someone who loved it, proud of its traditions and its past, Morley’: Barry Burnett, Linda Christmas, Billy Differ, Sally Here is that Forward: wish to make clear is that I have never seen Miss Allen and proud of his family connection through his late father Robert Hardy, Annabel Leventon, Christopher Matthew, Anthony Among the trends of the present day - the trend towards Mrs. Salter ‘at it’, never heard the whirr of their egg-beaters, and his grandmother Gladys Cooper and always passionate Pye-Jeary, Alan Strachan, Rebecca Walton and ‘most espe- Rock 'n' Roll, the trend towards selfimmolation (known as the never seen them tenderly placing the creme brûlée in the and generous to those whose work was to act and produce in cially Cameron Mackintosh’. Death-Wish among friends), the tendency to drop the H-bomb bain-marie and thence, with trembling hands, into the oven. it. John Knowles on the neighbours etc., far and away the nicest is the trend to- Nor have I tested the hundred and fifty recipes and therefore I wards the kitchen. Nowadays everyone, or very nearly every- cannot yet vouch for them. What I can vouch for, however, is one, cooks or has a specialité which they can whip up in a that they are bound to be good. All the meals, over all the FUTURE UK EVENTS: DATES FOR YOUR DIARY trice, everyone admits the Importance of chives, everyone as- years, that I have ever eaten in whatever exquisite house The latest Events news from our Chairman Barbara Longford sumes a knowing look after the first bite or sup - “A pinch of Adrienne happens to be inhabiting at the moment, have been cinnamon would have made all the difference,” they say- superlative. The advent of this book therefore, like an invita- everyone has at least one recipe handed down from Great tion to luncheon or dinner with Adrianne, is a signal for gen- The Noël Trail and Samuel French, London Aunt Laura or given to him by the chef of the remotest eral rejoicing. I shall be among the first to prop it up on the Saturday 23rd June, 2007 auberge in the Haute Pyrenees; in fact, never has cooking kitchen table and “take six eggs and a pint of cream ...” ur next event on 23rd June, 2007 is now fully Fitzroy Street, London W.1. where our host will be Geoffrey been such fun. I have never had such fun myself. I have ab- Noël Coward booked by the following members:- Ian Chan- Skinner. Members will set off for the walking tour at sorbing and heated arguments with bejewelled ladies at Am- With thanks to Georgina Infield and Barbara Longford for dler, Robert Gardiner, Stuart Griffiths, Elizabeth 11.a.m. in two groups, led by our guides Graham Sawyer bassadorial receptions as to the best, the only, way to make a both supplying this extract. Sutter, Leslie Radford, Jean Radford, Edgar As- and Ken Sephton. Yorkshire pudding; exchange deeply cherished recipes with taire, Myrna Schroder, Geoffrey King, Jan King, Andrew For those who have requested lunch, the upstairs room at people under oaths of secrecy much as lovers used to ex- Weeks, June Weeks, Richard Wyborn, Judy Shakespear, Reg- The Stockpot Restaurant, 38 Panton Street, SW1 has been re- change their most sacred vows, and I unmercifully browbeat Coming WHV/BBC boxed DVD set O gie Musgrave, Geoffrey Bowden, David Bovey, Katie Bovey, served for 30 people to sit down to lunch at 2.p.m. (the room my host or hostess into giving away that ultimate ingredient THE NOËL COWARD COLLECTION Michael Greene, Gillian Greene, Stephen Bentley, Dou- can accommodate 5 more, if other members would like to that makes All the Difference. Which is a far cry from the glas Gordon, Zoe Maxine, Rexton Bunnett, Derek Limer, join us for lunch). Please contact Barbara Longford (Tel: 020 days when the Shepherd’s Pie and the Shape were handed Due out on September 11 - John Weston, Stephen Greenman and Barbara Longford. 7603 7399). The Society plans to arrange other walking/get- round and consumed in silence. with thanks to Raymond We shall meet up at 9.30 a.m. at Samuel French, 52 ting to know you tours in the future. Of course this trend isn’t new, nothing is under the sun, Stanley for letting us know and over three hundred years ago Robert Burton said, and to Bill Rosenfield for Visit to the for a performance of ‘Present Laughter’ “Cookery is become an art, a noble science; cooks are gen- all of the following details tlemen," but I am sorry to say that it wasn’t until lately that I of this 7 dvd set - it looks and to the launch of our Vice President, Barry Day’s new book ‘The Letters of Noël Coward’ heard the call to come into the kitchen. The year 1956, which like an exciting