About Noël Coward
Noël Peirce Coward was born in 1899 and made his professional stage debut as Prince Mussel in The Goldfish at the age of 12, leading to many child actor appearances over the next few years. His breakthrough in playwriting was the controversial The Vortex (1924) which featured themes of drugs and adultery and made his name as both actor and playwright in the West End and on Broadway. During the frenzied 1920s and the more sedate 1930s, Coward wrote a string of successful plays, musicals and intimate revues including Fallen Angels (1925), Hay Fever (1925), Easy Virtue (1926), This Year of Grace (1928), and Bitter Sweet (1929). His professional partnership with childhood friend Gertrude Lawrence, started with Private Lives (1931), and continued with Tonight at 8.30 (1936).
During World War II, he remained a successful playwright, screenwriter and director, as well as entertaining the troops and even acting as an unofficial spy for the Foreign Office. His plays during these years included Blithe Spirit which ran for 1997 performances, outlasting the War (a West End record until The Mousetrap overtook it), This Happy Breed and Present Laughter (both 1943). His two wartime screenplays, In Which We Serve, which he co-directed with the young David Lean, and Brief Encounter quickly became classics of British cinema.
However, the post-war years were more difficult. Austerity Britain – the London critics determined – was out of tune with the brittle Coward wit. In response, Coward re-invented himself as a cabaret and TV star, particularly in America, and in 1955 he played a sell-out season in Las Vegas featuring many of his most famous songs, including Mad About the Boy, I’ll See You Again and Mad Dogs and Englishmen. In the mid-1950s he settled in Jamaica and Switzerland, and enjoyed a renaissance in the early 1960s becoming the first living playwright to be performed by the National Theatre, when he directed Hay Fever there. Late in his career he was lauded for his roles in a number of films including Our Man In Havana (1959) and his role as the iconic Mr. Bridger alongside Michael Caine in The Italian Job (1968).
Writer, actor, director, film producer, painter, songwriter, cabaret artist as well as an author of a novel, verse, essays and autobiographies, he was called by close friends ‘The Master’. His final West End appearance was Song at Twilight in 1966, which he wrote and starred in. He was knighted in 1970 and died peacefully in 1973 in his beloved Jamaica.
“1899
16 December, Noël Peirce Coward is born in Teddington, Middlesex. He is the eldest surviving son of Arthur and Violet.”
“1907
Coward’s first public appearances in school and community concerts.”
“1908
Coward and his family move to Battersea and take in lodgers.”
“1911
Coward’s first professional appearance as Prince Mussel in ‘The Goldfish’ at the Little Theatre. Revived in same year at Crystal Palace and Royal Court Theatre.”
“1911
Coward plays Cannard, the page-boy, in ‘The Great Name’ at the Prince of Wales Theatre.”
“1911
Coward plays William in ‘Where the Rainbow Ends’ with Charles Hawtrey’s company at the Savoy Theatre.”
“1912
Coward directs ‘The Daisy Chain’ and stage-manages ‘The Prince’s Bride’ at the Savoy Theatre in a series of matinees featuring the work of the ‘Rainbow’ cast.”
“1912
Coward plays Mushroom in ‘An Autumn Idyll’ ballet at the Savoy Theatre.”
“1913
Coward plays an angel (Gertrude Lawrence is another) in Basil Dean’s production of ‘Hannele’.”
“1913
Coward plays Slightly in ‘Peter Pan’ at the Duke of York’s Theatre.”
“1914
Coward tours in ‘Peter Pan’. He also collaborates with fellow performer Esmé Wynne on songs, sketches, and short stories: ‘beastly little whimsies’.”
“1916
Coward’s first public appearances in school and community concerts.”
“1916
Coward is given walk-on parts in ‘The Best of Luck’ at the Drury Lane Theatre.”
“1916
Coward performs as Basil Pycroft in ‘The Light Blues’, produced by Robert Courtneidge. He is alsoa dancer at Elysee Restaurant (subsequently the Café de Paris).”
“1916
Coward plays Jack Morrison in ‘The Happy Family’, Prince of Wales and his writes first full-length song, ‘Forbidden Fruit’.”
“1917
Coward appears as ‘Boy pushing barrow’ in D.W. Griffith’s film ‘Hearts of the World’.”
“1917
Coward co-writes one-act play ‘lda Collaborates’ with Esmé Wynne, which is performed at Theatre Royal, Aldershot.”
