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Home , Celia Johnson, Donald Sinden, Isabel Jeans, London Assurance, Penelope Keith, Stanley Holloway

details of some recent and future productions and events Home Chat is the newsletter WHAT’S ON? see www.noëlcoward.net and www.noëlcoward.com for more... of The Noël Coward Society FREE TO wholly owned by MEMBERS OF Noël Coward Ltd. which is THE SOCIETY Noël Coward part of the charitable trust: An Audio Biography The hit Kneehigh company revival is still at The Noël Coward Foundation. CHAT The Cinema, Haymarket. Its run has been OCTOBER 2008 - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE NOËL COWARD SOCIETY Price £2 ($4) extended to Nov 16. There then follows a Officers of the Society are: President: HRH The Duke of , KG, GCMG, GCVO, ADC UK tour. Chairman: Barbara Longford Vice Presidents: Tammy Grimes • CBE • Barry Day OBE • Stephen Fry Secretary: Denys Robinson Treasurer: Stephen Greenman North American Director: The Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch is in the Ken Starrett FILM, MUSIC middle of a successful revival of this Representative for Australia: Coward classic - Robert Wickham NOËL COWARD AND DRAMA booking until 18 Representative for France: October. Captioned Hélène Catsiapis performance - Blithe Spirit is planned Saturday 11 October Unless otherwise stated all images and text are copyright for Broadway next at 2.30pm to NC Aventales AG spring in a revival Sign Language All correspondence to: directed by Interpreted The Editor, Michael Blakemore Just released on BBC Audio CD - performance - 29 Waldemar Avenue, (Noises Off, Kiss Me presents the life and times of Sir Noël Coward. Sir Wednesday 15 Hellesdon, , Kate, Is He Dead?), NR6 6TB, UK , Lord Mountbatten, , October at 8pm - Interpreted by Martin aimed for a March , and are Roberts johnknowles@noëlcoward.net Tel: +44 (0) 1603 486 188 opening at a Shubert just some of the voices heard paying tribute to the Audio Described - Wednesday 15 October theater yet to be at 8pm - Described by Jon Polden elegant star in this audio biography, written and Editors: determined. narrated by Noël Coward's Literary Executor, the John Knowles and Ken Starrett No cast has been late broadcaster and critic Sheridan Morley. Extracts Simon Green sings Design and Production: finalised. Producers from interviews with Coward and his friends, Coward at Christmas John Knowles Jeffrey Richards, Jerry several of his songs and moments from his plays Publication and Distribution: Frankel and Steve A Cabaret for Noël come together to form an insightful, amusing and Stephen Greenman (UK) Traxler. Ken Starrett (US) fascinating picture of one of the twentieth century's Blithe Spirit was first theatre greats. Simon is at the 59 E59 Music Correspondent: Theatre in New York - Dominic Vlasto presented in the US at December 14th through the Morosco Theater in STAR QUALITY - The World of January 4th. This program Contributions are invited from 1941. More details on: blends great Coward members of the Society. www.playbill.com Noël Coward The editor reserves the right classics and some re- his November sees the arrival of the latest film adaptation of a Coward . Easy Virtue last A major retrospective exhibition in to edit all copy, images and San Francisco's Museum of Performance & Design. discovered comedy gems. decide on inclusion of items. saw the silver screen in ’s 1928 silent drama with Isabel Jeans in the starring Tonight at 8:30 April 17 to August 29, 2009 For ticket information call Details included in role. The play was first seen at the Broad Theatre, Newark in November 1925 with Jane Cowl in All ten plays that made http://www.sfpalm.org/home.html 212/279-4200 ‘What’s On?’ are as received, the role of Larita - played in this film adaptation by . The press release says: the original To order online: www.ticketcentral.com with our thanks, from: T“The Twenties have roared….the Thirties have yet to swing, when after a whirlwind romance compendium that is Samuel French UK and young Englishman John Whittaker () marries the sexy, glamorous racing driver, Larita Tonight at 8:30 are to be (Play Publishers and (Jessica Biel). Convinced his family will be as enchanted as him by his new bride John returns to his seen at the Shaw Author’s Representatives), family home with Larita. It is clear from the start, however, that John’s mother Mrs. Whittaker (Kristin Festival next season Ken Starrett (US), Scott Thomas) is offended by everything about her new daughter-in-law: she is a beautiful, older, including the rarely Alan Brodie Representation independent divorcee and American! Larita tries her best to fit in but fails to tiptoe through the (Professional Productions), produced Star NCS members and minefield laid by her mother-in-law. Quickly realizing Mrs. Whittaker’s game she sees that she must Chamber. theatre companies. fight back if she’s not going to lose John. A battle of wits ensues and sparks soon fly...” It will mark the first The reviews, following the film’s launch at the in were, in the case of Variety, time that all of the plays For details of rights for guardedly complimentary - an American journalist waving a British flag! have been produced in professional productions: “A fine cast makes sure Noël Coward’s champagne remains bubbly in “Easy Virtue,” an repertory by a www.alanbrodie.com effervescent entertainment that marks a welcome return for “Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the professional company For amateur productions Desert” director Stephan Elliott after a nine-year absence. This peppy offering may since the debut www.samuelfrench.com or have trouble asserting itself in a market that increasingly demands must-see credentials, but with of the play at the www.samuelfrench- Jessica Biel more than keeping up with such British stalwarts as and london.co.uk Phoenix Theatre in the For publishing rights: at snapping out the tasty dialogue, the picture could yet cultivate an audience among those who go for 1935-36 season, www.methuen.co.uk pictures with a smart English pedigree.” according to Shaw For music rights: Easy Virtue premieres in the UK in late October and goes into the nation’s cinemas in November. Artistic Director Jackie www.warnerchappell.co.uk The cast alone is sure to attract many who