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Noel Coward Headshot

Noel Coward

Date of Death: March 26, 1973 (73)

Birth Place: Teddington, ENGLAND

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BIO

Noel was an English playwright, composer, actor, producer and director. His plays include The Vortex (1924), Hay Fever (1925), Private Lives (1930), Blithe Spirit (1941), Present Laughter (1943) and This Happy Breed (1943). He produced, wrote, starred in and co-directed (with David Lean) the Academy Award-winning film In Which We Serve (1942) as well as writing the screenplay for one of the most beloved British films of all time, Brief Encounter (1945). He wrote many songs now considered classics, including "Mad About the Boy", "Mad Dogs and Englishmen", "I’ll See You Again" and "20th Century Blues" and in 1955 performed a sell-out cabaret season in Las Vegas. His musicals include Bitter Sweet (1929) and Sail Away (1961). As an actor he enjoyed memorable roles onstage in many of his plays as well as on film playing Hawthorne in Our Man In Havana (1959) and Mr Bridger in The Italian Job (1969). He was knighted in 1970.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
1958
Garry Essendine

[Broadway]
1957
Sebastien

[Broadway]
1933
Leo

[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 1931
Elyot Chase

[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 1928
Performer

[Broadway]
1925
Nicky Lancaster

Productions

 
[West End, 2023]
Writer
 
[West End, 1964]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1964]
Director
 
[West End, 1962]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1961]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1958]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1957]
Director
 
[West End, 1950]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1939]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1935]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1934]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1933]
Director
Producer
 
[Broadway, 1931]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1929]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1925]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1925]
Director

Writing

Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Source Material
Source Material
Playwright
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Bookwriter
Composer
Lyricist
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Playwright
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer
Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Composer
Source Material
Composer/Lyricist
Conceiver
Composer/Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Composer/Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer
Composer
Text
Lyricist
Music
Composer/Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Playwright
Composer
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Composer
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Sketches/Composer/Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Composer
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer
Bookwriter
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Sketches/Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer

Movies

Forbidden Love
[ 1927 ] writer
The Vortex
[ 1928 ] writer
Bitter Sweet
[ 1933 ] lyrics and music - as Noel Coward
Design for Living
[ 1933 ] writer
Cavalcade
[ 1933 ] writer
Tonight Is Ours
[ 1933 ] writer
The Terrible Lovers
[ 1936 ] writer
We Were Dancing
[ 1942 ] writer
This Happy Breed
[ 1944 ] writer
Blithe Spirit
[ 1945 ] writer
Brief Encounter
[ 1945 ] writer
Our Man in Havana
[ 1959 ] Hawthorne
Bunny Lake Is Missing
[ 1965 ] Horacio Wilson
A Matter of Innocence
[ 1967 ] writer
Boom!
[ 1968 ] The Witch of Capri
Interlude
[ 1968 ] writer
The Italian Job
[ 1969 ] Mr. Bridger
Sidste akt
[ 1987 ] writer
Relative Values
[ 2000 ] writer
Easy Virtue
[ 2008 ] writer
Hay Fever
[ 2021 ] writer

Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 1964 - Best Direction of a Musical

Noel Coward , High Spirits

Tony Awards - 1964 - Best Musical

Noel Coward, The Girl Who Came to Supper


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1942 - Best Foreign Play

Noel Coward, Blithe Spirit

Videos

News


Bob Barth's ONE NIGHT STAND to Highlight Classic Theatre Offerings & More

Bob Barth's ONE NIGHT STAND will deliver another evening of entertainment, featuring a discussion of Samuel Beckett's WAITING FOR GODOT at the Geffen Playhouse and more.
Review: DEATHTRAP at Spotlighters Is a Self-Referential, Funny, and Sometimes Scary Delight

Hall of Mirrors. Self-referential. Meta. All of these terms might be used to supplement the general category of Thriller into which Deathtrap, Ira Levin’s 1978 Broadway hit currently being resurrected at Spotlighters, fits. Yes, the play is (as a thriller should be) about lethal relationships and scary surprises.
OPERATION MINCEMEAT Extends For Twelfth Time in London

Following back-to-back tenth and eleventh extensions at the West End's Fortune Theatre and the announcement of Operation Mincemeat's Broadway debut, the show has extended for a twelfth time until 7th June 2025.
Paul Mescal in STREETCAR, Whitney White's MACBETH IN STRIDE & More to Play BAM in 2025

BAM has revealed its 2025 Winter Spring Season, featuring Paul Mescal in A Streetcar Named Desire, Whitney White's Macbeth in Stride, and more. Learn more about the full lineup here!
Noel Coward's PRESENT LAUGHTER Opens Next Month At Birmingham Village Players

The Birmingham Village Players will present Noel Coward's Present Laughter for two weekends only this December. Learn more about the production and how to get tickets here!
Paul Mescal-Led STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE Will Play NYC Following West End Return in 2025

The Paul Mescal-led production of A Streetcar Named Desire, which won the actor an Olivier award in 2023, will return to the West End in 2025 before transferring to New York. Learn more about the productions plans here!
Cast Set For HANSEL AND GRETEL at Shakespeare's Globe

Shakespeare’s Globe has announced the cast for Hansel and Gretel. Following last year’s run, this year's production is the Brothers Grimm’s classic story, with brand new songs.
Ore Oduba to Join CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG UK Tour

Ore Oduba will play the role of Caractacus Potts in the new production of the most fantasmagorical musical of all time CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, currently touring the UK. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
2:22 - A GHOST STORY Will Embark on New UK Tour

The critically acclaimed hit supernatural thriller 2:22 - A Ghost Story will embark on an extensive UK-wide tour, opening at Manchester Opera House on 4 August 2025, and continuing through to June 2026. 
Review Roundup: DR STRANGELOVE Starring Steve Coogan