treat! Week commencing Monday 12th November,2007 is shuddering to its close as I write, has been an eventful one for me and not the least eventful part has been devoted to my Disc 1: Later this year, The culinary adventures. There was the wonderful day when my The Vortex (1969, w/ Royal National Theatre is first soufflé rose to such heights that it nearly hit the top of Margaret Leighton, producing Present Laughter, the oven (the oven fortunately had a glass door so that I was Alan Melville, Patrick Barr, with Alex Jennings as Garry able to watch this phenomenon open-mouthed), the thirty-six Jennifer Daniel Essendine, and the Society hours I spent first trying to make puff-pastry, during which I Hay Fever (1968, w/Celia is arranging a special event had to cancel all engagements and lost a night's sleep into Johnson, Jane Merrow, , Ian McKellen, Anna to co-incide with this and the bargain, the evening the Oven Blew Up, the afternoon the Massey the publication, on 12th No- lid flew off the Waring Mixer and sprayed unreachable parts vember, of ‘The Letters of of the ceiling with chocolate mousse, and the day I said Disc 2: Noël Coward’ by Barry Day. The exact evening during the week is not yet confirmed, but we anticipate that it will begin with “Leave the canapes to me” and later found that several of the Private Lives (1976, w/ Alec McCowen, , a 6.p.m. Platform Performance at the RNT, launching the book, to which all attending members will be special guests. A per- guests had taken one nibble and then dropped them, not I Polly James, Donald Pickering formance of Present Laughter will follow, for which we plan to block book tickets at a special members’ price. must admit without reason, behind the sofa. I am learning the More information and a booking form will follow in the August edition of Home Chat. For members travelling from out- hard way but I am proud to say that at the end of my first year Disc 3: side London, the Society will investigate some special hotel deals. I have more than once turned out a creditable three-course Design for Living (1979, w/Rula Lenska, Clive Arrindell, Some quotes about ‘The Letters of Noël Coward’ by Barry Day: dinner for six. Up until this year I had always appreciated John Steiner, John Bluthal “A uniquely charming and enticing journey through a remarkable life. Coward's own record is made all the more delightful good cooking but never tried to cook and the only pronounce- Mrs. Capper's Birthday (1985, w/Avis Bunnage, Patricia by the wise and helpful interpolations of Barry Day, the soundest authority on the Master that there is.” ment I had hitherto made on the subject was “If it's rissoles I Hayes, Hugh Laurie, STEPHEN FRY, Vice President, NCS

Page 10 Page 3 “Precise, witty, remarkably observed, and gloriously English.” JUDI DENCH “Thirty years after his death, it seems increasingly obvious that Noël Coward was the most important English playwright of Barbara Longford looks at what one of Noël’s closest the mid-twentieth century. This meticulously edited collection of his letters will excite and amuse anyone interested in him, the Beatrice Lillie friends thought of him and of Ivor Novello... theatre and his staggeringly wide circle of correspondents.” NICHOLAS HYTNER ,Artistic Director at the National Theatre eatrice Lille was godmother to Gertrude Thank you very much’. Out went Noël, nudged by a very “Barry Day has done an excellent job of editing Coward's letters, which provide more insight into this extraordinary man - a Lawrence's daughter Pamela and speaking of Ger- subtle cold shoulder. Charlot just stopped short of slamming real treat!’” tie in her book, Every Inch A Lady, Beatrice be- the door behind him. gins: ‘How dare you,’ said Dada, turning on me, ‘bring people From the publishers: “She had more courage than anyone I've known, except here with no talent whatsoever?’ ” With virtually all the letters in this volume previously unpublished - this is a revealing new Bpossibly Noël Coward. She was curiously like him in many Later in the book Beatrice comments: insight into the private life of a legendary figure. Coward's multi-faceted talent as an actor, writer, ways. Gertie used to tell how Noël had a phonograph which “Some of the best parties were given by Ivor Novello, composer, producer and even as a war-time spy(!), brought him into close contact with the great, she secretly coveted, while she owned a bicycle that he en- whose plays and music rival anything Noël has written, in my the good and the merely ambitious in film, literature and politics. With letters to and from the vied, though it