would not normally embrace a Coward adaptation - there is Maxwell. clearly much here to be enjoyed! Continued... Produce on QuarkXpress 8 For more information and full production notes see: www.noëlcoward.com/easy_virtue.html on a Mac QuadPro G5 The Noël Coward House Party at Burgh Island - PHOTO Andrew Weeks PowerPC REPORT ON THE BURGH ISLAND WEEKEND WITH PHOTOGRAPHS IN OUR SUPPLEMENT Page 12 Dana Ivey Honoured ... continued from Page 1 Drama Gold Medal awarded to The plays will be NCS member Dana Ivey has received an Honorary Doctorate from her Alma Mater, Rollins College in presented in three Winter Park, Florida. She majored in theatre at Rollins. Following the presentation, Ms. Ivey First Noël Coward Scholar groups, one at each of received a standing ovation. She said, “I am a strong believer in a liberal arts education. I believe it ach year as the Festival’s three prepares anyone for a better life. I'm extremely grateful to the school that prepared me for my future. the courses theatres, and on two This is a day I will never forget and an honour I will always cherish.” Winter Park Mayor David end at the occasions it will be Strong also presented her with a key to the city. Guildhall possible to see all ten on School of a single day, in an event EMusic & Drama a Biography of Claudette Colbert christened “Mad Dogs Gold Medal Award and Englishmen.” NCS member Bernard F. Dick is a professor of communication for Drama is Kate Lynch will and English at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. His announced. This direct Star Chamber year the winner is (only performed once as latest book is Claudette Colbert: She Walked in Beauty, the first major biography of Ms. Colbert in over twenty years. This Gwilym Lee the part of the Tonight at delightful and informative book chronicles her long career and her very first Noël 8:30 premier) as the early life in Paris and New york. Many of the photos in this book Coward Scholar at lunchtime offering at are from an archive called Photofest, operated by NCS member the school. The Noël the Royal . Howard Mandelbaum. The book is available on Coward Scholarship Maxwell said she got www.amazon.com. Other books by Mr. Dick include biographies is funded by the the idea for mounting of film producer, Hal Wallis and actress, Rosalind Russell. Noël Coward Tonight at 8:30 while Foundation and seeing Lynch direct offered by the Gwilym with Stephen Fry and fellow students Hands Across the Sea Guildhall to one at the Oxford NCS Conference through Shaw's intern student following director program. West Coast News -Coward at ACT in Seattle interviews for their played Edward, Prince of Wales in the RSC’s Richard III Maxwell then read all by Kathy Williams three-year drama course. directed by Elijah Moshinsky. His awards include: Guildhall ten plays and realised Gwilym joined the acting programme at the Guildhall after Drama Gold Medal, 2008; The Noël Coward Scholarship and each was a little jewel, n June 19th, ACT (A Contemporary Theatre) resounded with wild applause and a reading English at . Those of you who was successful in the BBC Radio Drama, Carlton Hobbs and that they ran the standing ovation for the opening night of A Marvelous Party: The Noël Coward attended the Oxford Conference organised by NCS at St. Bursary Competition. gamut, from comedy to Celebration. This effervescent musical revue showcased the talents of five Seattle- Catherine’s College, Oxford Future Definite: a Celebration of During an interview with Gwilym he was keen to express drama to musicals. centric artists: Director and co-creator David Ira Goldstein, co-creators Mark Anders the work of Noël Coward in September, 2006, may remember his deep gratitude to the Noël Coward Foundation for providing and Anna Lauris, actor David Silverman, and musical director Richard Gray. that Gwilym was one of the 12 students supported by the Noël the financial support to enable him to attend the Guildhall OA Marvelous Party introduces neophytes to Coward’s life Brief Encounter Coward Foundation who attended the conference and, under the School - without it he feels he could never have taken advantage Houston Grand Opera and music with quotes, quips, and bits of biography interwoven tutelage of James Copp and Marcy Kahan, gave a wonderful of the opportunities the Guildhall School offered. An Opera in Two Acts among 35 songs, as well as bringing joy to ardent Coward fans reading of Coward’s 10th ‘forgotten’ play from Tonight at 8:30 - When I asked whether, in his mind, there was any particular Music by André with a couple of his esoteric numbers “What Ho! Star Chamber reason why he was selected to receive the Coward scholarship - Previn Mrs. Brisket” and “Would You Like to Stick a Pin in My Gwilym, aged 24, is from Birmingham. He took the lead role he drew one particular parallel between himself and Coward - Libretto by John Balloon?” - plus a one-woman tour-de-force by Ms. Lauris, who of Vindice in the Guildhall School's production of The the fact that they had both been child actors. Coward’s Caird sings and dances the parts of half a dozen characters in the six- Revenger's Tragedy earlier this year. He appears in the BBC TV childhood acting record is well-known - Gwilym was a member song medley of “The Coconut Girl” from, The Girl Who Came Anna Lauris, David Silverman, Mark Anders and Richard Gray series Mutual Friends, a comedy drama starring Keeley Hawes, of the Birmingham Central Television Workshop between 1995- to Supper, Coward's final score in 1963. She ends Act I with a Alexander Armstrong and Marc Warren, and will also shortly be 2001 appearing as the child James Hunter in Animal Ark a bang (cartwheels across the stage, followed by a split). seen in ITV's Lewis. children's drama about a vet's daughter that appeared on UK Act I covers many of Coward’s famous songs (including “Mad Dogs and Englishmen”, which, by The Guildhall School's Drama Gold Medal is awarded at the screens for two series between 1997 and 1998. the way, one may now purchase online as a ringtone from the Apple iTunes store) in a setting of end of the three-year BA Acting course. Many of its recipients Gwilym is a refreshingly unassuming man who feels he is backstage/music hall. Shifting locales, Act II offered a swanky nightclub cabaret of classics most of have