The Newsletter Of The Noël Cow ard Society October 2005 The Newsletter Of The Noël Cow ard Society October 2005

FREE TO productions across the globe MEMBERS OF Is What'syour production or event On? shown here...? - If you want your item items to be included here please send us the details. THE SOCIETY (* denotes Premiere, TBC = To be confirmed, BO = Box Office) Professional companies are shown in blue Price £3 ($5) In the United Kingdom In North America Hands Across The Sea homeCHAT WEST END REVIVAL of HAY FEVER Food for Thought Productions, New York City Starring Judi Dench and directed by Sir Peter Hall. Wed, October 19, 2005, Thur, November 10, 2005 The President of The Noël Cow ard Society Theatre to be announced. First preview - 6th April 2006; Info & BO: 212/362-2560 Press Night - 19th April 2006. Fallen Angels April to November 2005 - (in repertory) Stratford Festival His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent Theatre - Stratford, Ontario - Canada Fallen Angels Design For Living 25t to 29 Oct - Hen and Chickens Theatre, Highbury & The Society is delighted to announce Sid Field Benefit…….Highest spot – 4 Sep to 23 Oct - Circle Theatre, 7300 (Marengo) W. Madison Islington, London. Tickets £11, concs. £9. BO 020 7704 2001 that His Royal Highness, The Duke of Judy Garland.” StreetForest Park, Illinois. (This is a theatre in the suburbs of Blithe Spirit Kent, KG, GCMG, CVO, ADC, has As the years passed there were other Chicago - the play is being directed by Society member , Jim 3 to 5 Jun 2006 - Mulberry Theatre Co.,Village Hall, accepted our invitation to become the references, some more fleeting than Schneider.) Doveridge, Derbyshire Society’s President, succeeding the late others: “Lunched with the Duchess and Blithe Spirit 27 Oct to 5 Nov - Sutton Arts Theatre, Sutton Coldfield Sir John Mills, CBE. Princess Alexandra”, “had tea with 11 to 20 Nov - Dunnville Community Theatre, Dunnville, 2 to 4 Nov - Reigate ATS, Harlequin Theatre, Redhill, Surrey This is a fitting tribute to the long Princess Marina”, and so on. Ontario 13 to 15 Oct - Sherbert Prod. Charles Cryer Theatre, friendship of His Royal Highness’s Noël was a genuine friend who Oct 21 to 23, 28 to 30, Nov 4 & 5 Fri & Sat at 8 pm, Sun Carshalton, Surrey. parents, the late Prince George, Duke of adored being with the Duchess, whether Matinees at 2 pm - Town Players of New Canaan Powerhouse 11 to 15 Oct - Sidmouth ADS, Manor Pavilion, Sidmouth Kent and Princess Marina, with Noël. entertaining her in lavish style, or merely Theatre, Waveny Park New Canaan, Connecticut. BO: (203) 26 to 29 Oct - Colwall players, Village Hall Colwell, Worcs. Prince George was the fourth son of dropping in for a quiet chat over a drink 966-7371 www.tpnc.org Director NCS member, Scott R. Brill. Semi-Monde King George V, and Princess Marina was or two. Princess Marina died in 1968, 9 to 11 Oct - Oundle School. Oundle, Peterborough, Cambs. the daughter of Prince Nicholas of aged only 61, from an inoperable brain Waiting In The Wings Greece. The couple married in 1934 and tumour. Noël visited her for tea on the 25 Jun to 2 Jul 2006 - New Venture Theatre, Brighton The Comedy of Coward Festival 2005 were regarded as the most attractive, day she returned from hospital and wrote Hay Fever supported by popular and, above all, stylish royal afterwards, “She was in bed and looked 28 Nov to 3 Dec - Qu. Elizabeth’s Grammar Schl. Ashbourne The Noël Coward Foundation couple of their generation. Prince very papery. I am worried about her. 27 to 29 Oct - Gosforth ADS, Public hall, Gosforth George met Noël in 1923, just as his She was very cheerful, however, and we 7 to 11 Feb 2006 - Exeter Uni. Theatre Co., Northcote SUNDAY 9 OCTOBER 14.00 - 15.30 career was taking off. Both men had gossiped and giggled.” Theatre, Exeter THE NOËL COWARD COMEDY ROUNDTABLE immense charm and astonishing good Our new President was born in 1935 31 Oct to 5 Nov - Chipstead players, Courtyard Theatre, 'PLAYING COWARD' looks and represented the crème de la and was styled His Royal Highness Chipstead, Surrey A lively panel discussion chaired by Gyles Brandreth on crème of the glittering 1920’s London Prince Edward of Kent – as a grandson Photo: Wikipedia.org 13 to 25 May 2006 - Whitefield Garrick Soc. Garrick Theatre, the various experiences of actors and director in playing Society. On reading the terrible news of of the British sovereign in the male line, passed the French interpretership Whitefield Noël Coward's plays. Guests include : Richard Briers, Prince George’s death in an air crash, in he was given the title Prince of the examination. The Duke retired from the 20 to 22 Oct - Matchbox Theatre Co., Village Hall, Rainhill, Penelope Keith and Thea Sharrock. August, 1942, aged only 39, Noël wrote United Kingdom of Great Britain and Army in 1976 with the rank of St. Helens, Merseyside SUNDAY 23 OCTOBER 14.00 - 16.30 in his diary:- Northern Ireland. However, on the death Lieutenant-Colonel and was Private Lives "NOËL IN LOVE" “A dreadful morning. Headlines in of his father on 25th August, 1942, subsequently promoted to Field Marshal 7 to 12 Aug 2006 - Dawlish Rep. Co., Shaftesbury Theatre A masterclass led by Christopher Luscombe, a trustee of the papers saying that the Duke of Kent Prince Edward succeeded his father as in June 1993. Dawlish, Devon The Noël Coward Foundation with professional actors was killed in an air crash. I can har dly Duke of Kent and later in 1959 took his He has travelled widely and Relative Values looking at The Master's views on love, romance and believe it, but of course that is nonsense seat in the House of Lords. As a royal represented The Queen on important 7 to 18 Jun 2006 - Highbury Theatre Centre, Highbury Little relationships by exploring scenes from the plays of Noël because I believe it only too well. It is duke, he was destined for royal duties at occasions such as the independence Theatre, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands Coward. never difficult to believe that someone an early age. Aged 17, he walked celebrations in Sierra Leone, Uganda, 27 to 29 Oct - Orpen Players, Orpen Hall, West Bergholt SUNDAY 6 NOVEMBER 14.00 - 16.30 young and charming and kind is dead. behind the coffin of his uncle, George VI Guyana, Barbados and The Gambia. He 25 to 26 Nov - Braishfield M&DS, Village Hall, Braishfield TUESDAY 8 NOVEMBER 19.00 - 21.00 They are always dying…..Well, there goes at his state funeral in 1952 and in 1953, has been a Counsellor of State on The The Vortex The Comedy of Coward Festival: a friendship of nineteen years. I shall he attended the coronation of his cousin, Queen's absence abroad. 11 to 15 Oct - Huddersfield Thespians, Laurence Bailey "NOËL COWARD FROM A to Z" miss him most horribly……..” Queen Elizabeth II, paying homage at One of the Duke's major public roles Theatre, Huddersfield A new musical entertainment devised by Dick Vosburgh Noël’s friendship with the elegant her throne after her crowning. for many years was as Vice-Chairman of Still Life with and others Princess Marina continued throughout her HRH, the Duke of Kent, has had a British Trade International, (BTI - 22 to 29 Jul 2006 - New Venture Theatre, Brighton, E. Sussex Dick Vosburgh's pocket revue begins alphabetically with life. His diaries written from the 1940’s distinguished career and made an formerly the British Overseas Trade This Happy Breed Astaire and ends with 'Ziguener' from Bitter Sweet. onwards, and his journals for the 1950s immense contribution to the work of the Board), a position he held from 1976. 