was, in his opinion, ‘quite unsuitable for a opinion; in fact, it’s possible that his music, which is gener- likes of: George Bernard Shaw, , , Greta Garbo (she wrote girl’. Ultimately it was Noël who really brought to light Ger- ally more serious than Noël’s, will live longer, particularly asking him to marry her), Marlene Dietriech, Ian Fleming, Graham Greene, Evelyn Waugh, tie's talents and provided her with the greatest chances. But among British audiences, than the more brilliant, witty works Fred Astaire, Charlie Chaplin, FD Roosevelt, the Queen Mother and many more, the picture he struck out when I introduced him to Charlot. of Noël Coward”. that emerges is a series of vivid sketches of Noël Coward's private relationships, and a re-exami- Noël was then a rather condescending young man, paper And towards the end of the book is this: nation of the man himself. Deliciously insightful, witty, perfectly bitchy, wise, loving and often thin, with a faint lisp. He was already writing songs, and “As for Noël, I do love him, and I choose to believe he surprisingly moving, this extraordinary collection gives us Coward at his crackling best. A sub- songs with a difference. Instead of the usual moonlight and loves me. We kissed and made up without any trouble, when lime portrait of a unique artist who made an indelible mark on the 20th century, from the Blitz to roses, there was a dash of vinegar. Come to think of it, he he wrote this billet-doux about ‘An evening With’, in which the Ritz and beyond. was quite remarkably as he is today – very clever but uncom- he detected ‘one of the greatest stars of light entertainment fortable to be with at times. I had met him somehow as an- that the world has ever known’: other one of us: young people trying to make their mark in Birds of love Divine lie bleeding at her feet, fairies dance the theatre. Thanks to Charlot, I’d made my first dent al- with the heaviness of dragons at the bottom of her garden, The Annual General Meeting, Flower-laying at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane ready. moaning ladies shorn of their lovers descend into the utmost and Annual Luncheon ‘Beattie,’ Noël asked, quite understandably, ‘do you think depths of bathos, all because Miss Lillie decided to turn on Saturday 15th December, 2007 you could get me an introduction to Charlot? He didn’t want them the piercing lethal beam of her dreadful irreverence and to try it on his own, a feeling I knew only too well. Uncle her implacable humour. Due to the unfortunate loss of The Theatre Museum, which we regarded as our Andre was rehearsing for a new revue, and he’d hired a big Amidst this holocaust of destruction, it is apparent to the ‘London Home’, the Society needed a new venue for the AGM this year. Sir room in Bond Street for the purpose. I’d had to call to re- least perceptive eye that she has subtlety, delicacy, wit and Cameron Mackintosh is generously allowing us to hold the event at either the The hearse one day, and I knew Charlot would be there, with the whether you like it or not, absolute truth. She is as incapable Noël Coward Theatre or the Ivor , depending on their production whole cast. I had a few qualms about asking him outright of a falst note, in her performance as her clear fresh voice is plans. The AGM will begin at 10.30 a.m. whether he would like to hear Noël, so I told my ambitious incapable of singing out of tune. It may be gathered from all Alex Jennings, who will be starring in ‘Present Laughter’, has agreed, in prin- young friend, ‘Just come up. I’m not going to try to arrange this hyperbole that I am an admirer of Beatrice Lillie, which ciple, to perform the flower-laying ceremony for us this year, at 12 noon at the anything special. You come up and be ready to audition.’ is very true. I am also one of her oldest friends, which Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. We were in the middle of a production number involving doesn’t prejudice me in the least. If I loathed her with every Lunch will be held at The Ivy, attended by Alex Jennings and his wife, and will chorus and singers when Noël walked in, pale and a little bit quivering fibre of my being (which at certain dress rehearsals be followed by a special Coward performance by Guest of Honour, Steve twitchy. The piano stopped for a short break. Charlot gave I have), I should have to admit that an evening with Beatrice Ross (picture right). me a filthy look when I introduced this very nervous young Lillie is one of the most enchanting things that could ever man and said, ‘I just want him to play you this song he’s writ- happen to anybody. an extract from a study guide produced by the Pearl Theatre ten. It’s called ‘Forbidden Fruit.’ You’ll love it.’ The expres- Quite for a reason, thank you for those kind words, Noëly, Noël Coward and death? Company in 2000 on Coward’s comedy: Blithe Spirit sion on Uncle Andre’s quizzical face said, ‘Want to bet?’ and for all the others, too. Lovingly yours, Lille Bea-dle-dy.” Sir Noël was quite fascinated with death. One of his hob- “a passionate faith that loved ones who, in reality, had been Noël sat himself at the piano and played, Every peach, out bies was watching surgeries. “I’ve witnessed death many blown to pieces in the trenches had passed on to a bourne of reach, is attractive…. These extracts are taken from “Every Other Inch a Lady” times,” he asserted. “I once had a man die in my arms.” In from which they could not return but which was a place of Though listening politely, Charlot could scarcely wait for by Beatrice Lillie. Copyright Beatrice Lillie & James Private Lives, a Noël Coward play from 1930, Coward has happiness and content.” him to finish. He grabbed his hand, shook it vigorously and Brough, 1972. First British edition 1973. Elyot say to Amanda, “Death is very Coward’s genius in Blithe Spirit walked him to the door, murmuring, ‘Very kind of you. ISBN 0 491 00683 7 laughable really, such a cunning little I’m here for a short visit only was to tweak the notion of ghosts as And I’d rather be loved than hated mystery. All done with mirrors.” For sentimental, reassuring figures, by When I have fears, as Keats had fears, Eternity may be lonely Coward, death was a lark, something to creating the vindictive, mischievous Of the moment I’ll cease to be When my body’s disintegrated be overcome with charm and wit. Elvira, who is bent on obtaining her I console myself with vanished years And that which is loosely termed by soul Ghosts pop up in other Noël Cow- own satisfaction after death, at the ex- Remember laughter, remembered tears, Goes whizzing off through the infinite ard plays as well as Blithe Spirit. In pense of her living loved one. And the peace of the changing sea. Cavalcade and Post Mortem they serve By means of some vague, remote control Blithe Spirit premiered during the I’d like to think I was missed a bit. the function of ensuring reverence for darkest days of the War. On the open- When I feel sad, as Keats felt sad, the dead. In (1936), ing night of the play (July 2, 1941) a That my life is so nearly done Extract from: Not Yet the Dodo and Other ghosts of the quarrelling Gayforths ap- bomb was dropped very near to the It gives me comfort to dwell upon Verses, 1967 by Noël Coward pear in a dream to recall their romantic theatre. Elegantly attired patrons Remembered friends who are dead and gone past and rekindle their threatened love. picked their way through the rubble And the jokes we had and the fun. Certainly death was on every Londoner’s mind in 1941, on their way to see what would be the most popular comedy as the blitz raged about them, for ghosts found their way into of the war. A programme note said: “If an air raid warning be How happy they are I cannot know other plays of the period, as well. Critic Gareth Lloyd Evans received during the performance the audience will be in- But happy am I who loved them so. sees in this rebirth of interest in matters spiritual a hunger for formed from the stage... those desiring to leave the theatre Noël Coward reassurance that the sacrifices of the war had not been in vain, may do so but the performances will continue. Page 4 Page 9 CHATTING WITH NOËL COWARD by Ken Starrett Garber and Ashmanskas Share Present Laughter by Ernio Hernandez he archives of The Museum of Television & Radio with David Frost was shown. The audience was highly enter- tage and screen actor Victor Garber heads the cast of the Huntington in New York City provide an absolute treasure tained by Coward's banter with another guest on the show, Theatre Company’s staging of Noël Coward's Present Laughter, trove of appearances by Noël Coward. For several Dr. David Reuben, author of Everything You Always Wanted which begins previews in Boston May 18. Current Tony Award nom- years NCS members have enjoyed the chance to To Know About Sex . Members were next treated to a view- inee Brooks Ashmanskas is also featured in the company. Hunting- ing of the wonderful 1972 documentary by Mr. Charles Cas- ton artistic director Nicholas Martin (NCS member) directs the Coward tle, This Is Noël Coward. This was a chance to hear an comedy that closes out the Massachusetts company's 25th anniversary season.

