Noel Coward: Seven Full-Cast BBC Radio Productions

by Noël Coward, Alex Jennings (Narrator), Bill Nighy (Narrator)

Seven BBC radio full-cast productions of Noël Coward’s classic plays – plus bonus material including a profile of Coward and extracts from his diaries

Renowned for his wit, style and sophistication, Noël Coward was one of the greatest playwrights of the twentieth century. His plays, set in the glittering world of high society in which he lived, are much admired and have remained in the popular theatre repertoire to this day.

This collection brings together the very best radio adaptations of Coward’s works, encompassing sparkling comedies of manners Private Lives and Hay Fever , farcical ghost story Blithe Spirit, and daring ménage à trois drama Design for Living. Here, too, is his controversial first hit The Vortex ; the poignant Still Life (the inspiration for the film Brief Encounter); and the semi-autobiographical Present Laughter .

Among the star-studded cast are Helena Bonham-Carter, Bill Nighy, Judi Dench, Celia Imrie, Roger Allam, Harriet Walter, Paul Rhys, Stephanie Cole and Paul Scofield.

Also included is a BBC World Service profile of Noël Coward, comprising interviews, musical extracts and archive clips; and the BBC Radio 4 programme ‘From His Diaries’, featuring a selection of passages from Coward’s journal read by Simon Cadell.

Private Lives
Amanda…Helena Bonham-Carter
Elyot…Bill Nighy
Sibyl…Andrea Riseborough
Victor…Paul Ritter
Louise…AnnaRose Cattanach
Directed by Sally Avens

Hay Fever
Judith Bliss…Judi Dench
David Bliss…Michael Williams
Richard Greatham…Geoffrey Palmer
Marya Arundel…Celia Imrie
Jackie Coryton…Patricia Brake
Sandy Tyrell…Christopher Blake
Simon Bliss…Patrick Pearson
Sorel Bliss…Alison Reid
Qara…Patricia Hayes
Directed by Leslie Lawton

Blithe Spirit
Charles…Roger Allam
Madame Arcati…Maggie Steed
Elvira…Zoe Waites
Ruth…Hermione Gulliford
Dr Bradman…David Killick
Mrs Bradman…Tilly Tremayne
Edith…Natalie Cassidy
Dramatised by Bert Coules
Directed by Philip Franks

Design for Living
Gilda…Cheryl Campbell
Otto…Alex Jennings
Leo…Michael Kitchen
Ernest Friedman…James Laurenson
Mr Birbeck…Alan Barker
Henry Carver…Bradley Lavell
Miss Hodge/Helen…Joanna Myers
Grace Torrence…Linda Marlowe
Directed by Ned Chaillet
Pianist: Jimmy Hardwick

The Vortex
Florence Lancaster…Harriet Walter
Nicky…Paul Rhys
Helen…Frances Jeater
Pawnie…John Rye
Clara Hibbert…Jenny Funnell
Tom Veryan…Robert Portal
David Lancaster…Peter Blythe
Bunty Mainwaring…Federay Holmes
Bruce Fairlight…Keith Drinkel
Preston…Pamela Grace
Directed by John Tydeman
Pianist: Mike Sykes

Still Life
Laura Lesson…Amanda Root
Dr Alec Harvey…John Duttine
Myrtle Bagott…Stephanie Cole
Albert Godby…Trevor Peacock
Beryl Waters/Lady on Train…Sunny Ormonde
Stanley…Brian Parr
Dolly Messiter…Josephine Tewson
Bill…Richard Curnow
Johnny/Guard…Malcolm McKee
Dramatised by Malcolm McKee
Directed by Sue Wilson
Music composed by Malcolm McKee

Present Laughter
Gary Essendine…Paul Scofield
Liz Essendine…Joy Parker
Monica Reed…Patricia Routledge
Joanna Lyppiatt…Fenella Fielding
Henry Lyppiatt…Alan Rowe
Morris Dixon…Bernard Joyner
Daphne Stillington…Miriam Margolyes
Lady Saltburn…Betty Huntley-Wright
Fred…Timothy Bateson
Miss Erikson…Diana Olsson
Roland Maule…David Timson
Dramatised and produced by Ian Cotterell

Duration: 14 hours approx.

Genres: Plays, Comedy

12 pages, Audible Audio

First published August 2, 2018

About the author

Sir Noël Peirce Coward was an English actor, playwright, and composer of popular music. Among his achievements, he received an Academy Certificate of Merit at the 1943 Academy Awards for "outstanding production achievement for In Which We Serve."

Known for his wit, flamboyance, and personal style, his plays and songs achieved new popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, and his work and style continue to influence popular culture. The former Albery Theatre (originally the New Theatre) in London was renamed the Noël Coward Theatre in his honour in 2006.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love radio type shows like these. They were well acted and great to listen to.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this. Some of the plays were less memorable ( hence four stars), but the addition of a Coward bio and diary excerpts were much better than I expected. The plays are basically snapshots of early 20th century British (upper class) life. Quirky situations, like Wodehouse, but more internal struggle and angst. Many familiar voices and very well produced.

[Emma Dargue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good productions of noel cowards plays followed by autobiography and extracts from his diary. Well known actors including Celia imrie,judi dench,Alex Jennings and Michael kitchen.

[Kristi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite some marvelous actors - Helena Bonham Carter, Judi Dench.... I really only loved one of the plays - Still Life which was made into the film Brief Encounter. I normally really enjoy listening to plays, but part of the problem with this collection was the sound quality. Some times the dialogue was garbled - other instances I could hear the male voice clearly but not the softer female voice. The part I enjoyed most after Still Life was the biographical notes on Noël Coward at the end. Mild recommendation. Kristi & Abby Tabby

[Dan Hennessy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't know what to give this one! Some of these plays are better than others. Private Lives, Blithe Spirit and Still Life are really great (hence the 4); the others range from fine to a little dull in my opinion. At its worst, I felt like I was just listening to posh people arguing for an hour and a half

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant introduction to a brilliant playwright, I look forward to reading more of Noel Coward's work