"Why do I drink Champagne for breakfast? Doesn't everyone?"
Sir Noël Peirce Coward, born 16 December 1899, was an English playwright, composer, director, actor and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what Time magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and chic, pose and poise".
Noël Coward is well know and as such much has been written about him, so I will share some interesting interviews, quintessential quotes, playful pictures, and as always, reading recommendations.
"Television is for appearing on - not for looking at."
- Noel Coward
First is a clip from the 1950s where he achieved fresh success as a cabaret performer, performing his own songs, such as "Mad Dogs and Englishmen".
Wit ought to be a glorious treat like caviar; never spread it about like marmalade.
- Noel Coward
Next is a documentary from the archives of the BBC. In an interview by Michael MacOwan, Coward speaks about "competent acting" filmed at a screening of his play's TV adaptation for the BBC.
Work is much more fun than fun.
- Noel Coward
Lastly "The South Bank Show: Noël Coward". Unfortunately at 14 minutes in the sound cuts out but it's full of home videos with Noël at the beach, clips of his plays and interviews from Philip Hoare and other interesting people.
"To hell with god damned L'amour. It always causes far more trouble than it is worth. Don't run after it. Don't court it. Keep it waiting off stage until you're good and ready for it and even then treat it with the suspicious disdain it deserves..."
- Noel Coward
Reading Recommendations & Content Considerations
by by
Barry Day O.B.E Michael Cox, Folio Society