PRIVATE LIVES
The play focuses on a divorced couple (Elyot and Amanda) who discover that they are honeymooning with their new spouses in neighbouring rooms at the same hotel. Despite a perpetually stormy relationship, they realise that they still have feelings for each other.
Cast: Penelope Keith, Alec McCowen, Polly Adams, Donald Pickering.
1976 90 MINUTES
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DESIGN FOR LIVING
A story of a ménage a trois between three creative types. Interior designer Gilda, artist Otto and playwright Leo all love each other, and not just in an affectionate sense. Written in 1932, it was obviously brave for its time, and indeed censorship prevented it from being performed on the London stage until 1939. It had its première on Broadway in 1933 where it was an instant hit. Set in the 30s and with central characters who are 'bright young things'.
Starring Rula Lenska, Clive Arrindell, John Steiner, John Bluthal, Dandy Nichols.
1979 101 MINUTES
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MRS. CAPPER’S BIRTHDAY
Two great names in playwriting coming together - Jack Rosenthal writing a script from Noel Coward's original story. Mrs Capper, widowed in the war after only a few years of marriage, lives with an old tart and cleans for a couple in the bright young things set. It's her birthday and we follow her day as all sorts of friends and family foist their attentions on her - the local tobacconist who wants more than friendship, the bed-hopping couple she dailies for, her fussy daughter and bored son-in-law. The strong point of this play is Mrs Capper's discussions with long-dead husband Fred, sharing her day, commenting on what's been going on. And a Coward song sneaks in as well - 'I'll Be Seeing You', although interrupted by a modern fist fight over a girl.
Starring Patricia Hayes. With Avis Bunnage, Paula Wilcox, Max Wall, Paddie O’Neil, John Bird, Hugh Laurie.
1985 57 MINUTES
WHAT MAD PURSUIT
1985 55 MINUTES
BOTH ON SAME DISC
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TONIGHT AT 8.30
Eight half-hour Playlets by Noel Coward. Starring Joan Collins (1991)
DISC 1:
THE ASTONISHED HEART
This story of a love triangle in the early 1950s has something in common with Hands Across the Sea but also Blithe Spirit. It starts with the visit of an old school pal returning from overseas, Miss Collins as Leonora, to the comfortable flat of Barbara (Siân Phillips). As well as catching up on old times, Barbara insists that Leonora meet her husband, the eminent psychiatrist Christian Faber played by John Alderton. He is inevitably smitten by this glamorous temptress, despite his unemotional facade and professional training. Over the course of the year, an affair commences, is practically blessed by the unfortunate, deserted wife and reaches a melodramatic ending.
FAMILY ALBUM
Continuing to ring the changes, Coward offers a musical spoof on archetypal Victorian family values amongst people of "quality". Gathered after the funeral of their father, a family of five siblings, three in-laws and their faithful butler, Alderton as the elderly Burrows, they mourn the past, think of the deceased's money and do
their best to drink the cellar dry. Throughout, led by Dennis Quilley's Jasper, they run through a series of period songs commemorating lives of the wealthy during that period. At last, in this play the barely recognisable Joan Collins is on really good form in the role of toothy spinster, Lavvy. She gleefully spends a great deal of time talking about what father would not have wanted his children to do and then reluctantly joining them in spiting the old man by doing them.
Family Album builds to a witty final speech from Lavvy, in which a happy ending is not only guaranteed but fully justified.
This good-natured musical comedy features impressively straight-faced performances and/or attractive singing from an array of stars including those named as well as Bonnie Langford, Jessica Martin and Lisa Sadovy.
FUMED OAK
Fumed Oak is a family drama, accurately subtitled "an unpleasant comedy", centring on Anthony Newley's henpecked Henry Gow. You would not think so to start with, as for around ten minutes he utters not a word.
However, when your mother-in-law is Joan Sims in a hat adorned with half a pound of cherries; and your nagging wife is played by Miss Collins doing a splendid bit of character acting, it may not be so easy to get a word in edgeways. The family is completed by a spotty, snivelling daughter, Prudence Oliver playing the part of adenoidal Elsie, so that poor Henry is sadly beaten down by three generations of feminine disrespect. Finally, this wormy cross between a bank clerk and Neville Chamberlain turns, to great dramatic and comic effect.
His speech of denunciation might well act as a model for any man who has never had the courage to tell a house full of women what he feels about them.
By the end, despite their dreadfulness, one almost feels sorry for the trio that have persecuted the poor bloke for the last fifteen years - but not quite.
HANDS ACROSS THE SEA
An undemanding comedy of mistaken identity and upper-class carelessness. It is set in 1940 during the phoney war but from the behaviour of this household, you would never know that any problems or restrictions existed.
Joan Collins plays Piggie, the hostess of a small party that includes a couple from "out East", Malaya to be exact. Bernard Cribbins is the weak, silent type, while the rubber planter's wife, played by Miriam Margolyes, does enough talking for both. The light sitcom gets its laughs from digs at the social norms of the time and leads to an extremely humorous revelation which justifies what had up to that point been a relatively limp comedy.
