Coward The Playwright

by John Lahr

A reissue in hardback of critic John Lahr's famous 1982 study of Noël Coward's plays



"Noël Coward," said Terence Rattigan, "is simply a phenomenon, and one that is unlikely to occur ever again in theatre history." A phenomenon he certainly was, and it is part of John Lahr's purpose in this book to show how that phenomenon called "Noël Coward" was largely Coward's own careful creation. Lahr's penetrating critical study of Coward's drama investigates all the major and minor plays of "The Master". Private Lives, Design for Living and Hay Fever make a fascinating group of "Comedies of Bad Manners". Blithe Spirit and Relative Values raise the "Ghost in the Fun Machine". Lahr then goes on to explore the "politics of charm" oozing through The Vortex, Easy Virtue and Present Laughter. In all Coward's plays Lahr uncovers a coherent philosophy in which charm is both the subject of Coward's comedies and the trap which made his very public life a perpetual performance. "A smashing, thoughtful and very good guide to Coward's plays" (Sheridan Morley)

198 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

John Lahr is the senior drama critic of The New Yorker, where he has written about theatre and popular culture since 1992. Among his eighteen books are Notes on a Cowardly Lion: The Biography of Bert Lahr and Prick Up Your Ears: The Biography of Joe Orton, which was made into a film.

He has twice won the George Jean Nathan Award for Dramatic Criticism. Lahr, whose stage adaptations have been performed around the world, received a Tony Award for co-writing Elaine Stritch at Liberty.

He divides his time between London and New York.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Lahr expertly slips inside Noel Coward's head and hears how his mind ticks in creating his classic comedies as an playwright, actor and composer. The book is heavy in detail regarding Coward's plays that it's helpful to have read and/or seen his works to fully digest all the material. I appreciated Coward after reading the book and have a greater interest in his lyrics.

[Duff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really excellent analysis of Coward's plays and speculation on the social and psychological issues in Coward's life that lead to them. At first, I was not impressed by the book. But, after some reflection and going back to review a couple of analyses, I have moved it to 4 stars.

[Luke Devenish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful. Lahr gets Coward like very few others. The chapter on charm and Coward's life long professional exploration of it is fantastic, as is all the stuff on Coward's public self vs his private one. Endlessly quotable! A boon for all scholars.