Oh, Coward!
Encyclopedia
Oh, Coward! is a musical revue
in two acts devised by Roderick Cook
and containing music and lyrics by Noël Coward
. The revue consists of two men and one woman in formal dress, performing songs based on the following themes: England, family album, travel, theatre, love and women. There are also sketches, such as "London Pastoral" which tells of the joys of London in the spring, "Family Album" about relatives who "were not excessively bright", and a scene with excerpts from several of Coward's plays, such as Private Lives
.
It ran Off-Broadway
in 1972, in London in 1975 and on Broadway
in 1986. Also in 1972 a revue along similar lines, Cowardy Custard
played in London.
on October 4, 1972 and was one of the last Noël Coward shows staged during his life. It played for 294 performances at the New Theatre
. Its cast included Barbara Cason
, Jamie Ross
and Roderick Cook
, who also directed the revue. A London production opened on 5 June 1975 at the Criterion Theatre
, starring Cook, Ross and Geraldine McEwan
, and ran until 2 August 1975. The show later played on Broadway
beginning on November 17, 1986 at the Helen Hayes Theatre
, where it ran for 56 performances. Again directed by and starring Cook, the cast also featured Catherine Cox
and Patrick Quinn
. The production received two Tony Award
nominations, Best Actor and Actress in a Musical for Cook and Cox.
Of the London production, Michael Billington
of The Guardian
wrote, "the star performer is undeniably Mr Cook himself... with a dangerous tooth-baring smile... he delivers each syllable of each song with a clinical, omniscient precision. Geraldine McEwan, willowy and acidulous in white satin, likewise realises that merciless articulation is the key to Coward performing, and Jamie Ross amiably makes up the trio in the manner of someone completing a country house party." The New York Times review of the 1986 production noted, "The performance is determinedly low-key and genteel, in keeping with its source. Neither in the selection of material nor in the performances does the show overstep into self-parody, as is often the case in other musical anthologies. As before, Mr. Cook lets Coward speak and sing for himself, which he does, trippingly."
A review of the original cast recording compared it with the contemporary London show, Cowardy Custard
: "The formula is much the same, a show made out of Noël Coward's writing and composing. Where it differs is that Cowardy Custard was a carefully co-ordinated revue, this is more of a cabaret entertainment, the songs being delivered by the three performers without, as far as one can judge from the recording, any attempt at staging, accompanied by two pianos, bass, drums and percussion... the Coward enthusiast will note the first recording ever of his early trio 'Bright Young People'."
Act 1
Act 2
Revue
A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century American popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own during its golden years from 1916 to 1932...
in two acts devised by Roderick Cook
Roderick Cook
Roderick Cook was an English playwright, writer, theatre director and actor of stage, television and film...
and containing music and lyrics by Noël Coward
Noël Coward
Sir Noël Peirce Coward was an English playwright, composer, director, actor and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what Time magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and chic, pose and poise".Born in Teddington, a suburb of London, Coward attended a dance academy...
. The revue consists of two men and one woman in formal dress, performing songs based on the following themes: England, family album, travel, theatre, love and women. There are also sketches, such as "London Pastoral" which tells of the joys of London in the spring, "Family Album" about relatives who "were not excessively bright", and a scene with excerpts from several of Coward's plays, such as Private Lives
Private Lives
Private Lives is a 1930 comedy of manners in three acts by Noël Coward. It focuses on a divorced couple 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...
.
It ran Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
in 1972, in London in 1975 and on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
in 1986. Also in 1972 a revue along similar lines, Cowardy Custard
Cowardy Custard
Cowardy Custard is a musical revue and was one of the last Noël Coward shows staged during his life. It was devised by Gerard Frow, Alan Strachan and Wendy Toye. A book, also titled Cowardy Custard, was published in connection with the revue, similarly celebrating the Coward image.The biographical...
played in London.
Productions
The revue premiered Off-BroadwayOff-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
on October 4, 1972 and was one of the last Noël Coward shows staged during his life. It played for 294 performances at the New Theatre
New Theatre (New York City)
The New Theatre was an Off-Broadway theatre in New York City that was active during the 1960s and 1970s. Located at 154 E 54th St, the theatre opened in 1964 with the American premiere of Ann Jellicoe's The Knack...
. Its cast included Barbara Cason
Barbara Cason
Barbara Cason was an American character actress. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, she began her career appearing in theatre and on local television in Memphis during the 1950s, where she notably co-founded and ran the Front St. Theatre.She relocated to New York City in 1967, becoming active in theatre...