“1917
Coward plays Ripley Guildford in ‘The Saving Grace’, with Charles Hawtrey. Coward’s family move to Pimlico and re-open a boarding house.”
“1918
Coward is called up for the army, but is medically discharged after nine months. He also writes unpublished novels ‘Cats and Dogs’ and ‘Cherry Pan’.”
“1918
Coward writes lyrics for ‘Darewski and Joel’, including ‘Peter Pan’. He also composes ‘Tamarisk Town’ and sells short stories to magazines.”
“1918
Coward writes plays ‘The Rat Trap’, ‘The Last Trick’ (unproduced) and ‘The Impossible Wife’ (unproduced).”
“1918
Coward plays Courtenay Borner in ‘Scandal’ at the Strand, London. His play ‘Woman and Whiskey’ (co-author Esmé Wynne) is also produced at Wimbledon Theatre.”
“1919
Coward plays Ralph in ‘The Knight of the Burning Pestle’, Birmingham Repertory.”
“1919
Coward collaborates on ‘Crissa’, an opera, with Esmé Wynne and Max Darewski (unproduced).”
“1920
Coward writes and plays Bobbie Dermon in ‘I’ll Leave It to You’, New Theatre, London.”
“1920
Coward meets Gladys Calthrop for the first time, while on holiday in Alassio. Coward also plays Clay Collins in American farce ‘Polly with a Past’.”
“1920
Coward visits New York, and sells parts of ‘A Withered Nosegay’ to Vanity Fair, as well as a short-story adaptation of ‘I’ll Leave It to You’ to Metropolitan.”
“1920
Coward is a house-guest of Laurette Taylor and Hartley Manners, whose family rows inspire the Bliss household in ‘Hay Fever’.”
“1922
Coward’s sketch ‘Bottles and Bones’ is produced in benefit for Newspaper Press Fund, Drury Lane.”
“1922
Coward’s play ‘The Better Half’ is produced in the ‘grand guignol’ season, Little Theatre.”
“1922
Coward starts work on songs and sketches for ‘London Calling!’ and adapts Louis Verneuil’s ‘Pour avoir Adrienne’ (unproduced).”
“1923
Coward plays Sholto Brent in ‘The Young Idea’ at the Savoy and the juvenile lead in a musical review for which he wrote book, music and lyrics:’London Calling!’”
“1924
Coward writes, directs and stars as Nicky Lancaster in ‘The Vortex’, produced at the Everyman by Norman MacDermott, which then transfers to the Royalty Theatre.”
“1925
Coward becomes established as a social and theatrical celebrity. ‘The Vortex’ moves to the Comedy Theatre.”
“1925
Coward writes ‘On With the Dance’ (a musical revue), with a London opening in the spring followed by ‘Fallen Angels’ and ‘Hay Fever’.”
“1925
’Hay Fever’ and ‘Easy Virtue’ are produced in New York. Coward writes silent screen titles for Gainsborough Films.”
“1926
Coward’s plays ‘Easy Virtue’, ‘The Queen Was in the Parlour’ and ‘The Rat Trap’ are produced in London.”
“1926
Coward plays Lewis Dodd in ‘The Constant Nymph’, directed by Basil Dean. He also writes plays ‘Semi-Monde’ and ‘The Marquise’.”
“1926
Coward tours USA in ‘The Vortex’. ‘This Was a Man’ is refused a licence by Lord Chamberlain in the UK but is produced in New York, Berlin and Paris.”
“1926
Coward buys Goldenhurst Farm, Kent, as his country home. He also sails for Hong Kong on holiday but his trip halted in Honolulu due to a nervous breakdown.”
“1927
Coward’s plays ‘The Marquise’ & ‘Sirroco’ are on in London. ‘The Marquise’ & ‘Fallen Angels’ are produced in New York. He also finishes writing ‘Home Chat’.”
“1928
Coward plays Clark Storey in S. N. Behrman’s ‘The Second Man’, directed by Dean.”
“1928
Gainsborough Films productions of ‘The Queen Was in the Parlour’, ‘The Vortex’ (starring Ivor Novello), and ‘Easy Virtue’ (dir. Alfred Hitchcock) are released.”
“1928
‘This Year of Grace!’ is produced in London and, with Coward directing and in the cast, New York. First recording is made featuring numbers from this show.”