gone on to high-profile careers. Previous winners include lucky to have been able to pursue a career in acting - one that he which Coward sang in Las Vegas. Superb dancing and musicianship throughout —Anders and Gray Marcia Warren, Lesley Sharp, , Jodie was not initially certain was right for him. His talent has clearly The world premiere of played two pianos, four hands, seamlessly blending Coward’s tunes with classical and pop references. Whittaker and Michelle Dockery. been recognised by many along the way. He looks set to follow André Previn’s Brief In a nod to Coward’s knack for the contemporary mot juste, Gwilym is currently rehearsing for Oedipus at The National in the footsteps of those who have won honours at the Guildhall Encounter, based on the cast wrote an extra verse for the send-up of Cole Porter’s Theatre in London in the part of ‘The Messenger’ and School - I feel sure ‘The Master’ would be delighted. ’s classic “Let’s Do It”, referencing Seattle luminaries and places, which understudying ‘Oedipus’ himself, played by . He John Knowles film adaptation of a play had most of the audience howling, but was a bit by Noël Coward. incomprehensible to an out-of-towner. Even so, the good mood - a short update on the latest on the other Noël Coward websites... Brief Encounter was irresistible. WEBSITE NEWS The core ensemble The Coward Estate www.noëlcoward.com (also www.noëlcoward.co.uk). Recently updated: What’s On?, play synopses and stars Elizabeth Futral Mark Anders, left, Anna Lauris and Nathan Gunn as and David Silverman (Goldstein, Anders, and Lauris) Media Rack pages and the development of Home, News and What’s On? pages for mobile devices. Planned enhancements are to Laura and Alec, and has wowed audiences from update the look and feel of the site and provide greater visual clarity. Kim Josephson as Boston to Laguna Beach, California with Coward’s music. Silverman The Coward Foundation www.noëlcoward.org Recent additions: Gwilym Lee the first Noël Coward Scholar at the Guildhall Laura’s bewildered and Gray rounded out the cast in Seattle with fine performances. Let’s School of Music and Drama who recently gained the school’s Drama Gold Medal. Planned enhancements include the development husband. Patrick hope they bring the Party to a theatre near you sometime soon. of the design and content this Autumn to reflect the achievements of those institutions and individuals who have benefitted from the Summers conducts. For more details, see the Media Rack (a web page on the Coward work of the Noël Coward Foundation. Estate web site), which includes three reviews of ACT’s production: The Music of Noël Coward www.noëlcowardmusic.com Current: website has a domain and two holding pages. Planned to be May 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 2009 http://www.noëlcoward.com/html/mediarack.html developed into an attractive and accessible website that celebrates the music of Noël Coward - with audio and video clips and links Mark Anders & Anna Lauris to online stores for CD, sheet music and books and to the NCMI by Alan Farley and Dominic Vlasto. Page 2 Page 11 UK COWARD Birthday LETTERS and more... Celebrations ance Salway has sent in the item to the left on the Moira Lister Archive at the LUNCH MENU National English Literary Museum (NELM) that promotes the reading and Warm Tart of Arbroath Smokies & Potted Booking now! appreciation of all forms of imaginative South African literature in English. Shrimps with a Baby Leaf Salad Meanwhile Gary R. Planck tells this interesting tale of the high seas... Saturday 13th December, 2008 “While on a transatlantic crossing from Southampton to New York aboard the Roast PheasantBrandy with Apples, Sauce Bacon & Apple Annual General Meeting of the LQueen Mary 2 a few weeks ago, I was pleasantly surprised to see, on the walls of the corridor surrounding the ship's Illuminations Theatre, huge black and white Noël Coward Society photographs of celebrities from years gone by who had frequented the Queen Game Chips & Braised Red Cabbage Flower-laying at the Theatre Elizabeths, Mary, and other Cunard Line ships. Among these photos are ones of Ivor Royal, Drury Lane Novello, David Niven, Somerset Maugham, Rex Harrison, Marlene Dietrich, Steamed Pear & Ginger Upside Down and Lunch at The Claudette Colbert, and, of course, Noël Coward. Shown standing in hat, topcoat, and Pudding with Devon Clotted Cream scarf while leaning against a stack of “his luggage,” here is pictured one of the line's Coffee & Chocolates Come and join us at the Annual General most frequent voyagers who, according to Elspeth Wills, personifies Meeting of the Society at the Noël Coward “cocktails, caviar and Cunard.” The pictures and their descriptions also appear in Theatre in St. Martin’s Lane (by kind Ms. Wills’ small book, STARS ABROAD, available for purchase in the QM2's A half a bottle of wine, per person, is also included - either permission of Sir Cameron Mackintosh), on bookshop. On board our ship was American theatre producer and former Vice Saturday 13th December, 2008. Coffee will President and General Manager of 's Radio City Music Hall, Steven Ardèche Chardonnay, Louis Latour 2006 or be served at the theatre from Sir Château de Roques, Château Lezongars Rivellino, who gave three lectures, one about the Music Hall, “The Showplace of the 2004 10:00 am before the meeting at 10.30 am. wearing the distinctive Nation.” In narrating the story of the theatre's disastrous marathon opening night on Garrick Club tie December 27, 1932, Mr. Rivellino reminded his listeners that in the audience that rainy evening was Noël Coward. However, he failed to mention that some four years Sir Donald Sinden is our guest of honour this year so much about John Michael’s work with Coward’s music later, on February 12, 1937, Mr. Coward ran a Benefit for Flood Relief at the Music and will be laying flowers on the statue of Noël Coward at the on the international cabaret circuit and also of his stage Hall, creating another marathon production, this one from 12:30 AM to 5:00 AM Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, at 12 noon. Join Sir Donald and performances - it will be our honour and delight to be which was also broadcast around the country by radio. As Master of Ceremonies he other NCS members at the flower-laying