The cast also includes John Nettles wryly playing Piggie's husband, a self-important naval type, as well as the piano à la Coward, while Siân Phillips is her dotty friend Claire.
DISC 2:
THE RED PEPPERS
The Red Peppers, played by Miss Collins and Anthony Newley, are a husband and wife variety act. They are well past their sell by date, although the highlights of this piece are their two song and dance numbers. Coward manages to convey the desperation of a pair who know, in their heart of hearts, that they are on the slide but still have pride, not to mention the need to make ends meet.
While playing a Medway town, they clashed twice with the locals. First, they have a barny with the conductor, played by Reg Varney. He is a man with ideas above his station who eventually brings the play to a humorous two-fingered finale.
His support comes from Henry McGee playing the theatre's manager. He is believably unctuous before the big names but supercilious when it comes to the likes of the Red Peppers. Like The Entertainer, this is a bittersweet comedy about the decline of variety and its former stars.
SHADOW PLAY
Featuring Simon Williams and Miss Collins as Simon and Vicky Goforth. After five years of marriage, it looks as if their relationship is on the rocks, thanks to the husband's relationship with Carrie Ellis' Sybil and his wife's more innocent liaison with Michael (Robert Meadmore). After a sad discussion with Jean Anderson (playing her Aunt Martha) and a large dose of sleeping tablets, Simon suggests divorce and Vicky falls into a troubled sleep.
What had appeared a soapy melodrama suddenly transforms into a frenetic dream sequ
ence with musical accompaniment to the attractive singing of Carrie Ellis and Robert Meadmore.
Inevitably, and appropriately for the ending to this eclectic mix, once Vicky awakes, the couple is reconciled and will inevitably live happily ever after.
STILL LIFE
This is the playlet that made Tonight at 8.30 famous. It eventually became extended on the silver screen as Brief Encounter. In this version, directed immaculately by Sydney Lotterby, the tales of the three sets of lovers are well balanced to create a bittersweet mixture of comedy and unbearable pathos. The parts of Laura Jesson and Dr Alec Harvey, played by Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard in the movie, are created here by Jane Asher and John Alderton, both of whom acquit themselves very well.
Their poignant tale of forbidden love is counterpointed by two comic gems. Joan Collins and Norman Rossington play the fifty-something manageress of the station cafeteria in which the stories are played out and the station porter who takes a shine to her. Myrtle is unjustifiably proud, while on this occasion, Albert does a fine impression of Bill Owen in Last of the Summer Wine.
The final pairing, representing unbridled young love, are portrayed by Diane Langton and Steve Nicolson as something out of a saucy, seaside postcard.
WAYS AND MEANS
They spend practically the whole play lying in bed saying "what are we going to do?" rather than actually doing anything. Their financial position is dire, with a significant negative balance owed to a collection of friends idiotic enough to make advances to them.This silly comedy set in Cannes just after the war features Toby and Stella Cartwright played by John Standing and Miss Collins. They personify the idle rich, billeted on their wealthy but generous friend Olive (Siân Phillips) and frittering away money as if it was going out of fashion.
Their first solution of asking Nanny (Miriam Margolyes) to pawn their last assets for a couple of darts at the roulette table has the most predictable of outcomes.
It is only when Tony Slattery, playing a Romeo chauffeur-turned-burglar, bursts into their bedroom that a resolution offers itself. This is reasonably ingenious and allows a trussed up Miss Collins, financially solvent once again, to flash her eyes at the handsome young man with tedious regularity.
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PRESENT LAUGHTER
Live Performance featuring Donald Sinden, Dinah Sheridan, Gwen Watford, Elizabeth Counsell, Julian Fellowes and Belinda Lang. . Present Laughter is a comic play written by Noel Coward in 1939 and first staged in 1942. The plot follows a few days in the life of the successful and self-obsessed light comedy actor Garry Essendine as he prepares to travel for a touring commitment in Africa. Amid a series of events bordering on farce, Garry has to deal with women who want to seduce him, placate both his long-suffering secretary and his estranged wife, cope with a crazed young playwright, and overcome his fear of middle-age (he has recently turned forty) and, by implication, his impending mid-life crisis. The story was described by Coward as "a series of semi-autobiographical pyrotechnics".
Recorded by BBC TV from the stage of the Vaudeville Theatre, London.
1981 2 disc set
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BON VOYAGE
During a cruise from San Francisco to Hong King during the 1950′s, the slightly shady Roddy strikes up a relationship with the older Lola, much to the surprise of their fellow passengers.
Another entry into the Noel Coward Star Quality anthology series. Some good playing by the leads even with a somewhat typecast Nigel Havers as the bon vivant Roddy. It’s actually quite a smallish tale enlivened by some sparkling dialogue..
With Judy Parfitt, Nigel Havers, Helen Horton, Michael Aldridge, Ursula Howells, Ed Deveraux, and Doreen Mantle.
