Showing results by author "Noel Coward" in All Categories

Renowned for his wit, style and sophistication, Noël Coward was one of the greatest playwrights of the 20th century. His plays, set in the glittering world of high society in which he lived, are much admired and have remained in the popular theatre repertoire to this day. This collection brings together the very best radio adaptation

Julia and Fred and Willy and Jane are happily married and the best of friends, until a postcard arrives with news of the imminent arrival of a certain handsome Frenchman. Gay, debonair, and utterly sophisticated.

Six phenomenally sophisticated Noël Coward comedies: Fallen Angels, Hay Fever, Private Lives, Design for Living, Blithe Spirit, Present Laughter.

Laura Jesson is a happily married woman until a chance encounter in a train station café draws her to Dr Alec Harvey. Literally bumping into each other brings temptation, danger and guilt into their lives, and a doomed love affair ensues... A classic love story, 'Brief Encounter' was made...

In interviews ranging from 1960 to 1972, Noël Coward talks about being a legend, whether he is a cynical writer, his early days in acting and about his early reputation for upsetting fellow actors on stage. He also discusses acting with Laurence Olivier, his affection for the navy, his film-making, his knighthood and writing 'Private Lives' for his friend Gertrude Lawrence.

Three terminally stylish friends, who share rivalrous affections, attempt to uncoil their twisted love triangle in this sexy and scandalous gem. Written in 1932, the play was deemed extremely daring, and even by today's standards is considered controversial. In its frank and funny take on sex, love, and commitment, Design for Living proves to be one of Coward's greatest successes.

A galaxy of friends, lovers, relatives and theatre acolytes sparkles around stage star Garry Essendine like bubbles in fine champagne. While Garry struggles to plan his upcoming trip to Africa, his elegant London flat is invaded by a love-struck ingenue, an adulterous producer, and a married seductress - not to mention Garry's estranged wife, Liz, and the memorable Roland Maule, an aspiring playwright who is quite, quite mad.

The lights of a yacht on the French Riviera are reflected in the water and in the eyes of four hilariously mismatched lovers. Perhaps Coward's greatest comedy, Private Lives shimmers with wit, romance, desire, and bittersweet truth.

This Happy Breed opens in 1919, when the Gibbons family have just moved to their smart new home in the suburbs of South London. Against a background of social change and national upheaval spanning twenty years, the family celebrate their own triumphs and deal with their personal traumas...

Noël Coward on theatre was as dazzling and entertaining as his masterful plays and lyrics. Here his ideas and opinions on the subject are brilliantly brought together in an extraordinary collection of commentary, lyrics, essays, and asides on everything having to do with the theatre and...

In Vortex, Noel Coward delves into the shadowy corners of the roaring twenties with this early play that captivates and unsettles. The story revolves around an aging beauty who engages in affairs with younger men to maintain her sense of relevance, while her son—originally portrayed by Coward himself—returns from Paris, grappling with a burgeoning cocaine addiction. Set against the vibrant backdrop of the socialite elite, this work is infused with Cowards signature wit and charm. However, it also serves as a poignant exploration of individuals who struggle with self-deception and the quest...

This classic comedy is set in the charming country home of Charles Condomine, a remarried widower. A witty and convivial evening party among friends is transformed when a seance conjures the ghost of Elvira, Charles' first wife, who delights in wreaking havoc among the living. An enchanting Coward comedy!

Thus begins the life story of one of the most celebrated characters in British theatrical history, in the first of Coward's autobiographies, first published in 1937. Displaying an early dedication to the theatre, Present Indicative hints at the success that would come to Coward as actor, playwright, novelist and performer. Each line is punctuated with his trademark effervescent wit, making this book a comic tour de force in it's own right, as well as a "must read" for anyone with an interest in the British stage.

The second and concluding volume of Noël Coward's legendary autobiography includes Future Indefinite and the unfinished Past Unconditional. With his trademark wit, Coward delivers anecdotes about his travels in South America, Hollywood encounters with an array of contemporary stars and directors, and his later theatrical successes, including the Broadway triumph of Design For Living.

Step into the whimsical world of the Bliss family, where eccentricity reigns supreme and hilarity knows no bounds. In this charming farce, the theatrical Blisses host four unsuspecting guests at their picturesque English country house for a weekend getaway. What follows is a delightful series of misadventures and misunderstandings that will leave you in stitches. Join us for a rollicking good time! - Summary by WendyKatzHiller

Enter the glittering world of The Vortex by Noel Coward and discover why this play is a classic of English theater! Follow the story of Florence Lancaster, a young woman caught in the midst of a society of decadence and excess, as she navigates the complexities of love, marriage, and self-discovery. With its sharp wit, memorable characters, and themes of morality and self-indulgence, The Vortex is a must-listen for anyone interested in classic theater or the works of Noel Coward. So why wait? Start listening to The Vortex today and be entertained and enlightened by Coward's writing.https://...

Classic plays and ghost stories, as performed by the residents of Ambridge and friends - plus bonus drama Dead Girls Tell No Tales. Borsetshire's queen of amateur theatricals, Lynda Snell, never misses the chance to put on a Christmas show. Her productions are always a big hit with Ambridge audiences - and now, Archers fans can enjoy these top-notch performances alongside them (as well as eavesdropping on the shenanigans backstage).

An irresistible comedy ensues when a group of bohemian protagonists wreak emotional havoc on their houseguests.

A country house weekend goes haywire when the guests and their hosts play a game of romantic musical chairs. A most delightful madcap comedy.

When novelist Charles Condomine invites a medium into his house in order to learn about the occult for his new book, the last thing he or his second wife dream is that the seance will bring back his first wife, Elvira, who wants Charles all to herself!