T PHOTO: Aubrey Reuben interview with Coward himself along with many of the cele- S With an opening night slated for May 23, the limited engagement will play brated people from his world such as, David Niven, Joan through June 17. Sutherland, and Dame Edith Evans. John Garber portrays the “self-absorbed aging matinee idol Garry Essendine Gielgud narrated the film. whose agents, managers, house staff, and paramours create a dysfunctional sur- Among Society members and their guests in the audience, rogate family,” according to show materials. Ken welcomed Mr. Geoffrey Johnson, agent and long-time Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me's Tony Award-nominated star Brooks friend of Noël Coward, Mr. John Fricke, biographer and au- Ashmanskas appears as Roland Maule with Lisa Banes (Arcadia), Nancy Car- thority on Judy Garland, and new member Ms. Iva Withers, roll (Huntington's The Rose Tattoo), Alice Duffy (Huntington's Les Liaisons who had been the standby for Tammy Grimes in both The Dangereuses), Holley Fain (Frank's Home), Pamela Gray (Huntington's But- Unsinkable Molly Brown and High Spirits. A very special ley), Sarah Hudnut (Huntington's ), James Joseph O'Neil guest who joined us on this evening was Broadway and film (Huntington's A Month in the Country), Richard Snee (Huntington's The Sis- star, Ms. Celeste Holm who just a few days before celebrated ter's Rosensweig) and Marc Vietor (Mr. Marmalade). an extraordinary occasion. Ken asked the audience to join The design team includes Alexander Dodge (scenic), Mariann Verheyen him in wishing Ms. Holm a very happy birthday - it was her (costume), Rui Rita (lighting) and Drew Levy (sound). 90th. Known for his television turns on Alias and Justice, Garber has played on Once again, the screenings at The Museum of Television Broadway in Deathtrap, Sweeney Todd, Arcadia, Art, , Damn Yan- & Radio gave members a chance to get to know each other Ken Starrett, Frank Basile and Ms. Celeste Holm kees, Little Me, You Never Can Tell, Lend Me A Tenor, Two Shakespearean Ac- and see more of the life and works of The Master. NCS tors and Off-Broadway in Assassins, Love Letters, Wenceslas Square and member Richard Holbrook, librarian at the Museum, reports Ghosts. Other credits include the films Titanic, Sleepless in Seattle, Legally view these items in the Museum's library or at the exclusive that as of June 5, 2007 the Museum of Television & Radio Blonde and the TV versions of Annie and The Music Man. Garber was recently screenings for the Society in the Mark Goodson Theatre, will become known as the Paley Center for Media. It is being seen in the City Center Encores! production of Follies, and his new series Eli hosted by Ken Starrett. One of the items in the screening last named for the founder of the national radio and television Stone was just picked up by ABC. December was an hour-long program of Noël Coward chat- network CBS and the founder of the Museum, Mr. William S. The Coward work replaced David Rabe's Streamers, which was resched- ting with David Frost. On May 3, 2007 another interview Paley. uled due to director Scott Ellis’ duties on musical Curtains. The NCS Vice President - MOIRA LISTER - LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Rabe drama will now land at the Huntington for a Nov 9 - Dec. 9 run as part of the upcoming season. at NALEDI THEATRE AWARDS Tickets to Present Laughter at the Huntington's B. U. Theatre, 264 Hunting- outh Africa's Premier Theatre Awards System - The ton Ave. in Boston, MA, are available by phone at (617) 266-0800 or online at NALEDI Theatre Awards has been in existence for three www.huntingtontheatre.org. Copyright © 2002 Playbill, Inc. All Rights Reserved. years and is firmly recognized as the Premier Awards event on the South African Theatre Calendar. Its Mission Victor Garber and Brooks Ashmanskas is to recognize and reward individuals, groups and com- - nominated for TONY star in Present Laughter. Spanies within the Performing Arts in Gauteng, and thereby raise the CS member Dana Ivey has been profile of Live Theatre and create awareness of the abundant talent nominated for a TONY Award Coward facts alive and well on South African stages. in the category ‘Performance by Amongst the documents that we have col- The NALEDI THEATRE AWARDS