1 to 12 Jun 2006 - New Era Players Theatre, Newbury, BO: 020 7943 4750 Theatre Museum, 1e Tavistock St., and 60s were liberally sprinkled with Royal Family. He was commissioned The Duke was actively involved in Berkshire London WC2E 7PR references to Princess Marina. On June from the Royal Military College, leading overseas trade missions and 25th 1951, he wrote “Went with the Sandhurst, in 1955 as a Second visiting companies large and small across With thanks to Samuel French UK and Canada (Play Publishers and Author's Representatives), Ken Starrett (US), Lisa Duchess of Kent to Covent Garden to Lieutenant in the Royal Scots Greys, the the United Kingdom promoting Britain Foster at Alan Brodie Representation (Professional Productions) and other NCS members. hear Bohème – Victoria de los Angeles beginning of a military career which and British companies. The Duke retired Unless otherwise stated all images and text are copyright to NC Aventales AG (Successor in title to the Estate of the Late Sir sang well but looked like a musical lasted over 20 years. At Sandhurst he from this role in 2001, but still retains an Noël Coward). All correspondence should be sent to: The Noël Coward Society, 29 Waldemar Avenue, Hellesdon, Norwich, bun……..Took the Duchess to dine at the won the Sir James Moncrieff Grierson interest in British business at home and NR6 6TB, UK email: [email protected] Tel: 01603 486 188 Ivy, and then on to the Palladium for the prize for foreign languages and also overseas.

Page 12 The Newsletter Of The Noël Cow ard Society October 2005 The Newsletter Of The Noël Cow ard Society October 2005 He is a patron of many charities and and President-in-Chief of the British Morley. Robert Gardiner, Committee organisations ranging from the British Racing Drivers' Club. The Duke's member and a Trustee of The Noël Computer Society to the Leukaemia sporting interests include skiing, flying Coward Foundation, had the honour of A COWARD CHRONOLOGY Research Fund. He is President of the and tennis. At Eton he enjoyed rowing meeting The Duke of Kent at a dinner in This is the second part of the Cowar d Chronology that we published in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and in Switzerland he captained his St. Petersburg and recalled hearing him last edition of Home Chat. It did not in fact come fr om the old London the RAF Benevolent Fund, the Royal regimental ski team in the Army speak warmly of Noël and his friendship Office but is a printout of a detailed chr onology up to 1952 found on the National Lifeboat Institution and the championships. with the family. Internet at one point and printed for use in the office. Stroke Association. He is Grand Master Most significantly our President is a Thus it was that Robert Gardiner of the United Grand Lodge of lover of opera and the theatre. suggested that the Committee might 1947 Freemasons of England. Members were delighted to see him at invite His Royal Highness to become our Played Gary Essendine in Revival of Present Laughter (Theatre Royal The Duke is Patron of the London Pizza-on-the-Park in May, with his president. Haymarket, London) Philharmonic Orchestra, the Trinity sister, Princess Alexandra, enjoying a We are delighted that he has Point Valaine produced in London College of Music and the Hanover Band. performance of Gershwin and Coward accepted. Directed revival of Tonight at 8:30 (US tour) He is President of the Wimbledon All music given by Ruth Leon, Michael Barbara Longford Thanks to Margot Peters, Barry Day and my Unproduced play: Long Island Sound England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club Law and our Vice President, Sheridan own re-reading of the two biographies of the Lunts the puzzle over this picture is solved! 1948 Future Definite? – a Celebration of the work of Noël Cow ard Margot Peters wrote: Bessie Porter was Lynn's Briefly took over male leads in US Tour of Tonight at 8:30 (San Francisco) London dresser for many years. See index in my Directed revival of Tonight at 8:30 on Broadway (National, NY - 26 perfs) St. Catherine’s College, Oxford Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd September , 2006 biography of the Lunts, Design for Living. Played Max Aramont in Joyeux Chagrins, a.k.a. Present Laughter “And that sweet city with her dreaming spires, She needs not June for beauty’ s heightening…… Barry Day added: Sally Ann Howes solved it (Brussels) for me. “Bessie” was a Cockney dresser for L ynn Private Lives revived on Broadway (Plymouth, NY - 248 perfs) Do join us next September in the make this conference the reason for a play-readings. In this way we hope to Fontanne in the 1930s ( Design For Living etc.) beautiful and unique city of Oxford at a visit. They will receive a warm make the future of Coward’s work a when the group picture was taken. Her name was 1949 weekend for members to share their love welcome from all the UK members, ‘definite’. Bessie Porter and she later became Sally Ann's Film: The Astonished Heart of Noël Coward’s work and gain nineteen of whom will be in New York There are other exciting sessions dresser. Played Christian Faber in film The Astonished Heart inspiration from the words of some this December, for the flower-laying at under discussion for the weekend, but In Design For Living Margot Peters writes: On Unproduced Musical: Hoi Polloi notable experts on Coward. Other the Gershwin Theatre. before we can go any further with our July 17 (1938), the last night (of Amphitryon), eminent speakers, whose own work may This conference aims to be fun; we plans we do need a firm commitment Lynn gave Bessie Porter, her dresser, a big tip and 1950 have been influenced by The Master, are hope to make it an occasion that Noël from our members. hugged her goodbye (from London). Musical: Wrote and directed Ace of Clubs also being invited. himself would have enjoyed. For Only with an expression of your In the war years: Noël’s studio had taken a hit (Cambridge, London - 211 perfs) Vice President, Stephen Fry, will be example, after tea and before cocktails support, will we have the confidence to (been bombed). Bessie Porter, Lynn’s dresser, addressing us during the weekend as will on Saturday, there will be a guided approach potential sponsors of the wrote (to Lynn Fonatnne) of no coffe, meat or tea, 1951 Barry Day, from New York. They have literary walking tour of Oxford, weekend for help with funding for the of truning ragged sheets sides to middle. Living in Cabaret: October engagement at Cafe de Paris (London) both expressed their keen enthusiasm and followed by a black tie dinner, and students, and for a modest honorarium a garret flat, and Bessie had gotten “bounced out of Revue: Song for The Lyric Revue (Lyric, London - 141 perfs) willingness to participate – other cabaret. for our outside guest speakers and their bed up to the ceiling by a bomb.” Play: Wrote and directed Relative Values (London) professional commitments permitting. There will be a ‘Parkinson type’ of expenses. She (Lynne Fontanne) also sent sympathy: Play: Island Fling (Regional, USA) Marcy Kahan has an intriguing chat show session, where members will St. Catherine’s became a college in “Just a quick line,” she wrote Bessie Porter , session in store for us, as does musical be invited to reminisce about Coward. 