Steve Coogan stars in the first ever adaption of Stanley Kubrick’s iconic Dr. Strangelove, as the world premiere stage production prepares for a strictly limited run at London’s Noël Coward Theatre. Check out what the critics are saying about the new show here!
Review: DR. STRANGELOVE, Noel Coward Theatre

New stage version of Stanley Kubrick's black comedy lands with as much force today as it did in cinemas 60 years ago
Concord Theatricals Acquires Licensing Rights For James Graham Titles

Concord Theatricals announced the acquisition of licensing rights for several plays by James Graham, including INK, THIS HOUSE, LABOUR OF LOVE, A HISTORY OF FALLING THINGS, and QUIZ.
Review: 'Tis a worthy voyage to FAR AWAY PLACES with KT Sullivan at Pangea

KT Sullivan's travels take her to the East Village again on November 21 for her true treat show about traveling. FAR AWAY PLACES is a splendid trip.
OPERATION MINCEMEAT Extends For an Eleventh Time

Hot on the heels of a tenth extension at the West End's Fortune Theatre and the announcement that the Olivier Award-winning Operation Mincemeat will open on Broadway at the Golden Theatre on 20th March 2025, ATG has granted an incredible eleventh extension in London, with performances now set to continue until 19th April 2025.
Jon Robyns Joins Cast of FIGARO: AN ORIGINAL MUSICAL at the London Palladium

Creators Ashley Jana and Will Nunziata and their Tony Award® and GRAMMY Award winning producing team have announced that West End leading man Jon Robyns will play the title role in Figaro: An Original Musical at the iconic London Palladium.
Lights of All Broadway Theatres to be Dimmed for Gavin Creel, Adrian Bailey & Maggie Smith

After a public petition and outcry to dim all the lights of Broadway for some recent passings of stage legelends. All Broadway theatres in New York will dim their lights in honor of Adrian Bailey, Gavin Creel, and Maggie Smith.
Photos: I LIKE AMERICA Celebrates 125 Years of Noël Coward

The York Theatre Company recently hosted a special ONE-NIGHT-ONLY concert celebrating 125 years of Noël Coward and in particular his lifelong association with America, featuring Steve Ross, KT Sullivan and Simon Jones.
Interview: Grover Dale Reflects on a Life in the Theater

Grover Dale’s life story reads like the ultimate show bio. After all, there are few performers who can count the original Broadway production of West Side Story among their credits. Or say that Sir Noel Coward hand picked them to appear in one of his musicals.
Feature: October Monthly Musical Birthday Tribute â€" It's a Quiz!

What star turned down CABARET? What two cabaret stars were born on Halloween? What cabaret club was named for a character in a musical? What Broadway lyricist turns 100 this month? Take the multiple-choice quiz and see what you know (or might guess correctly) about so many talented folks ALL born in October.
Noel Coward's BLITHE SPIRIT To Be Presented By Sullivan Rep This October

Sullivan Rep will present their third production, Noel Coward's BLITHE SPIRIT, this October. The play follows novelist Charles Condomine, his wife Ruth, and the chaos that ensues after a séance brings back Charles' first wife, Elvira. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Noel Coward been in?

Noel Coward has appeared on Broadway in 6 shows.

How many West End shows has Noel Coward been in?

Noel Coward has not appeared in the West End

What awards has Noel Coward been nominated for?

Noel Coward has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. He was nominated for Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards for his work on "High Spirits." He was also nominated for Best Musical at the Tony Awards for "The Girl Who Came to Supper." In addition, Coward received a nomination for Best Foreign Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for his play "Blithe Spirit."

What awards has Noel Coward won?

Noel Coward has won the Best Foreign Play award from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for his play "Blithe Spirit".

How many shows has Noel Coward written?

Noel Coward has written 50 shows including London Calling (Composer/Lyricist), André Charlot's Revue of 1924 (Composer), On With the Dance (Composer/Lyricist), The Vortex (Playwright), Hay Fever (Playwright), Charlot Revue (Composer), Easy Virtue (Playwright), This Was a Man (Playwright), The Marquise (Playwright), Fallen Angels (Playwright), This Year of Grace (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Murray Anderson's Almanac (Bookwriter), Bitter Sweet (Bookwriter), Private Lives (Playwright), Cochran's 1931 Revue (Composer/Lyricist), Ziegfeld Follies of 1931 (Composer), Cavalcade (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), The Young Idea (Playwright), Words and Music (Sketches/Composer/Lyricist), Conversation Piece (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Point Valaine (Playwright), Tonight at 8:30 (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Operette (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Set to Music (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Sigh No More (Sketches/Composer/Lyricist), Pacific 1860 (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Ace of Clubs (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), After the Ball (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Quadrille (Playwright), Nude With Violin (Playwright), Look After Lulu (Playwright), Sail Away (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), The Girl Who Came to Supper (Composer/Lyricist), High Spirits (Source Material), Noel Coward's Sweet Potato (Composer/Lyricist), Cowardy Custard (Composer/Lyricist), Hay Fever (Playwright), Noel (Composer/Lyricist), Oh Coward! (Composer/Lyricist), Barbara Cook: A Concert for the Theatre (Composer), If Love Were All (Composer/Lyricist), Waiting in the Wings (Playwright), A Suite in Two Keys (Playwright), Design For Living (Playwright), Elaine Stritch At Liberty (Composer), A Marvelous Party (Composer/Lyricist), Blithe Spirit (Playwright), Brief Encounter (Playwright), Volcano (Playwright), The Rat Trap (Playwright).

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