“1929
Coward plays in ‘This Year of Grace!’ (USA) until spring, and writes and directs ‘Bitter-Sweet’ in London & New York. Sets off on travels to the Far East.”
“1930
Coward writes ‘Private Lives’ and song ‘Mad Dogs and Englishmen’ on his travels, the latter on the road from Hanoi to Saigon.”
“1930
In Singapore Coward joins the Quaints, company of strolling English players, and plays Stanhope for three performances of ‘Journey’s End’.”
“1930
Coward writes ‘Post-Mortem’ on his voyage home, which is “similar to my performance as Stanhope: confused, under-rehearsed and hysterical”.”
“1930
Coward directs and plays Elyot Chase in ‘Private Lives’, London, alongside Gertrude Lawrence, Laurence Olivier and Adrianne Allen.”
“1931
Coward plays Elyot in New York production of ‘Private Lives’. Writes & directs ‘Cavalcade’ in London. Film of ‘Private Lives’ is produced by MGM.”
“1931
Coward sets off on trip to South America.”
“1932
Coward writes ‘Design for Living’ on his travels . Writes material for new revue including songs ‘Mad about the Boy’, and ‘The Party’s Over Now’.”
“1932
Coward’s revue is produced in London as ‘Words and Music’, with book, music, and lyrics exclusively by Coward and directed by him.”
“1932
The short-lived Noël Coward Company, an independent company which enjoys his support, tours UK with ‘Private Lives’, ‘Hay Fever’, ‘Fallen Angels’ & ‘The Vortex’”
“1933
Coward directs ‘Design for Living’ in New York & plays Leo. Films of ‘Cavalcade’, which wins the Best Picture Oscar, ‘Tonight Is Ours’ & ‘Bitter-Sweet’ released”
“1933
Coward directs London revival of ‘Hay Fever’. Writes ‘Conversation Piece’ as vehicle for Yvonne Printemps and hit song ‘Mrs. Worthington’.”
“1934
Coward directs ‘Conversation Piece’ in London and plays Paul. He cuts links with C. Cochran & forms his own management, partnering with John Wilson & the Lunts.”
“1934
Coward is appointed President of the Actors’ Orphanage, in which he invests great personal commitment until resignation in 1956.”
“1934
Coward directs Kaufman and Ferber’s ‘Theatre Royal’ at the Lyric and ‘Behrman’s Biography’, at the Globe.”
“1934
Coward starts writing his autobiography: ‘Present Indicative’. Film of ‘Design for Living’ is released in London.’ Conversation Piece’ opens in New York.”
“1935
Coward writes and directs ‘Point Valaine’ in New York and plays lead in film ‘The Scoundrel’ (Astoria Studios, New York).”
“1936
Coward writes, directs and plays in ‘Tonight at 8.30’ (9 short plays in which he & Gertrude Lawrence star) Phoenix, London & National Theatre, New York.”
“1936
Coward directs ‘Mademoiselle’ by Jacques Deval, Wyndham’s.”
“1937
Coward plays in ‘Tonight at 8.30’, New York, until his second breakdown in health in March.”
“1937
Coward directs (and subsequently disowns) Gerald Savory’s ‘George and Margaret’, New York. ‘Present Indicative’ is published in London and New York.”
“1938
Coward writes and directs ‘Operette’ in London with hit song ‘The Stately Homes of England’.”
“1938
Coward is appointed adviser to newly-formed Royal Naval Film Corporation. ‘Words and Music’ is revised for American production as ‘Set to Music’”
“1939
Coward directed the New York production of ‘Set to Music’. He also visits Soviet Union and Scandinavia.”
“1939
Coward writes ‘Present Laughter’ and ‘This Happy Breed’; rehearsals are stopped by declaration of war. Writes for revue ‘All Clear’, London.”
“1939
Coward is appointed to head Bureau of Propaganda in Paris to liaise with French Ministry of Information.”
“1939
Coward performs in troop concert in Arras with Maurice Chevalier. ‘To Step Aside’ (short story collection) is published.”
“1940
Coward visits USA to report on American isolationism and attitudes to war in Europe. His return to Paris is prevented by German invasion.”
“1940
Coward returns to USA to do propaganda work for Ministry of Information.”
“1940
Coward goes on propaganda tour of Australia and New Zealand and fund-raising for war charities. Writes play ‘Time Remembered’ (unproduced).”