1963. It is now one of the lar gest “because I’ve been thinking about your varicose 1952 director, Jeremy Sams and our own This will be hosted by Alan Farley who colleges in Oxford and was built veins.” In addition she continued to make … Revue: Songs for The Globe Revue (Globe, London - 234 perfs) Coward musicologist Dominic Vlasto, on has presented a radio programme about between 1960-64 on flat meadowland Bessie weekly allowances of one to three pounds. The Vortex revived in London (Lyric) the music of Coward. Coward for many years in San near the Cherwell, to the designs of Arne Lynn…. Told Bessie Porter “I expect to be on Cabaret: June engagement (2nd) at Cafe de Paris (London) This is the first time our Society has Francisco. John Knowles will be Jacobsen, the Danish architect deeply the stage until I am ninety.” Check our website for a chronology that covers the period from 1952 organised such an event, but before we presenting an edited version of influenced by the masters of the Thanks to Margot and Barry for their responses! onwards! came into being, in 1999, the centenary Coward’s home movies that include ‘International Modern’ style, especially year, a conference was held at informal shots of his friends at Mies van der Rohe. Jacobsen also laid APRIL IN PARIS - The latest news on our french ex cursion! out the gardens and designed much of Birmingham University, which resulted Goldenhurst and on board ship, In the December edition of Home Friday 28 April Coward play, performed while we are the furniture, including even the cutlery in the publication, by Methuen, of Look including Tallulah Bankhead and Chat members will be able to confirm Lunch at Maxims. Champagne there, if so we will try to obtain matinee used at High Table. Back in Pleasure - Noël Coward Charles Cochrane, the only known their interest by sending a deposit for our reception followed by 3-course lunch, tickets. Dinner will be in a restaurant When the students are away, this Reconsidered (ISBN number O 413 footage of Coward’s mother and father, planned visit to France to explore all red and white wines, coffe and petit followed (hopefully!) by a group singing comparatively young college tries to 75500 2). off and on stage scenes from Words & things Coward en Paris. The outline fours. A pianist and singer will entertain Coward songs in French. supplement its income, by hosting With the re-naming of The Noël Music and Noël’s personal cine itinerary is as follows. The cost of the with the songs of Yvonne Printemps, the Sunday 30 April conferences. It is ideally suited to our Coward Theatre in the West End next travelogue of his trips across the globe. package for members and a booking star of Conversation Piece and a close Leave Paris around noon by 1st Class purpose, as all the rooms have en suite year and the production of ‘Hay Fever ’ Our own Coward book shop will be form will be available in our next Home friend of Noël’s. This will be preceded Eurostar, which includes lunch and wine. facilities, the campus is large, with a starring Dame Judi Dench, this seems an open throughout the weekend with Chat. Members may also arrange their by a visit to their Art Nouveau Museum Arrival at Waterloo will be 3.00 pm water garden and a central circular lawn appropriate moment to provide a forum reduced prices on new books as well as own travel and accommodation and still and ‘1900’ Collection. (approx). all adding to a feeling of space and for the Society to take a contemplative archived books and recordings from the access the planned programme. Saturday 29th April There will be ample time for freedom. look at Coward’s phenomenal Old London Office of Noël Coward. Thursday 27 April A short walking tour of Place Vendome sightseeing and Hélène will be on hand Unusually, for Oxford – which still contribution to the worlds of music and We are inviting a group of students Leave Waterloo by Eurostar around and the surrounding area where Noël to advise or guide to places of interest. retains its medieval street pattern intact – theatre. drawn from the likes of RADA, the Noon. Arrive at our Hotel close to the stayed followed by a pre-lunch drink at there is parking space at St. Catherine’s. We are hoping that some of our National Youth Theatre and LAMDA, to Gare de Nord. Dinner followed by a talk the Ritz Hotel. The tour will be led by More details next time... Yet, it is just a five-minute walk to the members from the USA and around the be our guests at the conference and to on ‘Noël Coward in Paris’ by Marcy Professor Hélène Catsiapis. There may High Street, or “High” - the heart of the world, in particular, will be tempted to participate in a Masterclass session and Kahan. also be a French version of a Noël Marcy Kahan and Geoffrey Skinner

Page 2 Page 11 The Newsletter Of The Noël Cow ard Society October 2005 The Newsletter Of The Noël Cow ard Society October 2005 TONIGHT AT 8:30 AT THE PEARL THEATRE Thanks to Ken Starrett and Chicago city, where there are several historic everything listed above. per person, double room, including Member Jeff Bierig for the following cast hostelries for those wanting a nightcap or We have reserved 50 en suite rooms, breakfast and dinner. Then consider our Ken Starrett reviews... list and review of Circle Theatre's revival two after dinner. ten of these which have to be kept for Conference price, which includes single Noël Coward noted that the one-act play ... “having a great advantage over a long of ‘Design for Living.’ The conference fee provides access to speakers and students and so we are ensuite accommodation for two nights; all one in that it can sustain a mood without technical creaking or overpadding, deserves all sessions, activities and conference looking for 40 members to express their meals: two waiter-served lunches and a better fate, and if by careful writing, acting and producing I can do a little towards CHICAGO SUN-TIMES rooms and offers the following firm support at this stage. dinners, two breakfasts, two morning reinstating it in its rightful pride, I shall have achieved one of my more sentimental comprehensive accommodation package: If you are interested, please be kind coffees and afternoon teas; a full ambitions.” His achievement of nine one-act plays under the title Tonight at 8:30 www.suntimes.com enough to complete the expression of programme of stimulating speakers on would seem to have more than fulfilled his ambition. Friday: afternoon tea, dinner, overnight interest form, included in the magazine Coward; a walking-tour of Oxford; a The Pearl Theatre in New York is a highly acclaimed classical repertory company Circle draws Coward's accommodation in a single room with en- and send it to me to arrive by Friday Saturday night cabaret; finally, the chance which offers a wide range of plays by such authors as Shaw , Moliere, Ibsen, ‘Design’ to perfection suite facilities/tea and coffee making. 