and for drinks serenaded by a renowned Australian troubadour, especially introduced such performers and friends as , Beatrice Lillie, Gertrude afterwards in the Foyer Bar at Drury Lane. Sir Donald is a as he is celebrating 25 years as a professional exponent of Lawrence, and many other stars then appearing in the New York City area.” member of The Garrick Club and will be our host there for Coward’s music.” SAIL AWAY lunch later at 1:30 pm. In the June 2008 edition of Home Chat John Michael’s special affinity for Coward’s witty and This photograph sent in by a we provided details about The Garrick Club. Sir Donald has nostalgic material came to international prominence in member recalls the celebration kindly agreed to give members a brief tour of the paintings 1991. He was invited to perform at the grand re-opening of of Sail Away’s 200th owned by the club. Singapore’s Raffles Hotel, which had been closed for two performance on Broadway in British stage actor Sir Donald Sinden starred in many years for a $200 million renovation. Twenty international 1962. recalls that outstanding British films of the including The Cruel Sea, tours later, including gala performances aboard QE2 and a Noël was “her friend, my Mogambo, , , Doctor special invitation to fire Hong Kong’s Noonday Gun director and part of the reason at Large, The Siege of Sidney Street, Twice Round the Daffodils. (immortalised by Coward in Mad Dogs and Englishmen for my success. He was like a He later starred in the television series Two's Company (1974), and fired by him in 1986) cemented Swinbank’s reputation father-figure to me although I Never the Twain (1981), and Playing Shakespeare (1988), and as ‘Australia’s foremost Coward exponent’ also found him very attractive.” was heard as the voice of Doc in the 1995 animated feature “After Broadway we took Balto. A Royal Shakespeare Company stalwart since the 1960s, The entry to the AGM and the flower-laying at Drury Sail Away to London for six among many notable stage appearances are The Wars of the Lane is free of charge and includes drinks at the Foyer months and I had a huge Roses opposite Dame and for the 1976 Stratford Bar. However, we should like to know how many people to success.” season and then at the Aldwych in 1977, he gave an outstanding expect, so please complete the accompanying booking comedy performance partnered with Dame as form and send it to Denys Robinson. Beatrice and Benedick in the ‘British Raj’ revival of Much Ado PLEASE NOTE that US members who wish to attend About Nothing. He also won the Evening Standard Best Actor should contact Denys Robinson at 4 Parkside, Vanbrugh award that year for his outstanding performance as . Fields, London SE3 7QQ Tel: 020 8265 8879 or email: Other memorable RSC performances were ; The [email protected] Relapse and . Donald Sinden wrote his Please note that there is a restriction on numbers autobiography in 1982, entitled A Touch of the Memoirs. attending The Garrick Club, so bookings will be taken on a first come, first John Michael Swinbank, a long-standing served basis. The cost of member of the Society is joining us from Perth, Western the lunch and cabaret at Australia - he will entertain us with songs from his Coward The Garrick is £95 per repertoire. The Australian based singer renowned for his member or guest. distinctive interpretation of the British composer’s songs will The price includes make his UK debut at this occasion. On Coward’s birthday itself each member’s share of John Michael and long-time accompanist, Tim Cunliffe will the club’s charge for open a season of their cabaret Noël et Noël at the New End opening, exceptionally, on Theatre in . Barbara Longford says, “We have heard a Saturday. John Michael Swinbank & Edgar Metcalf A section of a promotional photograph from the first production of - probably the finest photograph ever taken of Noël and Gertie in their greatest success together. With thanks to Robert Gardiner Page 10 Page 3 Victor and Sibyl - are that they are much smaller parts. They are Programme and ticket for the 1953 ‘Stars At Private Lives at the Palace not the star turns, of course, but the parts, although slight, are STARS AT MIDNIGHT Midnight’ in aid of the Actors’ Orphanage n Tuesday 19th August, 48 members met on the large. Noël first offered the role of Victor to Laurence Olivier, Terrace of The Orangery in Kensington n the last edition of Home Chat we featured a piece on the three Midnight convinced that only a good actor could play a bore. Roger Revues in aid of the Actors’ Orphanage that were organised by Noël Coward. Gardens, to have supper and watch an open air Barclay as Victor and Benson as Sibyl really shone in performance of Private Lives. Alas, it was a Shown to the right is the cover, designed and donated by , of these lesser roles and both performed with bravura. All the the first of the three shows on 28th May 1953. Prior to this in 1937 the typically English Summer’s evening and ‘rain members to whom I spoke afterwards had loved this production. Ostopped play’. The cast, no doubt all of whom had more than a children of the Actors’ Orphanage performed at a Royal Performance that I have never before seen Private Lives in a small and quite I contained excerpts from a pantomime that included ’s brother nodding acquaintance with the ‘Noël Coward Diaries’, decided intimate setting and I think it plays so very well in such a to rise above it and continued with exquisite sang froid and Paul, sadly lost during the war. The full Pantomime, Cinderella, followed after surrounding. But without doubt, this is the finest light comedy Christmas in 1938 and was presented by Noël Coward and the Committee of the Actors’ Orphanage and directed by . The programme covers for its performance at both the Bijou and the Gaiety Theatre in the Strand are shown. Carole Barzilay remembers these pantomimes with great affection. She writes... For me the happiest time at Langley was rehearsing and presenting the annual Pantomime. Our final one, in 1938, was Cinderella, and I was lucky to have the part of Prince Charming. We performed it for two weeks in our own Bijou Theatre, then, as for the previous year, Noël arranged for us to do 3 fund- raising matinees at the Gaiety Theatre in the Strand. I remember the excitement of the coach trip