, Jamie Ross
Jamie Ross
Jamie Ross is a fictional character on the TV drama Law & Order, created by Rene Balcer and portrayed by Carey Lowell from 1996 to 1998. She also appears in the short-lived Law & Order spin-off Law & Order: Trial By Jury, by which time the character has become a judge.-As series regular:The...
and Roderick Cook
Roderick Cook
Roderick Cook was an English playwright, writer, theatre director and actor of stage, television and film...
, who also directed the revue. A London production opened on 5 June 1975 at the Criterion Theatre
Criterion Theatre
The Criterion Theatre is a West End theatre situated on Piccadilly Circus in the City of Westminster, and is a Grade II* listed building. It has an official capacity of 588.-Building the theatre:...
, starring Cook, Ross and Geraldine McEwan
Geraldine McEwan
Geraldine McEwan is an English actor with a diverse history in theatre, film, and television. From 2004 to 2009 she appeared as Miss Marple, the Agatha Christie sleuth, for the series Marple.-Background:...
, and ran until 2 August 1975. The show later played on Broadway
The Broadway Theatre
The Broadway Theatre is a Broadway theatre located at 1681 Broadway in midtown-Manhattan....
beginning on November 17, 1986 at the Helen Hayes Theatre
Helen Hayes Theatre
Helen Hayes Theatre with 597 seats is the smallest Broadway theatre and is located at 240 West 44th Street in midtown-Manhattan....
, where it ran for 56 performances. Again directed by and starring Cook, the cast also featured Catherine Cox
Catherine Cox (actress)
Catherine Cox is an American actress. A regular on the Broadway stage in the 1980s, Cox's credits include the original Ethel McCormack in the production of Footloose, the musical Oh Coward!, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, and...
and Patrick Quinn
Patrick Quinn
Patrick Dominic Quinn was an American actor and a former president of the Actors' Equity Association. Quinn's father was a mortician....
. The production received two Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
nominations, Best Actor and Actress in a Musical for Cook and Cox.
Of the London production, Michael Billington
Michael Billington (critic)
Michael Keith Billington is a British author and arts critic. Drama critic of The Guardian since October 1971, he is "Britain's longest-serving theatre critic" and the author of biographical and critical studies relating to British theatre and the arts; most notably, he is the authorised...
of The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
wrote, "the star performer is undeniably Mr Cook himself... with a dangerous tooth-baring smile... he delivers each syllable of each song with a clinical, omniscient precision. Geraldine McEwan, willowy and acidulous in white satin, likewise realises that merciless articulation is the key to Coward performing, and Jamie Ross amiably makes up the trio in the manner of someone completing a country house party." The New York Times review of the 1986 production noted, "The performance is determinedly low-key and genteel, in keeping with its source. Neither in the selection of material nor in the performances does the show overstep into self-parody, as is often the case in other musical anthologies. As before, Mr. Cook lets Coward speak and sing for himself, which he does, trippingly."
A review of the original cast recording compared it with the contemporary London show, Cowardy Custard
Cowardy Custard
Cowardy Custard is a musical revue and was one of the last Noël Coward shows staged during his life. It was devised by Gerard Frow, Alan Strachan and Wendy Toye. A book, also titled Cowardy Custard, was published in connection with the revue, similarly celebrating the Coward image.The biographical...
: "The formula is much the same, a show made out of Noël Coward's writing and composing. Where it differs is that Cowardy Custard was a carefully co-ordinated revue, this is more of a cabaret entertainment, the songs being delivered by the three performers without, as far as one can judge from the recording, any attempt at staging, accompanied by two pianos, bass, drums and percussion... the Coward enthusiast will note the first recording ever of his early trio 'Bright Young People'."
Songs
Note: Partial listAct 1
- Medley
- "Something To Do With Spring"
- "Bright Young People"
- "Poor Little Rich Girl"
- "Zigeuner"
- "Let's Say Goodbye"
- "This Is A Changing World"
- "We Were Dancing"
- "Dance Little Lady"
- "A Room With A View"
- "Sail Away"
- "The End of the News"
- "The Stately Homes of England"
- "London Pride"
- "Family Album"
- "The Music Hall" medley
- "Chase Me, Charlie"
- "Saturday Night at the Rose and Crown"
- "The Island of Bolamazoo"
- "What Ho! Mrs. Brisket"
- "Has Anybody Seen Our Ship?"
- "Men About Town"
- "If Love Were All"
- "Why Do The Wrong People Travel?"
- "Mrs. Worthington"
Act 2
- "Mad Dogs and Englishmen"
- "A Marvelous Party"
- "You Were There"
- "I Am No Good At Love"
- "Sex Talk"
- "A Question of Lighting"
- "Mad About the Boy"
- "Nina"
- "In A Bar On The Piccola Marina"
- "World Weary"
- Finale-Medley
- "Where Are The Songs We Sang?"
- "Someday I'll Find You"
- "If Love Were All"
- "Play, Orchestra, Play"