28th October. to meet fellow-members of the Society in Sheridan and Euripides. Seen during their season in 2001 was a delightful Barbara Longford. a relaxed setting. Indeed, if you cut out a September 16, 2005 production of Coward’s Blithe Spirit. As a fund-raising event for their 22nd season Saturday: Full English breakfast, mere ONE cappuccino from your daily opening in September, the decision was made to stage concert versions of all nine by Hedy Weiss Theater Critic morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, “To Conference Or Not To Conference” routine (eg. Starbucks – one tall one-act plays in the Tonight at 8:30 collection. They were presented in groups of To get straight to the point: Circle dinner (black tie, with cabaret), cappuccino = £1.85) for the next four three plays each on three successive Mondays beginning August 15th. The plays Theatre's revival of Design for Living the accommodation as above. For those of you hesitating to sign up for months, you will have all the funds you were grouped as they were originally presented in 1936. Noel Coward classic about the ups and the Conference Marcy Kahan addresses need. This event was attended by many Society members and was a good chance to downs of the bohemian life, and all Sunday: Full English breakfast, any reservations you may have... Too claustrophobic! “I won’t know become acquainted with all nine plays, many of which are rarely presented. matters regarding love, art, success, morning coffee, lunch. anyone; a week-end mixing with With no real production values, aided by minimal staging and only piano failure, sexual promiscuity, friendship (Lunches and dinners are waiter served.) Too academic! “I would get bored strangers is my idea of hell.” You will accompaniment, the plays were allowed to stand by themselves. As this project was and morality is sensational on every listening for hours to a lot of have one massively terrific conversational not in any way conceived to be a star vehicle, each member of the company was level. And to be completely frank: I never To ensure that we can approach our impenetrable theorising.” Although the topic in common with everyone at the seen in a variety of roles. Excellent performances by this talented ensemble proved expected it could be so good. sponsors with confidence we need an setting is an Oxford college, the tone and conference: the life and work of Noel to many surprised members of the audience how wonderfully entertaining these Getting Coward right capturing that expression of your interest now. content of the presentations will not be Coward. You can listen to the speakers, plays can be. At a reception following the final performance, the audience was able special mix of brittle crispness and We anticipate that the cost, per narrowly academic. The Conference attend the cabaret, retreat to your room, to meet and chat with members of the cast. suppressed pain, and making the member, including everything listed Committee is composing a roster of take a stroll in the town; there will be no brilliance and speed of the badinage above (not including drinks, other than speakers who are notable for their lively intolerable “shipboard social agenda” simultaneously clear, meaningful and fun teas and coffees) will be between £200 minds and gifts as communicators – forcing you to participate. The is something that can elude even the most and £240. We shall keep the figure as playwrights, actors, directors, atmosphere will be relentlessly urbane. practiced actors and directors. Yet in this low as we can. There will be one or two biographers, and passionate enthusiasts. I hope I’ve convinced you to join us. Forest Park storefront a place that is double rooms, with en suite, included in Too expensive! “I can’t afford a Only a maximum of 50 places available. frequently full of surprises director Jim our allocation of 40 rooms and the cost couple of hundred pounds for a week- A not-to-be-missed chance to take a more Schneider (whose extensive credits for the additional person in a double end away.” Consider the best price of a reflective, in-depth look at Noel. include work both in Houston and room will be £120 approx, to include night’s stay in an average UK hotel: £70 Marcy Kahan Chicago) has assembled a bristling young cast that “gets it” on every count. Sir Noël Coward remembered on the Avenue of Stars at Co vent Garden Not only do they execute Coward's A ceremony, to honour one hundred The first silver stars were placed and today are: devilishly difficult dialogue and decadent celebrities took place in Covent Garden outside St Paul's, The Actors' Church, in Alan Bennett Trevor MacDonald “high life” style with supreme flair, but on Sunday 18th September, 2005. Covent Garden, where many celebrities The Sex Pistols Judi Dench in the process they deliver a potent were invited to attend the launch, and Margot Fonteyn reminder of just how delicious, wise, also to perform on a live television Julie Walters Peter Ustinov caustic and modern he could be. programme. Tom Jones Peggy Ashcroft The first 18 recipients include Sir Charles Laughton CAST Laurence Olivier, Sir Charlie Chaplin, Bob Geldof David Niven Gilda – Simone Roos Sir Alfred Hitchcock, but also Nicole Victoria Wood Cary Grant Otto – P.J. Schoeny Kidman, who unveiled her Hollywood Peter O'Toole Arthur Lowe Leo – Bradford R. Lund star in 2003. Alan Bates Dirk Bogarde THE PEARL THEATRE COMPANY Ernest – Peter Esposito Edna Everage, one of the star Albert Finney Tony Hancock The full company in a reading of Coward's FAMILY ALBUM at The Pearl Theatre. Miss Hodge – Patti Roeder recipients said it was one of her “favorite Richard Burton Spencer Robinson, Rachel Botchan, Russ Anderson, Carol Schultz, Dan Daily, Robin Mr. Birbeck – Eric Lindhal places in little old London” and that she Ken Branagh Ralph Richardson Leslie Brown, Joanne Camp, Dominic Cuskern, Edward Seaman hoped to be “laid between Michael Caine John Gielgud Photo by Matthew Shane Coleman Grace Torrence – Carry Wickert Ian McKellen Helen Carver – Robyn Acetta and Sean Connery”. Michael Gambon Peter Cook Sir Noël Coward will be amongst the Errol Flynn Benny Hill BOOKS FOR They include: Henry Carver – Scott Strangland first 48 stars to be placed in the famous Paul Eddington Eric Morecambe & The British on Broadway (ISBN 0- Matthew - Larry Johnson NEW YORK? old wholesale vegetable and flower Les Dawson Ernie Wise 9531930-1-2) and A Theatrical Feast in For those UK members travelling to market now the centre of a thriving Thora Hird New York (ISBN 0-7509-3719-X) Sets by Bob Knuth New York it is worth considering what general market noted for its craft stalls, Gracie Fields John Mills Elizabeth’s latest book is a novel Costumes by Elizabeth P. Shaffer pre-reading one might wish to do. cafés, theatre life and buskers. Edith Evans Noel Coward entitled The Best Actress (ISBN 0- Directed by Jim Schneider - Amongst the variety of travelogues, city Others to be included in this first Nigel Hawthorne Stan Laurel 9531930-3-9) ‘...an irresistable feast of (Noël Coward Society member) guides and general background reading Nicole Kidman, unveiling her dedication of what will eventually be a Alicia Markova and food, fabulous people and favourite one might wish to take in the books by © The Sun-Times Company Hollywood star in 2003 remembrance of 100 stars of yesterday Glenda Jackson Leonard Rossiter NCS member Elizabeth Sharland. places...’ Page 10 Page 3 The Newsletter Of The Noël Cow ard Society October 2005 The Newsletter Of The Noël Cow ard Society October 2005 MEMBERSHIP and EARLY IDEAS FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS... COWARD THE NOËL COWARD MUSICALINDEX 2005 has been an excellent year for of us are off to New York on 9th should like to rectify. We should then BIRTHDAY As the NCMI becomes an on-line reality Noël Coward and for the Society. We’ve December for all the festivities there. have more money to expand our Dominic Vlasto brings us some notable extracts from this exciting resource! had the wonderful news about The Noël Our plans for 2006 are also most activities. CELEBRATIONS IN Coward Theatre in the West End and that exciting. Christmas Present about the Bitter Sweet Valse: Dame Judi Dench is going to star in Hay Our irreplaceable North American LONDON “The music returns for the final scene, in which Sari is forced to dance with Fever, directed by Sir Peter Hall next Director – Ken Starrett – has or ganised Please help us by trying to recruit a Saturday 17 December 2005 the abominable Captain August, who then gropes her, and from which she is rescued year. The Society is planning to be fully some highly successful events in the US friend or colleague. Why not ‘gift’ a by Carl who up until this point has been busy conducting the orchestra, glancing involved in these two exciting events and during the year. year’s membership to a friend as a Do join us for the planned Birthday furiously over his shoulder…” we shall keep you posted about the I am sure you would all wish to join Christmas present at the special rate of Celebrations in London on Saturday 17th about Bright Was The Day: arrangements we are making for me in thanking the Editor of this £20 ($28) for 2006 only. Pay by cheque December at the Theatre Royal Drury “The Diaries entry shows clearly that the lyric came first with this song, and members’ participation. magazine - John Knowles - for (UK only) or send credit/debit card Lane and afterwards for our Annual the music later and only after a struggle. It was worth the struggle.” Blithe Spirit had a very good run at producing six editions each year of the details to Stephen Greenman for the UK Lunch at The Ivy restaurant. about Evermore And a Day: The Savoy Theatre and Relative Values highly acclaimed Newsletter and also for and Ken Starrett for the US. For the UK Following the disappointment of “A very underrated song, because largely unknown. It would be nice to hear did extremely well in Salisbury. On the his control of the website. Everything cheques should be made payable to The members of the Society last year at the it attempted by real singers.” NCS front, Celia Cologne arranged an achieved by your Society is done by Noël Coward Society, and sent to Stephen shortness of the flower-laying ceremony about His Excellency Regrets: event for us in the Noël Coward Suite at unpaid volunteers. Greenman. Please send the name and in the foyer at the Theatre Royal, Drury “The song is relatively unknown on account of being a dif ficult piece to the Hampton Hill Playhouse, when With so much on offer, it would be address of the person to whom you wish Lane we plan to provide a ceremony, perform beyond its original context; I have, however , known one performance in a Moira Lister’s dress was presented to so good to recruit more Members. We to send the gift to either Stephen or Ken. with drinks, of at least 30 to 40 minutes British Ambassador’s Residence in the Middle East…” them. We had a successful event in the simply cannot spend our valuable Early in December a Members’ in length that is completely free to about I Travel Alone: West End, viewing the film ‘The resources on advertising and so we do joining pack, together with a Noël members. “…it is an excellent example of a song whose lyric alone, on the page, lacks Scoundrel’, when we welcomed Stephen need your help. If every Member Coward Christmas card will be sent to A major celebrity guest will talk shape and impact, even appears a little trite; but when joined with its melody , it Fry as our Vice President. Geoffrey recruited just one other person, our your friend ‘from you’.Contact details for about their work and reflect on their becomes poetry of a high order.” Skinner is planning a wonderful day for Membership would be very healthy. At Stephen Greenman and Ken Starrett can connection with the life and work of Sir about recordings of I Went To a Marvellous Party: us on 17th December, our AGM, flower- present, we have many less members be found on page 8. Noël Coward. The programme starts at “Bea Lillie’s inimitable added laughs and occasional long drawn-out vowels laying, and lunch at The Ivy and nineteen than the Sondheim Society, which we Barbara Longford 11.45 am. are, on the whole, more sympathetic to the song than NC’ s own breakneck pacing Flowers will be laid on the statue of and over-accentuated interpretation…” ... AND NOËL’S CHRISTMAS CARDS TO GO WITH THEM? Sir Noël by our guest on behalf of the about I Wish I Wasn’t Quite Such a Big Girl: Society and NC Aventales AG (the Noël “…the refrain at least of this song is a neglected treasure.” Each Christmas Noël sent his friends Stephen. Some include quotations and a Coward Estate). This will be followed by about a recording of Poor Little Rich Girl: a card from Les Avants featuring his photograph inside - see card details drinks in the Foyer Bar. “…it comes with a deft and scintillating swing piano accompaniment by greatest invention - himself! NC below each picture. Members and their guests who are Carroll Gibbons of exceptional grace and musical integrity.” Aventales AG (the Noël Coward Estate) Please indicate the number of copies attending the Annual Lunch will leave to about A Ribbon In Her Hair: have given us permission to reprint two of each card you wish to purchase and reconvene at The Ivy Restaurant at 1.00 “The song is so little known and of so little direct relevance to anything else of the best known cards (A & D) plus a send a cheque for the total made out to pm. The cost of the meal including that there would seen little chance of it now emer ging from obscurity; but it would further two designed by Stephen The Noël Coward Society or credit card wine/water is £80 per person. certainly be a deserving contender to be rescued and aired.” Greenman. These unique cards are details to Stephen’s address immediately about The Stingaree: available at a cost of £1 each and may be above this article in column 3. The menu is as follows: “There’s certainly scope for some enterprising musician to include this piece ordered in any amount directly from Cullen Skink in any forthcoming recording of ‘The Unknown Music of Noel Coward’.” D - Coward with paintbrush (classic soup of smoked haddock, leeks about Sweet Day: & potatoes) “Norman Hackforth said: ‘I originally scored ‘Sweet Day’. Vanessa Lee Pot-roast Partridge with would never have sung it in the published key of B flat – she would have been under Savoy cabbage, bread sauce, parsnip the piano!’” chips and a game jus about Tamarisk Town: Mulled Winter Fruits “Though undeniably on the “slight” side, this composition has an with a pear sorbet idiosyncracy of invention which makes it stand out both from NC’ s own other early Full Roast Coffee, Fauchon Teas and work and also from other people’s work of the same period.” Petit Fours about Fumfumbolo: “…one of the Samolan words sung by the chorus, ‘klabonga’, means If you wish to come to either part of the something to do with copulation [ref. Cole Lesley, p.242]. It would be fascinating to Birthday Celebrations please complete have a complete translation of these song lyrics.” the accompanying booking slip and about an Lp recording made by June Bronhill and Dennis Olsen: return it to Geoffrey Skinner : “June Bronhill is, I am afraid, too warbly in her vocal style, and a bit too belting in her delivery, for all contexts; but at its best this Lp, which was mixed with Geoffrey Skinner numbers by Ivor Novello, contains worthwhile interpretations and some notable Samuel French Theatre Bookshop recorded rarities.” 52, Fitzroy Street about the Lp ‘Noel Coward in New York’: London “These are probably the best recordings NC ever made, both in terms of the W1T 5JR quality of recorded sound as well as the timbre, tuning and control of his own voice.”

A - Coward by the lake at Les Avants B - Has a photograph and a quotation inside C- Has the word Noël! inside We look forward to seing you there!

Page 4 Page 9 The Newsletter Of The Noël Cow ard Society October 2005 The Newsletter Of The Noël Cow ard Society October 2005

Feelings’ (1941) is a concise comedy song of pleasing The Noel Coward & Harry Noble recordings phrases, whose three refrains make a nice conceit of the CD MCSR 3030 words ‘white’, ‘blue’ and ‘red’; the central verse section of Conversation Pieces - the Editor on the ‘heritage’ of André Charlot ‘Something To Do With Spring’ (originally sung by John I'LL SEE YOU AGAIN have run longer and Lathom might have Mills in the 1932 revue Words And Music) is a clever and Sung by Noel Coward with Wally Stott and his Orchestra recouped all his investment, but Charlot complex piece of lyric /rhythmic interchange writing, where Norman Hackforth at the piano had, alas, sub-let the theatre and so the the accompaniment dovetails with and occasionally takes show came of, in a grim foreshadowing over the melodic continuity from the singer; and it is hard to 1. A room with a view 3.28 of a debacle which, four years later, set square the effective romantic lyricism of ‘Where Are The 2. Don't put your daughter on the stage, Mrs Worthington 2.09 his career reeling out of control. Songs We Sung?’ with its original setting (in Operette, 3. World weary 2.51 A- Z goes to America in 1923 As if to prove that A to Z, which he 1938), where at the end of the song the boy kisses and holds 4. Alice 3.21 Gertrude Lawrence, André Charlot, Bea Lillie and Jack Buchanan said marked a high point in his life, could the girl in his arms for a moment, before she gives a little 5. Someday I'll find you 2.27 be bettered, in December 1922 Lathom If the price for the popularisation of seen as a theatrical flourish at the end of laugh and disengages herself, saying: “Darling, this is all 6. Mad dogs and Englishmen 2.43 invited Charlot to Davos, Switzerland, history, whatever my problem with the a Music Hall bill. In some theatres in the very silly and the soup’s getting cold!” 7. Poor little rich girl 2.59 where Noël Coward was also his guest at word, is to call it ‘heritage,’ it may be a US it became an extension of burlesque. Noble sings very tunefully and clearly, and for the most 8. Uncle Harry 3.53 the Hotel Belvedere. (In a later memoir, price worth paying by encouraging the More successfully and significantly it part paces the songs well. For two of the earliest - ‘Parisian 9. I'll see you again 3.20 Coward revised the emphasis, claiming Pierrot’ (1922) and ‘Poor Little Rich Girl’ (1925) - Noble Government to put money (even if it is was adapted by Florenz Ziegfeld who that Lathom had “commanded” Charlot's National Lottery money) into history took the ultra-glamorous evocation of the and Ross allow us the rare luxury of two full verse sections WORLD WEARY: The Songs of Noel Coward presence.) The idea was to show Charlot projects and to encourage the genre seen at the ‘Folies Bergere’ (where in addition to well-judged restlessly rhythmic moods in the Sung by Harry Noble with Stuart Ross at the piano what a genius Coward had become. refrains. There is only one moment of poor judgement - a beneficiaries to display the results during Charlot was the manager for a year prior In the hotel's ballroom late one National Heritage Weekend events to coming to London to manage the downwards change of key into the refrain of ‘A Room With 10. Nina 4.51 evening, Coward played and sang across the UK during the nearest 3,000 seat Alahambra music hall) to A View’, which to my mind leaves Harry Noble in an 11. I'll follow my secret heart 4.09 “Parisian Pierrot” and other songs for weekend to the 9th Sept each year. create the famous ‘Follies’ shows that uncomfortably low register for his own voice. 12. Imagine the duchess's feelings 2.44 the first time in public. This was pleasing For those living outside the UK I dominated Broadway from 1907 It felt like a great honour to be asked to write the sleeve 13. Poor little rich girl 4.52 to Charlot, who tried never to put a song should pause and explain that this annual onwards. It was but a small jump to take notes for this CD, and its production has been very much 14. Something to do with spring 2.24 in any show unless he had heard it historical bash provides a chance for this successful mix of music and helped and encouraged by support from NCS and the 15. Parisian pierrot 4.03 performed by its composer. He later every stately home, museum and local sketches, add a ‘book,’ and produce what Coward Estate (a BIG thank-you to Graham Payn!). It 16. Where are the songs we sung? 2.52 wrote that Coward had “persuaded me of history society worth its salt, plus became the Broadway Musical. would make an excellent Christmas present for members to 17. A room with a view 3.28 his greatness.” He was not quite so hundreds of Lottery funded heritage The book gives further credence to give to all their nearest and dearest, and I hope that you will 18. World weary 3.19 effusive about Coward's sketches - which all rush out and buy multiple copies of it! projects, to dust off their artefacts and claims of Charlot’s ‘discovery’ of Noël he did not allow the author to r ead to To contact: Adrian Wright at MCSR please write to: Must Close Saturday Records put on a show! Coward, Bea Lillie, Gertrude Lawrence, him. Reading them over in his room, he 56 The Street, Poringland, Norwich, Norfolk, NR14 7JT, UK For me this year it meant another Jack Buchanan and Jessie Matthews and quite liked the “telephone sketch” (this or email to: [email protected] or ring 01508 494371 visit to Lathom, Lancashire to share describes involvement in the early career was later “Early Mourning,” a tour de or buy on-line at: http://www.must-close-saturday-records.co.uk research about Lord Ned Lathom and his of Gladys Cooper – all of which was force performed by Gertrude Lawrence) To be sure of your discount please state that you are a member of the Society when placing your order . relationship with Noël Coward, Ivor financed by Ned Lathom’s money. but thought the rest “stank to high Novello, Gertie Lawrence and Gladys Coward’s first participation in revue heaven.” NOËL COWARD WHAT A SITE! Cooper - and to enjoy a day out at proper was in Charlot’s London Calling What happened the day after The Noël Coward Society website Pilkington’s Glass Laboratories where which followed his first major success Coward's “audition” is recalled quite membership BIRTHDAY WALK progresses and sees two major the whole of West Lancashire seemed to A to Z, a revue so named because it had differently by its major players. Charlot For all UK membership matters developments in the run-up to Christmas. have turned out determined to meet the 26 parts. The book takes us from this claimed that he had told Coward he please contact: IN TEDDINGTON The long awaited NCMI will appear in experts and dig at their ancestral roots! success to London Calling: wanted to use some of his material but Stephen Greenman at: Friday 16 December 2005 full (access free to members) and new In preparation for this indulgence I “Meeting at Lathom's country house added a suggestion that Noël do what The Noël Coward Society development software means that the read a new book that was finally in Lancashire, Charlot