and arriving to hear Leslie Henson’s gravelly voice saying, “Relax Babies,” as he ushered us into the dressing rooms, and kindly Gladys Henson and other well-known stars putting our stage make-up on. The stage and auditorium and orchestra all seemed huge at first, but everyone, including Debroy Somers, the conductor, encouraged and supported us and it all went very well. Then to cap it all, Noël got us into the Royal Variety Command Performance, to do just the ballroom scene! We were agog to see so many famous stars at the dress rehearsal (I remember with a basket of oranges, dressed as Nell Gwyn), but of course we didn’t get to watch the show. We were told not to look at the Royal Box, but I got in a quick peek as I held up the glass slipper before the curtain fell. Then Noël Coward appeared backstage to congratulate us all, and to me he said, “Well done! You have great stage Sophie ward and Roger Barclay (Amanda and Victor) and Simon Dutton and Sophie Ward (Elyot and Amanda) in Private Lives at Kensington Palace presence.” (I wasn’t quite sure what that meant but it felt good, and I was so Candida Benson played the part of Sybil. proud to tell my parents later!) when Victor asked Amanda to “Come outside, the view is It was some years later and in a very different setting that he spoke to me of the Twentieth Century". personally again. I was in ‘sick-bay’ at the Edwin Gould Foundation, New York, wonderful”, the rain was already enveloping us all. Lines from Before the performance we had supper at The Orangery, ‘I’ve Been to a Marvellous Party’ sprang to mind, as it was in where I had spent 3 days with tonsillitis, but due to come out that day. Not built from 1704-5, during the reign of Queen Anne. It is her expecting a visitor, I had curled up my long hair with rags (strips of white the fresh air, and we went as we were and we stayed as we principal memorial, situated just north of the Palace and was were………. cotton) tied in big bows all over my , when he appeared at my door and supposed to serve as a greenhouse for exotic plant and citrus exclaimed, “Ah! Widow Twankey!” before chatting to ease my embarrassment However, most fortunately for us all, the performance was trees, but was also used as a ‘summer supper house’ and place only halted for a few minutes and we were treated to what was, and shook my hand before leaving. How great of him to take time from his busy of entertainment. Members were utterly delighted to meet some life to visit us in the Bronx, to let us know he still cared for our welfare. I still get for me, one of the finest productions of the play I have seen. friends of Noël’s - Blanche Blackwell, Lady Daubeny and The director was NCS member, Robert Perkins, also an actor, a warm glow whenever I see or hear his name! He was such a lovely person. Programmes for the Cinderella Pantomime at the Bijou Michael Cox all joined us for the occasion, as the photograph Theatre at Langley and the Gaiety Theatre in the Strand who in 2000 played the role of Victor for Terry Hands. The Carol Barzilay below shows. (June Lester) production company, Carpe Momento, worked in cooperation Barbara Longford with the Historic Royal Palaces Summer Theatre Season. Sophie Ward was quite captivating as Amanda. She was utterly self-assured and confident in the role, with great clarity of diction and variable and well modulated speech perfectly convincing for the period. The fact that she is slim, elegant and beautiful should go without saying, but alas, these days directors often cast the oddest females in glamorous roles. On this occasion, I think everyone in the audience could imagine why Elyot was so in love with her. She was particularly amusing towards the end of Act III, after her reverie about loving travelling and “arriving at strange places, and seeing strange people, and eating strange foods”…when Elyot interjects “And making strange noises afterwards”. Amanda spluttered her coffee violently over the stage. It seemed so real. Simon Dutton was a more than adequate Elyot, with a lovely voice and sense of timing, but if one was looking for perfection one would seek an actor with more charisma or edge, someone with whom you could imagine yourself dashing off during your honeymoon evening with another. Programme for the Royal Performance in aid of The King George’s Pensions Fund 1937 Many people’s conception of the roles of the other couple - Nick Myskin, Blanche Blackwell and Michael Cox at Private Lives and poster for Cinderella at the Gaiety Theatre Page 4 Page 9 For what seemed like an age she delivered a tirade of abuse America’ and the craft class was playing around with a lump of about Britain and the British, hardly pausing for breath. The girl clay. After two years I still couldn’t sing and I had made just next to me, knowing I was one of the English students, turned to three rabbits from my lump of clay. It was difficult to change A BRIEF ENCOUNTER at Carnforth Station me and said, “Surely you are not going to stand for that?” subjects so I simply carried on; it was a terrible waste of Getting no reply, for I was very embarrassed, she stood up and learning time, though maths class was a different story. I sat his Summer we enjoyed the Dales - no reference here to the ubiquitous British radio soap very eloquently told the teacher to shut up. “Don’t be abusive,” next to a Japanese boy (actually, his father was Japanese and his where Jim’s state of health dominated my mother’s post-war life - but to the sort - she said, “get on with American history or I’ll take the matter mother half-American), whose parents worked in New York, but long and deep and verdantly gorgeous and, despite the weather most of Britain enjoyed this up with the Principal.” A boy stood up at the back and doing what exactly I never found out. August, sporting a decently clement cloak of sunshine. supported her. Miss Reynolds then apologised and started the His name was difficult to pronounce so we called him Mick; From a base at the Ancient Unicorn Inn in the old stone-built village of Bowes (noted for lesson. I was in her class for the ensuing year and there was no he and I became close friends. His English was perfect, having T containing the Victorian school that was used by Dickens as the model for Dotheboys Hall) we repetition; in fact she was to help