Noel and Gertie

Synopsis

Story of the friendship of thespians Coward and Lawrence. Noel Coward and actress Gertrude Lawrence first met in 1913 when he was 13 and she 14. During the 1930's they created stage history with the legendary partnership on Noel's plays Private Lives and Tonight at 8.30. Noel and Gertie is the story of their remarkable 40-year friendship. It is inspired by the songs, plays, letters, poems, films and diaries of Noel Coward, and by both his and Gertie's biographies.

Our Review:

3 October 2011

One cannot expect to attend a play about Noel Coward and Gertie Lawrence and not receive a heaped dose of witty repartee; naturally, Noel and Gertie doesn’t disappoint on that level, liberally doused as it is with excerpts of the playwright’s own work.

A thoroughly enchanting two hours, Noel and Gertie is splendidly performed by Ben Stock and Helena Blackman, pulling the audience through their history from first meeting as touring theatre children to the inevitable culmination of their story.

Helena Blackman is beautiful - doll-like even - under the lights. Close your eyes and listen to the lilting trills as she sings and you can practically hear a ghostly gramophone needle scratching. Ben Stock is a brilliant foil, dancing between Coward’s acerbic humour and gentle admiration of his almost life-long working partner.

However, despite the superb performances – and they truly are so – there is something too ...

Read more of the review

Latest User Review

Gareth James - 2 October 2011:

Producer Danielle Tarento and Director Thom Sutherland follow their hugely successful revival of Parade at Southwark Playhouse with something completely different, Sheridan Morley¡¯s sophisticated entertainment telling the story of the relationship between Noel Coward and Gertrude Lawrence, at a North West London venue that has been quiet for some time. Morley expertly weaves together narrative, correspondence and Coward songs with extracts from the only two plays they did together (Private Lives and Tonight at 8.30) plus Blithe Spirit, which Lawrence also acted in. This actually gives you a surprisingly full account of the relationship. Though there¡¯s no set designer credited, they¡¯ve created a stylish 1920¡äs /30¡äs space which is lit very well by Howard Hudson. Ben Stock is a very good Coward, playing piano live on some numbers (though this did make the recorded piano on other numbers sound rather flat) and sometime Maria, Helena Blackman, is delightful as Lawrence, delivering in all departments ¨C acting, comedy, dance but especially song. Sutherland¡¯s direction is faithful and respectful of the material, stylish and period perfect, subtly balancing the narrative, comedy, dance and song. This is the sort of show we rarely see these days and some might find it rather fusty and dated. For me, it¡¯s a very welcome and long overdue revival of this 28-year old show that compliments other musical fare on the fringe. ...

Read more and add your own review

Related Whatsonstage.com Articles

Brief Encounter With ... Helena Blackman More»