and Lathom George M. Cohan did - write, produce, 64 Morant Street The Hampton Hill Theatre at website will be able to enhance the published in August after the sad death decided that the A - Z would be written and star in a whole show of his own. London Teddington will be holding its annual quality of its archive offerings with more of its author James Ross Moore. It is by three emerging writing stars: Ivor Here, wrote Charlot later, “Coward E14 8EL Noël Coward Birthday Walk on Friday video clips, pictures and information entitled André Charlot – the Genius of Novello, Ronald Jeans and the Australian revealed his lack of confidence - no use 16th December, 10.30am for 10.45am. about The Master. Intimate Musical Revue (McFarland & Dion Titheradge. As the revue's arguing, he must have some help.” So, email: The walk is 2.3 miles long and takes In addition we are negotiating to Co - ISBN0-7864-1774-9). preparation proceeded apace, Charlot according to Charlot, it was Coward's [email protected] the route to Noël’s birthplace in provide some short audio clips from It is the first detailed biography of learned that Lathom “wanted everything idea to collaborate. Waldegrave Road and into the High previously unheard private recordings. Charlot to have been written and is on an impossibly magnificent scale.” The Coward eventually contradicted this For North American membership Street to the Landmark Arts Centre (St. As part of next year ’s membership we based on the collection of personal gowns, the first London effort of Jean interpretation. He recalled that Charlot please contact: Alban’s Church) - where Noël’s mother are looking at the possibility of providing papers and memorabilia carefully Patou, another of Charlot's importations, was “expansive and benign” and that “a Ken Starrett at: Violet Veitch met his father Athur a free DVD on Coward to members that cherished by his daughter, Joan Charlot cost £10 apiece, a staggering figure for series of cigar-laden conferences” 49 West 68th Street Coward during choir rehearsals! will contain edited extracts from Midwinter (from Pacific Palisades, the time. Charlot tried - or swore that he followed. He worked on the sketches in Apartment 1R Then on to Bushy Park and to the Coward’s own home movies linked by California) for four decades in the belief tried - to put the brakes on Lathom's the morning and submitted them to New York Hampton Hill Playhouse for a commentary to reveal more about that someday a biographer would come spending, but to little avail. As it turned Lathom and Charlot in the afternoons. NY 10023 complimentary glass of sherry. Coward’s associates and his travels across along - thank goodness he did! out, A to Z was a major artistic success, Within a few days the whole show was This is a free walking tour provided the globe. We have tracked down a copy Charlot was arguably the creator of running 52 weeks. Although it never roughly laid out. Thus was born ‘London email: by NCS member Graham Sawyer who of the original details of the Home the British, and perhaps the American, recouped its investment (Lathom lost Calling’ (its title the daily coming-on-air [email protected] has been arranging and conducting these Movies revealing some of the names of Revue. A theatrical form that grew from £15,000), his Lordship said it had been announcement on the BBC).” tours for several years. Why not turn up those that feature on film. More on this as French revue (meaning literally; worth It - he had got twice that value in and join him? the project develops... magazine) and was, at least in the UK, the fun he had. In fact, the show could John Knowles

Page 8 Page 5 The Newsletter Of The Noël Cow ard Society October 2005 The Newsletter Of The Noël Cow ard Society October 2005 A letter and unpublished Poem by Noël Coward I’ll See You Again and World Weary provided by Barry Day who is currently STOPOVER Coward’s last British recordings and editing a book of Sir Noël Cow ard’s letters the songs of Coward sung by Harry Noble During the war Noël traveled many thousands of miles Thanks for all the work you did over the `Portrait’. Do try At the discounted price of £8.99 for NCS members giving troop concerts, visiting war zones ... Australia, New to send an occasional line to us - you know , even a comic Zealand, the Middle East, South Africa, Burma - not to postcard from Sarfend (Southend) -’Wish you were here’ mention the then neutral USA. Wherever he went, making would be better than nothing. The long-awaited release of this CD African audiences were speeches and “singing my little songs”, he carried the news sponsored by the Noël Coward Estate, the first to hear the of how those at home were fighting on the home front. A cool Christmas in Fiji - only 85° as I write at noon - sitting members of the Society and friends and songs ‘Uncle Harry’ On the way home from Australasia in March 1941 he in the same chair you did and can look up and see your old their families takes place on October 1st, and ‘Nina’, and the first made what was intended as a brief stopover at Canton Island photo on the wall - as you did - r emember???” 2005. To obtain your discounted copy recordings of these in the Pacific. It was a tiny rocky atoll that was the only point please contact Adrian Wright whose songs were made with for the Pan-American clipper to break its journey and refuel By this time Frank was dying of tuberculosis but his family contact details can be found at the end of Norman Hackforth a and in Future Indefinite Noël describes how what was remember that Noël went out of his way on a South Seas trip he this article. month or two later in intended as a short and welcome break was forcibly extended made with Graham and Coley to visit him at Tumavua Hospital. Thanks go to John Knowles who first Calcutta. over several days by bad weather. In his diary Frank records that they enjoyed a “freeranging suggested producing the CD after he And in 1951 it He was immediately struck by the contrast between conversation that lasted hours and covered a great many topics”. accidentally found the original recordings was Norman Hackforth, American and British lifestyle expectations. The two main A photograph (now lost) was taken of the two of them standing and who worked to secure sponsorship then accompanying buildings on the island were a typical American luxury hotel . outside the front door of the hospital to commemorate the for the project. To Adrian Wright of Must Beatrice Lillie in . . “run by a young American couple called Jack and Lordee occasion. Close Saturday Records for his consistent cabaret at the Café de Angela Morley, was subsequently to Bramham” and, a hundred or so yards away, the British During his stay on Canton Island, Noël - never one to be commitment to the project, ensuring the Paris, who negotiated Coward’s first make a notable career as composer and Residency, occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fleming. Frank creatively idle - busied himself writing verse. In his Collected highest quality sound restoration and engagement there that autumn. It was arranger for film and television in “had built the house ... virtually with his own hands. He Verse are examples such as “Canton Island”, “Onward, Christian record production and for producing the immediately apparent that Coward’s solo America. Anyone conversant with the