Author(s): Barry Day

Biography

The Treasures of Noel Coward is a celebration of the life and work of this legendary figure, still a household name today, nearly 40 years after his death. Lord Louis Mountbatten said at Noel's 70th birthday: "There are probably greater painters than Noel, greater novelists than Noel, greater librettists, greater composers of music, greater singers, greater dancers, greater comedians, greater tragedians, greater stage producers, greater film directors, greater cabaret artists, greater TV stars. If there are, they are twelve different people. Only one man combined all twelve labels - "The Master". As a songwriter (words and music) he rivals Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Stephen Sondheim, as a playwright his output exceeded that of Somerset Maughm (and his work is revived more often) and as an influential cultural figure he has no rival - Noel Coward is simply unique and this book tells the fascinating story of how the boy from the London suburbs conquered the world with his wit, charm and - as he modestly put it himself - star quality.