“1941
Press attacks on Coward mount in UK due to his time spent ‘avoiding danger’ on Home Front. Coward is, in fact, working on behalf of the British government.”
“1941
Coward writes ‘Blithe Spirit’, which is produced in London (with Coward directing) and New York. MGM film of ‘Bitter-Sweet’ is released, London.”
“1941
Coward writes songs including ‘London Pride’, ‘Could You Please Oblige Us with a Bren Gun?’ and ‘Imagine the Duchess’s Feelings’.”
“1942
Coward writes, produces & directs ‘In Which We Serve’ with David Lean & appears as Captain Kinross. It is “an accurate & sincere tribute to the Royal Navy”.”
“1942
The MGM film of We Were Dancing is released.”
“1942
Coward plays in countrywide tour of ‘Blithe Spirit’, ‘Present Laughter’ and ‘This Happy Breed’ and gives hospital and factory concerts.”
“1943
’In Which We Serve’ wins Coward an Honorary Academy Award for Outstanding Production Achievement.”
“1943
Coward plays Garry Essendine in London production of ‘Present Laughter’ and Frank Gibbons in ‘This Happy Breed’. Produces film of ‘This Happy Breed’.”
“1943
Coward writes ‘Don’t Let’s Be Beastly to the Germans’, first sung on BBC Radio (then banned on grounds of lines “that Goebbels might twist”).”
“1943
Coward goes on four-month tour of Middle East to entertain the troops.”
“1944
Coward tours South Africa, Burma, India and Ceylon (Feb-Sep). Troop concerts in France and ‘Stage Door Canteen Concert’ in London.”
“1945
Coward writes screenplay of ‘Still Life’, as ‘Brief Encounter’. Middle East Diary, an account of his 1943 tour is published in London and New York.”
“1945
The film adaptation of ‘This Happy Breed‘ by David Lean, Anthony Havelock-Allan and Ronald Neame is showcased in London.”
“1945
Coward completes ‘Sigh No More’ with hit song ‘Matelot’, which is produced in London. Starts work on ‘Pacific 1860’. Film of ‘Brief Encounter’ is released.”
“1946
Writes and directs ‘Pacific 1860’ in London.”
“1947
Coward plays Garry Essendine in London revival of ‘Present Laughter’. Supervises production of ‘Peace in Our Time’. ‘Point Valaine’ produced in London.”
“1947
Coward directs American revival of ‘Tonight at 8.30’.”
“1948
Coward replaces Graham Payn briefly in American tour of ‘Tonight at 8.30’, his last stage appearance with Gertrude Lawrence.”
“1948
Coward plays Max Aramont in ‘Joyeux Chagrins’ (French production of ‘Present Laughter’). He also builds a house at Blue Harbour, Jamaica.”
“1949
Coward writes screenplay and stars as Christian Faber in film of ‘The Astonished Heart’.”
“1949
Coward writes ‘Ace of Clubs’ and ‘Home and Colonial’ (produced as ‘Island Fling’ in USA and ‘South Sea Bubble’ in UK).”
“1950
Coward writes and directs ‘Ace of Clubs’ in London. He also writes ‘Star Quality’ (short stories).”
“1951
Deaths of Ivor Novello and C. B. Cochran. Coward’s paintings included in charity exhibition in London. Writes and directs ‘Quadrille’.”
“1951
Coward performs one-night concert at Theatre Royal followed by a season at Café de Paris, which marks the start of his new career as leading cabaret entertainer.”
“1951
Coward writes & directs ‘Relative Values’ in London, which restores his reputation as a playwright after run of post-war flops. ‘Island Fling’ is produced in US”
“1952
Coward performs as part of charity cabaret with Mary Martin at Café de Paris for Actors’ Orphanage & June cabaret season at Café de Paris.”
“1952
Coward directs ‘Quadrille’ in London, starring Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt.”
“1952
‘Red Peppers’, ‘Fumed Oak’ & ‘Ways and Means’ (from ‘Tonight’ at 8.30) are filmed as ‘Meet Me Tonight’.”
“1952
Death of Gertrude Lawrence in September: “no one I have ever known, however brilliant ... has contributed quite what she contributed to my work”.”
“1953
Coward completes second volume of autobiography: ‘Future Indefinite’. Coward plays King Magnus in Shaw’s ‘The Apple Cart’.”