1985 58 minutes
ME AND THE GIRLS
This is a quite beautiful story of a gay man dying of cancer. He thinks back on his life with "the girls" (the dance group of which he is the manager and single male performer) and with the love of his life, Harry, tragically killed. A great performance by Tom Courtenay. One of the few stories by Noel Coward that features an openly gay leading character.
With Tom Courtney, Nichola McAuliffe, Robert Glenister, Maria Friedman.
1985 53 MINUTES
BOTH ON SAME DISC
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MR. AND MRS. EDGEHILL
The story of a middle-aged British couple who have failed to make a go of a plantation on Samola (one of His Majesty's islands in the south Pacfic) and who, on the eve of World War II, are about to return to England. But Mr. Edgehill is asked by the government to represent the British Empire on an isolated island that may be used as a site for an American airfield. The couple reluctantly take up quarters on the island, where they are befriended by a kindly English noblewoman. Later, they receive a portrait of the king and the queen as a sort of emblem of their struggle for Britain.
Starring Judi Dench and Ian Holm.
1985 101 MINUTES
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COME INTO THE GARDEN MAUD
This short play concerns a warring American couple in Europe, one with pretensions to entertain Lords and Princes Anna Mary, (played by Toby Robins), and one bored and existing only in golf and business Verner, (played by the great stage actor Paul Scofield). The 'Maud' of the title is Geraldine MacEwan, flighty, quizzical, and cynical, with her Buffalo Bill quips and her tipsy requests for brandy. A fascinating creature, a Princess down on her luck, she is a creature of odd habits and great interest.
Paul Schofield, Geraldine McEwan, Toby Robbins
1981 56 MINUTES
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A SONG AT TWILIGHT
On the face of it this is a comedy but there's a lot more to it - and with Paul Scofield and Deborah Kerr in the cast, there's plenty to watch. Kerr in particular plays it just right - her Carlotta is pure acid in places - while Scofield convinces as the repressed writer about to meet some unsought for truths from his past.
This play is wordy, but funny - as well as delivering some serious messages about tolerance, convenience, and memory. This version of the play gets the balance right and benefits from June Tobin's strong support as the writer's German wife and secretary.
Deborah Kerr, Paul Schofield
1982 82 MINUTES
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*THE NOEL COWARD TRILOGY
The Boy Actor, Captain Coward, Sail Away. These three entertaining and informative programs celebrate the life, career and legacy of Noel Coward, Britain's beloved actor, playwright, and composer. Contains rare footage and photographs of the acclaimed Master, who invented the concept of celebrity and was the essence of chic in the Jazz Age of the 20s and 30s. His debonair looks and stylishly groomed appearance made him the icon of his era.
Producer-director Adam Low traces Coward's life and career by visiting all the significant places he lived and worked, talking to friends and colleagues (including some who are gone now, like John Gielgud and Coward's longtime companion Graham Payn), and calling on three of his most articulate biographers, the late Sheridan Morley, John Lahr, and Philip Hoare. What's more, in addition to the expected photos and film clips, there are vintage interviews with the Great Man himself and seen for the first time his own home movies from his travels around the world.
149 MINUTES
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NOEL COWARD ON ACTING 
Noel Coward talks to Michael MaCowen about acting techniques and the highlights of his career. The programme is illustrated with extracts from IN WHICH WE SERVE and sound recordings from `Private lives' and `The apple cart'.
1966 49 MINUTES B&W
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OMNIBUS: NOEL COWARD PLAYWRIGHT
Arts documentary series. Noël Coward talks to Patrick Garland about his career as a playwright. With excerpts from `The Vortex', `Hay Fever', `Blithe Spirit', `This Happy Breed' and `Star'.
1969 43 MINUTES
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THE SONGWRITERS: NOEL COWARD
BBC musical retrospective with the songs of Noel Coward presented by Avril Angers, Richard Denning, Peter Gale, Angela Richards, Marti Webb, Sheila White Aubrey Woods.
1978 48 MINUTES
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TWENTIETH CENTURY BLUES: THE WORDS AND MUSIC OF NOEL COWARD
Film of a gala concert of Noel Coward songs performed by popular artists at the Park Lane Hotel in London. Staged in 1998 to raise funds for the Red Hot Aids Charitable Trust, the show celebrates the genius of Noel Coward with fresh performances of his classic songs. Elton John, Marianne Faithfull and Sting, some of the most distinctive British voices of the last forty years, interpret the songs of the man who defined Britishness for an entire era.
Performers are:
Elton John "Twentieth Century Blues"
Suede featuring Raissa "Poor Little Rich Girl"
Marianne Faithfull "Mad About the Boy"
The Divine Comedy "Marvellous Party"
Shola Ama "Some Day I'll Find You"
Pet Shop Boys "Sail Away"
Pet Shop Boys "If Love Were All"
Sting "I'll follow my Secret Heart"
Robbie Williams "There are Bad Times Just Around the Corner"
1998 50 MINUTES
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