me as time went by. At this spent much time travelling the USA with his parents, and he was ventured to Carnforth to visit something I had always wanted to see - the spiritual home of Brief stage I knew nothing about British/Irish history and was excellent at maths, finding it as easy as I found difficult - he Encounter. The fact that only 523 seconds of the film were actually shot here detracts not from the therefore very embarrassed but I did learn some basic facts from helped me no end. He loved swing music, particularly Benny desire to go, or the care with which the film and its history is presented at the Visitor’s Centre. an Irish boy who was later to become a close buddy. The girl Goodman, so come the weekend we would travel downtown on From our first steps up the famous incline to the aptly named Joyce clock (the original one used who came to my rescue was Mary Ann, my first American the elevated railway and seek out the venue. If it wasn’t Benny in the film, regularly wound and oiled by a local volunteer) we were instantly monochromed, in dark friend and someone who was to set me on course for the Goodman it would be Glenn Miller or Tommy Dorsey. New contrast we made our way to the imagined strains of Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto (in C minor, wonderful world of music. York was wonderful; bright lights, coffee and hot dogs, Coke 2nd movement, Opus 18) to the Milford Junction Refreshment Room, not the original of course, that My first English lesson was entirely different, the teacher and popcorn - and the war was three thousand miles away. was a film set - but to a faithfully reproduced version of the ‘real’ thing that in turn closely being absolutely charming. Again I introduced myself and sat Franklin Roosevelt won the election for a third term. This resembled the original Carnforth Station Buffet that was at the time elsewhere on the station. We down at a vacant desk. After a while she said, “Class we are was really great news for I knew we had a true friend right at the were following in the footsteps of Alec and Laura and the extremely fortunate to have one of the English boys join us - top, especially as there were voices in high places who were not awful Dolly Messiter to be greeted by volunteers, Margaret please stand up Granville.” There was a chorus of ‘ “Hi so friendly towards us, saying that America must not be drawn Blake and Dianne Henderson who personify Yorkshire Granville.” Then she said, “I am going to ask him to read a into another European war. I was very worried about my mother warmth and friendliness and tend the displays and shop - page from this book, please come here Granville.” I was acutely in England because the Germans were now bombing by night part of a brightly lit area that has a small cinema constantly shy; we had never done this at Silverlands. There were thirty- and things looked very bad indeed. Letters kept arriving and showing the film surrounded by walls of carefully framed five strange faces staring at me. I read out the whole page and each time they did I would think of another ship safely crossing information and memorabilia about the stars and the film. when I had finished she asked me to sit down, saying, “Thank the Atlantic, but so many were being sunk by U-boats. We were The only living main cast member is Margaret Barton who you, we all enjoyed that.” “Now class,” she continued, “before so very fortunate, with kind and generous Americans played Beryl. She attended the Brief Encounter 60th Christmas I want every single one of you to speak just like that, everywhere and New York appearing to be so safe. We were anniversary event and is closely connected to the station, with no slurring - just good, solid, English.” A boy at the back allowed to go anywhere, and we could, for just a nickel on the signing copies of the DVD for sale in the shop. immediately stood up, “Please teacher,” he said, “I didn’t elevated railway. The displays reveal a lot of understand a single word.” It became a weekly event for the interesting and unusual facts: students really did like to hear me speak. Next time - Christmas 1940 and when Charlie Chaplin came wasn’t looking The music class turned out to be just singing ‘God Bless to visit the orphans at the Foundation. forward to the filming on Carnforth Station, in a letter she GETTING IT WRONG COWARD FLIES BEA says,”...we have to go up North ell it can happen to anyone and this for 4 weeks’ location on some advertisement or rather apology that, in its horrible railway station, I don’t original form is a large 30 by 20 cms, is clearly know where.” She changed her a final act of reconciliation after William mind later, describing how the Marchant and his publishers had dealt atmosphere amongst the film Wunsuccessfully with the bruised ego of the famed jazz singer - crew was good, and that they were having a good time. The winter of following the publication of his book about his relationship with David Lean visits Carnforth Station prior to filming 1944/45 was bitterly cold. Every night at 01:30 the cast and crew would Noël Coward, The Privilege of His Company. Marchant met break for a meal, and this was taken in the dining cars, which were Coward in 1950 in Westport, Connecticut when he was directing shunted into the Morcambe Bay platform. The cast and senior production his first play for a one-week summer-stock production. Coward people going into one car and the technicians and extras into the other. went out of his way to encourage and help Marchant. It was the Sweets and chocolate were handed out to extras by the production team, beginning of a friendship that was to last until Coward’s death. local people thought this amazing, these luxuries having been rationed for Though sometimes as many as three or four years passed years during the war. between meetings. When the two men came together again the The real station buffet was open during some of the filming. Elaine feeling for Marchant was always the same, “The paternal stance Maudsley remembers serving the film crew tea there and eventually won a he assumed with me...continued throughout the rest of his life... place as an extra in the film (she walks up and down the platform as I was his son as well as his friend.” Ms Welch must still be crosses the track and mounts