The Coward Room is a rich repository of theatre history and an illuminating place to explore the range of Coward's artistry and influence.

 

A Gateway to the World of Noël Coward​

​Located in central London, the Noël Coward Room is dedicated to the life and work of Noël Coward. It provides a space where anyone wishing to explore Coward's world, either as a theatre professional, musician, researcher, student or enthusiast, can spend time exploring rare items we hold. The room features a colourful wall display of production artwork, rare film footage from Coward's own home movie collections available for viewing, hundreds of photographs from Noël Coward's professional and personal worlds, and a vast collection of letters, many from stars and notable personalities of the day.

The Coward Room is a rich repository of theatre history, and also an informative and illuminating place to explore the range of Coward's artistry and influence outside the theatre, including his work as a songwriter, painter, cabaret artist and social campaigner.

 What Visitors Say

“So many valuable insights for my thesis due to my research at the Noël Coward Room. Working with the letters and photographical material was an incomparable experience”

—  Iris Foster, PHD student

“As the keeper of The Gene Kelly Archives, I found it thrilling to dip into the materials in the Noël  Coward Room - not only because of Gene's deep fondness for Coward but because of the importance of preserving these priceless gems of photographs, letters and manuscripts for generations to come. To leaf through just one archival box is to take a breath-taking journey into the past and, remarkably, into the future”

—  Patricia Ward Kelly, widow of Gene Kelly
and founder of 'Gene Kelly, The Legacy'

“It was honestly a privilege to share all of those treasures. Practically every item a gem in its own right. Really quite overwhelming, knowing that there’s so much more in all the drawers and boxes. I felt like a child in a sweetshop!”

— Peter McIntosh, Theatre Designer

“The research materials you provided will prove invaluable for years to come in our continuing work on The Master. The data is beautifully organised and easy to follow. Researchers of any age or discipline will find it simple to access these archives.”

— Charles Tuthill
Executive Director of The Actor’s Centre, New York

 

VISITOR’S FORM

To arrange a visit to the Noël Coward Room please fill in the form below and we will be in touch.

The Coward Room is currently open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 11 and 5.

Please note, at busy times it can take up to two weeks to respond to visit requests and research enquiries.