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Star Quality
Coward's 'forgotten' play, published to tie in with its world premiere.
In his wickedly funny final play, NöeI Coward takes us behind the scenes of a new West End production. Conjuring up an authentic backstage world of talent and treachery, Coward creates a gallery of unforgettable characters; temperamental leading lady, ruthless director, jaded old troupers and, caught somewhere between them all, innocent young playwright. From tentative first rehearsal to triumphant opening night, the clash of egos becomes increasingly and hilariously bloody. But what emerges from the mayhem is a startling evocation of that most elusive gift of all - star quality.
This edition, adapted by Chris Luscombe and introduced by Sheridan Morley, is published to coincide with the play's West End premiere in October 2001.
In his wickedly funny final play, NöeI Coward takes us behind the scenes of a new West End production. Conjuring up an authentic backstage world of talent and treachery, Coward creates a gallery of unforgettable characters; temperamental leading lady, ruthless director, jaded old troupers and, caught somewhere between them all, innocent young playwright. From tentative first rehearsal to triumphant opening night, the clash of egos becomes increasingly and hilariously bloody. But what emerges from the mayhem is a startling evocation of that most elusive gift of all - star quality.
This edition, adapted by Chris Luscombe and introduced by Sheridan Morley, is published to coincide with the play's West End premiere in October 2001.
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1951
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About the author
Noël Coward
429 books217 followersSir 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 3, 2013
An early-season flu has sent me to bed for the past five days. Between torpor and misery, I managed to find myself in the most delightful company - Sir Noel Coward. This collection of stories is something I have had for at least twenty years, and pull out on occasions such as this, when escapist fantasy is just what the doctor ordered.
In truth, there is more to Coward than delicious bonbons and the vicissitudes of the international jet set. Some are surprisingly tart. "The Kindness of Mrs. Radcliffe" is a searing portrait of a village dowager whose petty cruelties are comfortably wrapped in her own sense of moral entitlement. "What Mad Pursuit" seems a savage lampoon of Ugly American socialites; one suspects that Coward has himself suffered some of the indignities heaped upon his hapless traveling playwright.
Many people now imagine Coward to be little more than a trifle, a gadfly from a wealthy era best forgotten. I cannot agree, for he is a master wordsmith, a true teller of tales, and one with a keen eye into the social nuances of an era every bit as socially vicious and upward-striving as our own. "Nature Study" gives an all-too-accurate picture of a young girl with looks but not much money; she makes a disastrous marriage to a wealthy man with a penchant for young men. "The Wooden Madonna" is astonishing for its time in its clear-eyed depiction of a gay love affair gone horribly wrong, leaving one man alone, bereft and impoverished when his lover takes up with another.
In the introduction, Dame Edith Siwtwell says there "are no short stories written in our time that I admire more." I thoroughly agree.
In truth, there is more to Coward than delicious bonbons and the vicissitudes of the international jet set. Some are surprisingly tart. "The Kindness of Mrs. Radcliffe" is a searing portrait of a village dowager whose petty cruelties are comfortably wrapped in her own sense of moral entitlement. "What Mad Pursuit" seems a savage lampoon of Ugly American socialites; one suspects that Coward has himself suffered some of the indignities heaped upon his hapless traveling playwright.
Many people now imagine Coward to be little more than a trifle, a gadfly from a wealthy era best forgotten. I cannot agree, for he is a master wordsmith, a true teller of tales, and one with a keen eye into the social nuances of an era every bit as socially vicious and upward-striving as our own. "Nature Study" gives an all-too-accurate picture of a young girl with looks but not much money; she makes a disastrous marriage to a wealthy man with a penchant for young men. "The Wooden Madonna" is astonishing for its time in its clear-eyed depiction of a gay love affair gone horribly wrong, leaving one man alone, bereft and impoverished when his lover takes up with another.
In the introduction, Dame Edith Siwtwell says there "are no short stories written in our time that I admire more." I thoroughly agree.
March 12, 2019
Most of it were nice little stories. None majorly wowed me but they were great little tales of their time periods. He does have a good solid writing style. I think the majority of these are placed in the 1930's and many are more interesting as character studies of a type of person. H e is very good at writing those.
September 3, 2021
Gay partners (not sure why I made that note when I first read this.) Ugly angry scene. Lots of in-jokes about theater. Complicated lighting. Too serious. Not for us. But it has a great quote: "We're putting on a play, not fighting a bloody war. Why can't people in the theatre behave like normal human beings?"
Want to read
November 23, 20121) The Wooden Madonna
2) Traveler's Joy
3) Aunt Tittie
4) What Mad Pursuit?
5) Cheap Excursion
6) The Kindness of Mrs. Radcliffe
7) Nature Study
8) A Richer Dust
9) Mr. and Mrs. Edgehill
10) Stop Me If You've Heard It
11) Ashes of Roses
12) This Time Tomorrow
13) Star Quality
14) Pretty Polly
15) Mrs. Caper's Birthday
16) Me and the Girls
17) Solali
18) Mrs. Ebony
19) Penny Dreadful
20) Bon Voyage
2) Traveler's Joy
3) Aunt Tittie
4) What Mad Pursuit?
5) Cheap Excursion
6) The Kindness of Mrs. Radcliffe
7) Nature Study
8) A Richer Dust
9) Mr. and Mrs. Edgehill
10) Stop Me If You've Heard It
11) Ashes of Roses
12) This Time Tomorrow
13) Star Quality
14) Pretty Polly
15) Mrs. Caper's Birthday
16) Me and the Girls
17) Solali
18) Mrs. Ebony
19) Penny Dreadful
20) Bon Voyage
November 6, 2011
A well adapted play based on a short story by Noël Coward. Congratualtions to Christopher Luscome for writing this adaptation.
June 19, 2014
Short, sweet and wickedly funny. A great introduction to Sir Coward and his work :)
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews