A Sometimes Blithe Spirit: Noel Coward Quiz

Answer: Teddington

Despite his later gloss of sophistication, elegant persona, and that too-too upper class accent, the debonaire Coward was born into a barely-middle class family. His father, Arthur, was an unsuccessful piano salesman (I guess because it's hard to get a piano into a sample case), and the family was often strapped for cash. Violet Coward, however, did her best to make the family's poverty at least genteel! She even made sure that her talented boy got dance lessons.

Answer: Eric

Eric Coward did not share the robust health gene that allowed his older brother to survive any number of childhood accidents. He suffered from chronic poor health and died young. Noel, on the other hand, must have been born under a lucky star. Once, while running barefoot on a beach, he stepped on a broken bottle and it sliced an artery in his foot.

The only other person around at the time was a recent graduate of a first aid course, whose prompt action saved Noel's life. No wonder his childhood nickname was Destiny's Tot!

Answer: 12

Noel had very little formal education, but he was a gifted performer from the time he was very small, and he shone in amateur talent shows. With his mother's encouragement, he abandoned his scholastic career at the Chapel Royal Choir School (with very few qualms - he hated school!) and became a professional actor.

He came under the wing of Charles Hawtrey, a well-known actor-manager, and starred in several of Hawtrey's productions in the West End. Coward worshipped Hawtrey, and it was from him that he learned his craft and polished his skills over the next eight years. Fortunately, Noel read widely, and that fact along with his precise eye and ear for character and situations, made his lack of formal education a non-issue.

Answer: The Vortex

'The Vortex' (1924) was very controversial, dealing as it did with the naughty behaviour of members of the rich and powerful 'upper class': extra-marital affairs, cocaine use, and subtle references to homosexuality. No producer in London would touch it, so Noel raised the money and produced the play himself, and the Everyman Theatre, tucked away in the suburbs of London, agreed to stage it. No lack of self-confidence ever prevented Noel Coward doing what Noel Coward wanted to do! Of course, he starred in 'The Vortex'.

The play received rave reviews and shortly thereafter the production was moved into a larger theatre in the West End. Coward had become an overnight success (after 13 years in the theatre!)

Answer: Jack Wilson

Wilson was the first great love of Coward's life. Coward bought and refurbished Goldenhurst Farm in Kent, and moved there with his parents and Wilson (they weren't called the Roaring Twenties for nothing!). Wilson was a heavy drinker and somewhat light-fingered when it came to other people's property and money, but Noel overlooked these flaws, and expected everyone else to, as well. Wilson became Noel's agent, and handled all of Coward's business affairs.

The relationship ended in the late 1930s because of Wilson's drinking and dishonesty, and after the break, Wilson married (to spite Noel?). Noel maintained a friendship with the couple, and more often than not provided a shoulder for Wilson's wife Natasha to cry on. Of course, Noel had to find another agent, which was a good thing because Wilson had severely mis-managed Noel's business affairs, especially his American interests.

Answer: He was a British agent

Not many people are aware that the dashing sophisticate was a secret agent in Paris for MI5. However, when France fell in 1940, Noel turned his talents back to the stage and films, and also toured Europe, North Africa and the Far East to entertain the troops (usually paying all the expenses). 'In Which We Serve' was a huge success in both Britain and the U.S., and it's the film that gave Coward's co-director David Lean his big break. Lean went on to become one of the world's top film directors. (Who can forget his marvellous 'Lawrence of Arabia', starring Peter O'Toole?).

Answer: He put together a night club act

Coward's new audience was in America, where he made nightclub appearances in Las Vegas, which resulted in a hit comedy record, and many television appearances. One of these TV ventures was a very special two-hander with Mary Martin called 'Together with Music'.

He also became a tax exile. Post-war taxation in Britain was crippling (with a top rate of just over 81%). He settled in Jamaica and also bought a home in Switzerland, which became his primary residence. He spent the rest of his life shuttling between Firefly Hill in Jamaica and Les Avant in Switzerland, with visits to Britain and the U.S. to catch up on what was happening in the world of theatre, and to stage new shows.

Despite his enormous contributions to theatre and film and the fact that he had served his country in war time, Coward was pilloried in the press for becoming a tax-exile (probably because he was the first of a never-ending stream of celebrities to do so), and political foes made it their business to block any attempts to recognize him in any of the annual Honours Lists.

Answer: He was knighted

Despite ill health (he suffered from debilitating arthritis), Coward made a comeback of sorts, as younger audiences discovered his work. Coward referred to this as "Dad's Renaissance". Although he had retired as an actor in live theatre (he suffered frequent memory losses which made it difficult to remember lines), he continued making films (he appeared as the Witch of Capri in 'Boom!' a real bomb which starred Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, providing the film with its only memorable performance!) and in TV specials.

At the age of 70, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth, an honour his fans felt was long overdue.

Answer: No

Coward maintained a lifelong silence with regard to his sexual proclivities, although people in his circle knew that he had a committed relationship with South African actor Graham Payn, which continued until his death. Until his recent death (November 2005) at age 87, Payn oversaw the Coward legacy, taking care of all legal business related to his work and maintaining the home they shared in Switzerland. Coward's public silence on his private life was characteristic of him.

He was dedicated to the principle that a gentleman never discusses his private life with anyone. Friends urged him to come out, but Coward responded with comments like, "There's still one lady in Paddington who hopes to marry me, and I would hate to disappoint her," or "There are still a few old ladies in Worthing who don't know." When TV interviewer Edward R. Murrow asked Coward if he did anything to relax, Coward replied that of course he did, but not by doing anything that he was prepared to talk about in front of several million viewers.

Answer: Jamaica

In the early hours of March 26, 1973 Coward suffered a stroke at his home in Jamaica. One of his servants found him on the bathroom floor, and carried him back to his bed. Coward, realizing, no doubt, that his death was imminent, insisted that there was no need to disturb the household, and he died just before dawn, a gentleman to the end.

He is buried at Firefly Hill in Jamaica, and some years later a memorial plaque to him was dedicated in Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey. His image as the personification of sophistication, wit and elegance is enshrined in the continued presentation of his plays, his songs and music, and several biographies (the best of which is 'A Talent to Amuse' written by his Godson Sheridan Morley, son of the actor Robert Morley.

The book is my main source for the information in this quiz).