Noël Coward was een Engelse toneelschrijver en componist, gevierd om zijn humor, flamboyantie en onderscheidende persoonlijke stijl. Zijn toneelstukken en liedjes kenden een heropleving van populariteit in de jaren '60 en '70, waarbij zijn werk en esthetiek de populaire cultuur blijven vormgeven. Zijn blijvende invloed is tot op de dag van vandaag duidelijk zichtbaar in theatrale en muzikale creaties.
Featuring a diverse collection of works, this reader presents a unique selection from Noel Coward's extensive repertoire. It includes entertaining annotations and rich illustrations, alongside previously unpublished material. This compilation showcases the depth and versatility of Coward's artistry, making it an essential addition for fans and newcomers alike.
Featuring a rich array of illustrations and annotations, this comprehensive collection of letters to and from Coward offers an insightful glimpse into a vibrant era, capturing the spirit of life from the challenges of the Blitz to the glamour of the Ritz. It presents a unique portrait of the time, showcasing Coward's experiences and connections, making it an essential read for those interested in the cultural landscape of his life.
"Its fusion of passion and mischief remains striking and there is something undeniably heady about its celebration of a kind of sexual liberation that looks a lot like flippancy" - Evening Standard From 1930s bohemian Paris to the dizzying heights of Manhattan society, a tempestuous love triangle unravels between a vivacious interior designer, Gilda, playwright Leo and artist Otto - three people unashamedly and passionately in love with each other. But can such a lavish love affair survive the real world? Exploring themes of bisexuality, celebrity, success and self-obsession, Design for Living is a stylish and scandalous comedy, that is often revered as Coward's most controversial and risqué work. This new edition is published in Methuen Drama's iconic Modern Classics series to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Coward's death and features a new introduction by Oliver Soden.
The collection features three plays by Noel Coward, showcasing his signature style of witty dialogue and sophisticated characters. Set in an era of languid aristocrats, the works capture the essence of high society as they engage in sharp exchanges while enjoying their martinis. Coward's unique blend of humor and social commentary highlights his enduring appeal as a leading playwright of the 1930s and '40s, reflecting the charm and complexities of his time.
Everything that wealthy London society had to offer a properly brought-up girl lay at the feet of little Sarah Millick in 1875; but she fell so desperately in love with her handsome young singing master that she threw it all away in order to be with him.-12 women, 2 men
The play concerns a downtrodden, middle-aged salesman who, having saved up enough money to cut all ties, walks out on his wife, mother-in-law and "horrible adenoidal daughter", having first told all three what he thinks of them.
The second volume in the Coward Collection, including Private Lives, Bitter- Sweet, The Marquise and Post-Mortem.
Noel Coward was one of the most celebrated characters in british theatrical history, with a career that spanned almost sixty years. This volume brings together Coward's celebrated verse, from snappy epigrams to seven-hundred-line short stories.
In the twilight of his life, a cosmopolitan author navigates the complexities of love and commitment, torn between his long-standing wife of convenience and a passionate new relationship. The narrative explores themes of desire, regret, and the search for meaning, blending humor with poignant reflections on aging and relationships. As he grapples with his choices, the author’s journey reveals the bittersweet nature of life’s transitions and the emotional intricacies of human connection.
The third volume of Coward's plays contains some of his best work from the thirties.
