The songs reflect the times. The third programme in this series, celebrating 80 years of British popular music, harks back to the frantic syncopations of the Jazz Age, to tell the story of Noël Coward written by TONY STAVEACRE
' I couldn't help composing tunes even if I wished to, and ever since I was a little boy, they have dropped into my mind unbidden - and often in the most unlikely circumstances.'
His first published song was ' Forbidden Fruit', written when he was 17. After an inspiring visit to New York, he saw his name in lights for the first time in 1923-and enjoyed the satisfaction of hearing his own songs played in restaurants, and on the radio. Songs like ' Dance, Little Lady', ' Play, Orchestra, Play', ' Poor Little Rich Girl'. ' 20th Century Blues ', ' I'll See You Again ' - all destined to become classic songs of the 20s, a decade that Noel Coward seems, in retrospect, to personify.
The songs, the style, and the story of Noel Coward are re-created by The Songwriters' resident company:
Avrit Angers, Richard Denning Peter Gale , Angela Richards Marti Webb , Sheila White Aubrey Woods
Musical director KEN MOULE
Musical associate PETER MARTIN Choreographer GILLIAN GREGORY Costume designer PRUE HANDLEY Sound ADRIAN STOCKS
Lighting WARWICK FIELDING Designer CYNTHIA KLUJCO Producer TONY STAVEACRE Director KEITH CHEETHAM