raised the Union Jack solemnly every morning and lowered it Soldiers”, “Open Letter to a Mayor” and “Sonnet to a Hermit CD at such an amazingly low price. This performances of his own songs set a Las Vegas recordings may find some of every night.” Crab.” low price plus the discount to members standard which few artists could hope to these 1954 tracks sounding vaguely Noël was upset to see that the only photograph of the But there was one more personal message that went was only made possible through the rival - though there was some criticism familiar: It becomes clear that significant King and Queen they had in the residence was “a framed unpublished. It was in the form of a thank you letter to his hosts, generous sponsorship provided by the of his vocal expertise. One reviewer elements of Stott’s arrangements were re- reproduction from The Illustrated London News, which was the Bramhams - Noël Coward Estate and the opined that he “massacred” his own used by Peter Matz, something buckled, because the rain-water got into the frame during the encouragement and enthusiasm shown by songs, to which Coward replied that, if particularly noticeable in the more lyrical last cyclone.” He undertook to obtain a better one for them BREAD AND BUTTER LETTER (March 16th 1941) Alan Brodie of Alan Brodie this was true, “it was the most numbers such as ‘A Room With a View’ on his return to London and did so by asking the Queen Dear Lordee, Dear Jack, How delightful it’s been Representation. Lastly very special triumphantly efficient massacre since and ‘World Weary’. Hackforth’s piano personally. The photo was duly sent but Noël added in Future To have stayed in this lovely hotel. thanks to Dominic Vlasto whose Saint Bartholomew’s Eve.” accompaniment is often allowed to take Indefinite - “I don’t know if they ever received it.” The food was delicious. God, what a ‘cuisine’! comprehensive recording notes provide a These recordings - the last Coward over, including for large sections of the He later used the Flemings in a short story called “Mr . (The drink was delicious as well.) fascinating and detailed journey through ever undertook in the UK - were made in comedy songs ‘Mrs Worthington’ and and Mrs. Edghill” and he never forgot them. Nor they him. The beds were so soft and the weather so fine, Noël Coward’s career in the early 1950s 1954, just after After The Ball and not ‘Mad Dogs’, and for the entire central Years later Frank Fleming wrote to him to reassure him The water so fresh in the showers, and reveal the hard won results of Alan long before the fourth Café de Paris verse sections of the songs ‘Poor Little on that score .. . The service indeed was completely divine. Farley and Dominic’s research into the season, and it is no surprise to find that Rich Girl’ and ‘A Room With a View’. I could go on about it for hours. largely forgotten world of Harry Noble. Norman Hackforth is there as In ‘I’ll See You Again’ (from Bitter “I wish you to know that Lucy and I think and talk of you And as for those wonderful movies we saw accompanist, though this was never Sweet), the whole verse section - the frequently - that your photograph is peering down at me (You didn’t because you were busy Dominic Vlasto introduces this exciting acknowledged on the original LP. “duet” between teacher and pupil - now as I write this ... we ar e naive enough to imagine you Remember you left us just outside the door , new Coward compilation: Indeed, it is doubtful whether this LP becomes a vocal/piano duet. may sometimes give us a thought.” Complaining you felt a bit dizzy?) This CD is a sort of Golden Jubilee made much impact at all; perhaps it was Meanwhile, at almost exactly the And as for the time when the plane was delayed, celebration of the immediate post-war a bit slow in coming out and then same time in New York, the singer/actor And in 1963 from Suva, Fiji, where they were now living ... What fun we all had with the Flight-Crew. decade, a time when Coward’s output of suffered in competition with the Harry Noble, with his accompanist Stuart I’m glad that they only drank iced lemonade. new dramatic work seemed to lose following year’s release of the LP made Ross, was the first artist other than “The Portrait arrived ... we have acknowledged it, as you For Clippers can’t fly with a tight crew. popular appeal, and when his polymathic from the Las Vegas performances, failing Coward himself to attempt an entire LP advised ... with what we hope is a corr ect and seemly I’ll always look back on those halcyon days talents led to his emergence, “to my own to compete with the vigour and vim of of Coward songs. For some years Noble letter of thanks but, confidentially, I found it necessary to And a sigh of regret I shall utter and everyone else’s astonishment”, as a live audience reaction, increased tempi was half of a vaudeville team with put a brake on on my long cherished desir e to say When I think of the many and various ways highly successful cabaret entertainer. and more “zappy” arrangements. It is Frances King, who later married the something which would not, perhaps, be quite correct. You managed to flavour the butter! This element of his formidable certainly true that the tracks remained well-known composer-lyricist Sam Dear Lordee, Dear Jack, when I get to New York achievements had been honed and tested unknown and unacknowledged, even to Coslow and retired. Noble and King had You see, many years ago, I was one of a small body of I’ll discuss the whole thing with Ward Morehouse, during the war years when he undertook specialists in the field, until extremely ‘Returned Sailors and Soldiers’, as we were called, who played the top hotels in London, New For the Waldorf, in spite of the way people talk, countless troop concerts, for many of recently. York, Florida and elsewhere, and in the formed a guard of honour on the jetty when she arrived. which he was accompanied by Norman Here we hear Coward at an As the Duchess (of York, as she then was) passed me, I Compared with this place is a whorehouse. early 1950s were part of the regular cast Hackforth. During 1944 they undertook interesting stage, with the polish of three caught the full glance of her beautiful eyes and have been So thank you, dear Lordee, and thank you, dear Jack of Tony Hancock’s radio shows Happy her devoted admirer ever since. (This is what I was With my head and my heart and soul. a marathon series of fund-raising seasons performing at the Café under his Go Lucky tempted to say but dared not.) This is but ‘Au Revoir ’, for I’m bound to come back. concerts in South Africa, followed by belt, and with the comfort of his most It is clear that Noble knew the some weeks of troop concerts in Burma, experienced accompanist, but with new Coward repertoire better than most. He I have felt the urge to write to you sometimes since you Your affectionate ‘stop over’ - Noël Assam and Ceylon, through the thick of orchestrations, this time by Wally Stott, includes three songs in particular which were here but - for one thing - I knew you wer e more- the monsoon and sometimes almost musical director of the newly-launched do not often feature in Coward than-usually busy at that time ... under fire near the front line. South Philips Records company. Stott, as compilations: ‘Imagine The Duchess’s

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