it). Filming ran from 5th singing above in the choir - she had the most heavenly voice! to the 17th February 1945 with train sound effect recordings taking place for two days afterwards (some of these recordings were used again in Margaret Blake and Dianne Henderson Lawrence of Arabia). A preview of Brief Encounter was shown in a Rochester cinema in 1945, but was not a success, with the audience laughing at the love scenes. The organist in the Palladium scene was playing ‘March Militaire’ and the small orchestra in the Kardomah Café played ‘Spanish Dances No. 5’ by Moritz Moszkowski and also music by Domenico Scarlatti. Having read all of these facts and many more we moved to have tea in the Refreshment Room and settled down near the far window hoping that a mighty express train might rush by at high-speed, sending smoke and sparks dancing into the dark night air. A photograph taken by the late Stephen Marshall when he That a bell might clang and some soldiers enter and ask for some spirits - “no it’s after hours,” she would say and then we watched... worked for BEA as their House Magazine Editor as a young woman came in and sat at a table near the far window... she was hiding her head and trying not to cry... no it couldn’t be... did she have something in her eye... where’s my handkerchief? John Knowles Page 8 Page 5 Part 3 the story continues with edited extracts from the memories of Granville Bantock who attended the LUCKY ORPHAN Thank You Uncle Sam Actor’s Orphanage at Langley Hall and Silverlands and during its evacuation to America in World War II. he North Atlantic had been very rough and nearly all the The dormitories in the building were very small with four of us visited I fell madly in love in spite of her husband hall complete with stage, and I vividly remember my first children had been sick, so it was a considerable relief to each. The beds were comfortable and there was a very large Brian Aherne coming with her. We had hoped to see Noël occasion. We marched in to a very loud ‘Land of Hope and when the ‘Empress of Australia’ docked in Halifax, bathroom with piping hot showers which the boys really liked. Coward, but we knew he was acting as an unofficial roving Glory’ - great, I thought, a gesture to us English kids. Not so, I Nova Scotia on 4 October. The orphanage party was The food was different but we soon became accustomed to it. ambassador for Britain and travelling all over the world. quickly learned from the boy sitting next to me who exclaimed, Tquickly assembled and boarded on a train for Montreal; Each cottage had a small kitchen with a refrigerator always The day arrived for twenty or so older Actors’ Orphanage “It’s the finest American patriotic song ever written.” I asked we passed through miles of trees in full Autumn foliage and the stocked with milk, there was always plenty of delicious bread boys and girls to attend High School for the first time - we were him who composed it but he didn’t know. It was played every colours were magnificent. We slept on the train the first night, and butter if we felt hungry, but the main hot food came up very apprehensive. Al, the friendly morning. We all had to pledge arriving in Montreal the following evening and were then taken every day from a central kitchen. Foundation bus driver, made sure allegiance to the flag, sing ‘God to a hostel for a good night’s sleep. We were all very excited The Foundation was well-equipped with medical and dental we were all comfortable before Bless America’ and listen to about the long train journey to California, but then the facilities, including a sanatorium. Within days of arriving we all setting off on the wrong side of the readings from the Gettysburg bombshell dropped: announced after breakfast had to undergo a thorough medical and dental examination. road - we thought! Shortly he address. With such a broad that there was to be a change of plan. We would be going to When my turn came to enter the doctor’s consulting room, I pulled up outside what appeared to ethnic mix of students, remember saying “I’m told I have a weak heart!” be a huge factory so we remained engendering patriotic The doctor listened through his stethoscope and seated expecting to be moving enthusiasm was essential. called a colleague to listen as well. “Granville,” he along again. He then said in his A presidential election was said “we have never heard better...” I wondered best Bronx accent “Youse kids, this underway and the New York whether the old family doctor had got it wrong way is Christopher Columbus High World’s Fair was in full swing. back in 1935. School - they teach thousands of Knowing absolutely nothing The dental inspection was different - “Your teeth stoodents in there.” What a shock - about American politics, I just are good,” said the lady dentist, “but we will have to we had just come from an English hoped Democrat Franklin remove the two broken ones in the front and make country house surrounded by green Roosevelt would win a third you a plate with two perfect ones.” I told her that the fields, woods and only 70 pupils to term, as Republican Wendell dentist in England would fit caps when I was older, now face a huge building Wilkie was against any but she said I couldn’t wait that long because my surrounded by suburbia and involvement in the European appearance was completely spoiled. With no one containing six thousand pupils. war. We were taken to the around to advise me or to talk over the problem I How, we wondered, could it all World’s Fair soon after we made a bad decision, agreeing to have two teeth work? arrived in New York and it was The Edwin Gould Foundation - Pelham, Bronx, New York extracted and a plate fitted. For just two teeth the We filed into the Principal’s fantastic; our first introduction plate felt large and uncomfortable, taking a long office and received a very warm to hot dogs, popcorn, Coca- The Actors’ Orphanage children occupied the entire block shown above. The younger time to get used to. I had not been at all concerned welcome. He explained that the Cola and real coffee. Our hosts children were educated in classrooms on the premises and the older ones attended near-by about my appearance but was destined to keep a staff and students knew of our showed us to the British Christopher Columbus High School. There