“1953
Coward performs in cabaret at Café de Paris, again “a triumphant success”. He also writes ‘After the Ball’.”
“1953
Coward’s mother, Violet dies in July. ‘After the Ball’ is produced in the UK.”
“1954
Coward performs in cabaret season at Café de Paris (Sept). November marks the Royal Command Performance, London Palladium. Coward writes ‘Nude With Violin’.”
“1955
Coward opens in cabaret for season at Desert Inn, Las Vegas (June), and enjoys “one of the most sensational successes of my career”.”
“1955
Coward plays Hesketh-Baggott in film of ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’, for which he writes own dialogue.”
“1955
Coward directs and appears with Mary Martin in a live television spectacular: ‘Together with Music’ for CBS, New York.”
“1956
Coward plays Charles Condomine in television production of ‘Blithe Spirit’ for CBS, Hollywood. ‘South Sea Bubble’ is also produced in London.”
“1956
For tax reasons, Coward takes up Bermuda residency. He also resigns from presidency of the Actors’ Orphanage.”
“1956
Coward directs and plays part of Frank Gibbons in television production of ‘This Happy Breed’ for CBS, New York. Writes ‘Volcano’ (not produced in his lifetime).”
“1956
Coward co-directs ‘Nude With Violin’ with John Gielgud (Eire and UK), which opens to press attacks on Coward’s decision to live abroad.”
“1957
Coward directs and plays Sebastien in ‘Nude With Violin’ in New York.”
“1958
Coward plays Garry Essendine in ‘Present Laughter’ alternating with ‘Nude With Violin’ on US West Coast tour.”
“1958
Coward writes ballet, ‘London Morning’ for London Festival Ballet.”
“1959
‘Look After Lulu!’ is produced in New York and by English Stage Company at Royal Court in London. ‘London Morning’ is produced by London Festival Ballet”
“1959
Coward films roles of Hawthorne in ‘Our Man in Havana’ and ex-King of Anatolia in ‘Surprise Package’. He also sells home in Bermuda and takes up Swiss residency”
“1960
Coward writes ‘Waiting in the Wings’, produced in Eire and UK (Duke of York’s, London). ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ (novel) is published in London and New York.”
“1961
Coward writes and directs American production of ‘Sail Away’ starring Elaine Stritch. ‘Waiting in the Wings’ is published in New York.”
“1962
‘Sail Away’ is produced at the Savoy Theatre in London.”
“1963
Coward writes music and lyrics for ‘The Girl Who Came to Supper’ (adaptation of Rattigan’s ‘The Sleeping Prince’) – produced, USA.”
“1963
‘Private Lives’ is revived at Hampstead, which signals a renewal of interest in Coward’s work in the UK.”
“1964
Coward supervises production of ‘High Spirits’, musical adaptation of ‘Blithe Spirit’ at the Savoy.”
“1964
Coward introduces Granada TV’s ‘A Choice of Coward’ series, which includes ‘Present Laughter’, ‘Blithe Spirit’, ‘The Vortex’ and ‘Design for Living’.”
“1964
Coward directs ‘Hay Fever’ for the National Theatre – the first living playwright to direct his own work there. ‘Pretty Polly Barlow’ (short story) is published.”
“1965
Coward plays the landlord in film ‘Bunny Lake is Missing’. Coward is badly weakened by attack of amoebic dysentery contracted in Seychelles.”
“1966
Coward writes and stars in ‘Suite in Three Keys’ at the Queen’s Theatre London, which taxes his health further.”
“1967
Coward plays Caesar in TV musical version of ‘Androcles and the Lion’ (score by Richard Rodgers), New York.”
“1967
Coward plays Witch of Capri in film ‘Boom’, adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ play ‘The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Any More’.”
“1967
Lorn Loraine, Coward’s manager and friend for many years, dies. Coward works on new volume of autobiography: ‘Past Conditional’. ‘Bon Voyage’ is published.”
“1968
Coward plays Mr. Bridger, the criminal mastermind, in ‘The Italian Job.’”
“1970
Coward is awarded knighthood in New Year’s Honours List.”
“1971
Coward wins Tony Award, USA, for ‘Distinguished Achievement in the Theatre’.”
“1973
Noël Coward dies peacefully at his home at Firefly, Jamaica. He is buried on Firefly Hill. Firefly website”