Noël Coward

A revealing and lovingly researched account of Noël Coward, the brilliant craftsman, as he devotedly drafts and redrafts his plays in an effort to satisfy his own innovative conception of theatrical form. * Michael Cordner, University of York, UK *
Noël Coward himself would have scoffed at the idea of close critical exegesis of his plays. But the great, and often moving, thing about Russell Jackson’s book is its revelation that Coward wrote and re-wrote constantly, listened to criticism and advice from his inner circle – and from his producers Jack Wilson and, especially, Binkie Beaumont – and acted on it. He was a star writer and performer, but also a star collaborator, an essential virtue in theatre. Using previously unpublished archival material, and discussing such recently published plays as Semi-Monde and Volcano, Jackson provides fresh, crisp analysis of the writer’s craft and of the plays themselves, locating them deftly in their cultural habitat and period, and sensitively charting Coward’s perhaps unjust decline from popular and critical favour. And we learn so much – not least, that Madame Arcati’s real name (deleted) was Gladys Stephens! * Michael Coveney, theatre critic, UK *
An invaluable addition to Coward scholarship. It combines incisive literary criticism with meticulous detective work, giving endless insights into a remarkable body of work. A joy for actors, directors and anyone who loves these plays. * Christopher Luscombe, theatre director, UK *
A highly impressive contribution to scholarship on modern drama. It presents a wealth of new research and a very thorough, lucid and enjoyable account of Coward’s work as playwright across all the decades of his career. * Theatre Notebook *