covers all Main-Stream pro- a Featured Actress in a Play’ lected over the years is a catalogue of all fessional productions staged in Gauteng from the period 1 January – The contenders are: the archive material that was previously 31 December each year. In 2005 the judges evaluated over 80 pro- NJennifer Ehle, The Coast of Utopia held by the Coward Estate in 1997. No ductions in 25 categories. Moira Lister was awarded a Lifetime Xanthe Elbrick, Coram Boy bus timetable this! - but full of interesting Achievement Award. Moira was born in 1923 in South Africa where Dana Ivey, Butley lists of what has been held and what has her acting career began. There, in 1935, she appeared in Vintage Jan Maxwell Coram Boy never been found. For example. There is Wine with Sir who was so impressed by her that he Martha Plimpton, The Coast of Utopia no known original written or typescript invited her to England to make a film with him. They arrived on the 's Butley is a dark comedy copy of the following Coward texts: day that Edward VII abdicated. The film was cancelled. She did, about a literature professor whose world is Moira Lister at the awards The Rat Trap; I’ll Leave It To You; The however, appear, at the age of 14, in Post Road (1936) at London’s crumbling around him. Faced with surpris- Young Idea; Mild Oats; Point Valaine; Queen’s Theatre before returning to South Africa to continue her ed- Yellow Rolls Royce (1964) with , and The ing news from both his wife and his pro- Ways and Means (Tonight at 8:30); This ucation. Double Man (1967) with Yul Brynner. In the West End, tégé, Butley () fights for his Happy Breed and Peace In Our Time, In 1944, she sailed again to England to begin her film career and she starred in many plays, including The Love of Four life with his best weapon: his acid wit. Unless of course you know different...! was given roles in several productions. The following year, she was Colonels, The Gazebo and Getting Married. She fre- Butley debuted in London in 1971 There is also a handwritten text listed for invited to participate in the Stratford-on-Avon Shakespeare season, quently appeared on TV and radio (including the first under the direction of , with an unpublished play Nature’s Nobleman playing Juliet in , Desdemona in Othello and Olivia series of Hancock’s Half Hour). She retired from the in the title role. Bates won a c1918 a one-act play. There is also a list- in . She then toured Europe with the company playing stage in 1967 and, since then, has made appearances in Tony Award for reprising his performance on Broadway in 1972. He also ing of all of the contents of the famous in and King Lear. film and TV programmes and in her successful one- starred in Pinter's 1974 film adaptation. This production, starring Nathan Lane “Mum’s Suitcase” the treasure trove ex- For the next 20 years, she was a successful and popular stage, woman show. She starred with Coward in Blithe Spirit (NCS member), directed by Nicholas Martin, originated at the Huntington The- plored by most of his biographers - but film and TV actress. She appeared in over 40 films including The and in the part of Joanna in Present Laughter. atre in Boston in 2003. more of this anon... Page 8 Page 5 Noël Coward in Ten: Ten Chimneys Presents Ten Views of the Master

Sir Noël, affectionately known as “The Master,” is considered the best all-rounder of the theatrical, literary, and musical worlds of the 20th century. Ten dramatic panels that detail his iconic life and career are complemented by music, video clips, and a handful of delightful per- sonal artifcats.

This exhibition is being created in collaboration with The Noël Coward Estate, The Noël Coward Foundation, The International Noël Coward Society, and a number of Coward experts and enthusiasts. As always, exhibition admission is free. The exhibition will run from May 1st, 2007 through November 10th. PHOTOS: Alan Brodie Some of the artefacts on display

Ten Chimneys President Sean Malone introduces Geoffrey Johnson Ten Chimneys President Sean Malone and Geoffrey Johnson Ken Starrett speaks at the opening of the exhibition

Sean Malone and Barry Day marking Barry’s birthday at the event! Alan Brodie, Geoffrey Johnson and Barry Day Barry Day among some of the exhibits

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