were about two acres of recreation area at the chunk of plastic in my mouth for the rest of my life. arrival and would help us in any Pavilion - it was heartwarming rear and in a sports field a short distance away there were tennis courts and a swimming pool. Mr Griffin arranged for the children under way they could. First though, we to see the Union Jack flying and New York instead of Hollywood. There were sighs and moans of fourteen to be educated at the Foundation, which had several had to go to a ‘Home Class’ to sort a Spitfire as the main exhibit disappointment. I think this had been arranged before we left classrooms, and for the older ones to attend the local high out a curriculum which was outside. We had seen many England but not divulged in case parents withdrew their children school some two miles away. The Foundation bus took us to expected to take all day, and Spitfires flying over Silverlands from the evacuation. school in the morning and we walked back in the afternoon. We indeed it did. many times, but not close to the We travelled by train to New York and then coach to the learned that Noël Coward was in Hollywood where he was Some of us were just under Some of the ‘good luck’ messages and signatures of members of the British ground. This was the plane that Edwin Gould Foundation at Pelham in the Bronx. With visions endeavouring to arrange sponsorship for the Orphanage children fifteen and some just older, but we actors’ community in Hollywood who sponsored the children of the Actors’ helped to win the Battle of Orphanage whilst they were in New York including Cary Grant, Charlie of sunny California in our minds, the buildings of the from resident members of the British acting fraternity. Indeed were all to start with the freshmen Chaplin, Boris Karloff, Ronald Colman, Douglas Fairbanks and May Whitty Britain. The symbol of the fair Foundation were a great disappointment with a road in front and every one of us was found a sponsor (54 in all), which was a - fourteen year olds - which was as was a large sphere and pointed a railway line at the rear there was very little play area in- wonderful act of generosity. To this day I am not sure whether well because, age for age, they were ahead of us in many column, we sat down nearby to listen to Irving Berlin play ‘God between. However soon realising that we were away from the Orphanage funds were transferred to the Gould Foundation or subjects. At Silverlands we had very small classes but here there Bless America’ and hand out autographed copies of sheet music. food rationing, blackout and the bombs of war, we quickly whether the Americans and sponsors paid for our entire keep. were thirty-five to a class, each with a considerable ethnic mix. There was popcorn, Coke and ice-cream - it was a marvellous settled in, grateful for now being guests in the United States of Not long after arriving at the Perhaps we had too many distractions like green fields, many day. America. Going from blacked-out England to a New York Foundation I received a letter from Dame May Whitty sports, bikes to ride - and the hayloft. Compulsory subjects were The first full day at Christopher Columbus High School was ablaze with light was an incredible experience, as were the Hollywood, it was Dame May Whitty now maths, English, another language, American History, and traumatic; outnumbered by thousands, England at war, America generous kind people all around who helped us. We were, of introducing herself as my sponsor but civic studies, but we could make up the necessary points for at peace, and totally lost in the huge crowd of students, there course, very worried about our families back home facing the saying that it would be impossible for Graduation by taking other subjects of our own choice. I chose were twenty English children. We only had to say two words to mighty German army poised across The Channel. her to travel to New York to see me. music, craft arts and geography. The geography was OK but the be immediately recognised as ‘Limeys’. Several of the English Mr Edwin Gould, a philanthropist, had established the Instead she had asked her daughter, art and crafts and music later proved to be a bad decision. boys were still in short trousers which was even worse: Foundation to care for deprived American children, so it was a Margaret Webster to act for her. Curriculum’s prepared, we returned to the Foundation to prepare “Where’s the other half of yer pants?” was often asked, with huge act of generosity to take in 54 orphans from England. Margaret Webster, a theatrical producer, for the following day. much mirth. The Foundation quickly remedied this situation. I There were of course American children in residence when we lived in New York where she was very Teachers remained in their classrooms all the time and remember my first day in the history class where I introduced arrived but we were allocated one large building divided into involved with the Shakespeare students came to them for lessons. It was incredible; a bell myself to the teacher, Miss Reynolds, before sitting down next three ‘cottages’, one for boys, one for girls and the other for the Company. The list of Hollywood would ring and thousands of students had just four minutes to to a girl with a very warm smile. When all the students were very young boys and girls... all were connected by corridors. Mr. sponsors included most of the British actors and actresses living get to their next lessons. There were one-way corridors, up settled the teacher stood up so we were expecting the lesson Griffin, the Principal, was extremely kind and did all he could to in California, and they would visit us at the Foundation stairways and down stairways and plenty of toilets. It all worked American history to start. Instead however, she began with, make us comfortable, even keeping the swimming pool open an whenever they were in New York. Charlie Chaplin came several like clockwork. The day would startn with a visit to the Home “Now class, I am going to tell you all about the British and the extra week so that we could relax after three weeks travelling. times and so did Cary Grant and Douglas Fairbanks, but when Class before assembly which took place in a huge concert type way they treated the Irish.” She was of Irish extraction! Page 7 Page 6