The Noel Coward Diaries: With a Foreword by Stephen Fry

by Sheridan Morley

'A gold mine of gossip with a cast of thousands' GUARDIAN

The unexpurgated diaries of one of the greatest, most talented, and wittily flamboyant characters of the 20th century - with a new introduction by Stephen Fry

'Compulsive reading' SUNDAY TIMES

'19th February 1956. A A Milne has died. Lord Beaverbrook has not ... Larry is going to make a movie of The Sleeping Prince with Marilyn Monroe, which might conceivably drive him round the bend'

'28th February 1960 Princess Margaret has announced her engagement to Tony Armstrong-Jones ... He looks quite pretty, but whether or not the marriage is entirely suitable remains to be seen.'

Noel Coward was a renowned actor, dramatist, director - and star. His incredible zest, versatility and unrivalled wit are revealed in these diaries, with a cast of characters ranging from The Beatles to the Queen, Churchill to Marilyn Monroe.

Touching, funny and revealing, THE NOEL COWARD DIARIES is a superb account of one of the greatest entertainers of all time.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Diary, Memoir, LGBT, Autobiography

726 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 1982

About the author

Sheridan A. Morley (5 December 1941 − 16 February 2007) was an English author, biographer, critic and broadcaster. He was the official biographer of Sir John Gielgud and wrote biographies of many other theatrical figures he had known, including Noël Coward.

Morley was the eldest son of actor Robert Morley and grandson, via his mother Joan Buckmaster, of the actress Dame Gladys Cooper.

Reviews

[Micah Cummins · Rating 4 out of 5]

50th book of 2022

I was introduced to Noel Coward earlier this year when I read three of his plays (Blithe Spirit, Hay Fever and Private Lives) that I picked up at the bookstore. I immediately fell in love with his witty, sophisticated dialogues, and lively characters. One of my favorite thing did reading collections of diaries and letters, being able to read about someone’s life from their own personal view of the world. This was a fabulous read. I devoured the whole book in one sitting. Coward is as lively in his personal writings as he is with his plays. A true joy to read and re-read.

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b055pgp2

Description: Extracts read by Simon Cadell reveal the playwright's strong opinions on England and Englishness. With Graham Payne. From April 1996.

The BBC is swamping us with Noël Coward at the moment. These diaries are condensed into three thirty minute episodes.


3* The Diaries
4* Blithe Spirit
5* Private Lives
3* Present Laughter
2* The Vortex
3* Brief Encounter
2* This Happy Breed
CR Nude with Violin
CR Suite in Three Keys

[Fiona Compton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been reading The Noel Coward Diaries edited by Graham Payn and Sheridan Morley and am nearly at the end of this large volume of over 650 pages. The diaries extend from 1941 ( before my birth) to 1969 when Noel Coward was about to be knighted.

I found this a fascinating book which gave a clear view into Noel Coward’s busy and successful life. I dare say that he might have had a fair inkling that these diaries would be published after his death, but despite this, he did not pull any punches in what he said about people he met; plays, films, concerts and operas he attended; and books he read.
He was a hard worker. He took roles in films and plays, performed in cabaret, and was always busy writing a new play or novel. He travelled extensively, and although he had many famous friends in theatre and royal circles, his inner circle of intimate friends was small and he remained loyal to them throughout his life.

By the time his diary reached the nineteen-sixties his health was deteriorating. He was sad that Graham Payn was not making a success in his stage career and wrote a touching entry about Graham on 24 November 1966, “He has a loving and loyal heart and no future anywhere but with me... ”

I saw Noel Coward in his last West End performance in 1966 – Shadows of the Evening and Come into the Garden, Maud at the Queen’s Theatre. His co-stars were Irene Worth and Lilli Palmer. Apparently Irene Worth could do no wrong, while Lilli Palmer presented him with numerous irritating problems during the run of the play. I will always remember seeing a chaffeur-driven Rolls Royce arriving at the stage door to fetch Noel Coward after his performance. He waved graciously at the hoi polloi as the car drove off.

Noel Coward died in 1973. On the day of his death, British tenor, Webster Booth was in East London directing The Mikado. He and I were having tea and cream scones at Marina Glen that afternoon and spoke of him.

I can recommend this book to anyone interested in the inner workings of the theatre. Noel Coward’s diary is beautifully written and gives fascinating insights into the theatre, the critics, and the vagaries of a number of famous performers, by a multi-talented performer, writer and composer who certainly deserved the title of The Master.

[Nisha-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this man. And reading these diaries was like living with him and that was so wonderful that I dawdled for ages because I just didn't want to be without him.

This showed me how ruthlessly professional how he was, how inspiring that attitude is. How unfailingly generous he was with his caring, learning so many lessons the hard way. How stern as he was, he never took himself too seriously and was always aware of the absurdity of his profession. It bewilders me that some people found him a diva in these entries. To me, that's pure artistic certainty. Really, can people not tell the difference?

I was dreading a decline in spirits towards the end of the diaries, fearing his death. But Noel's too clever and wonderful and sensibly caring for that. The diaries end on the highest point ever and I just wanted to hug myself and hug the book because after decades of service to the Crown and to the artistic community, Noel Coward was knighted precisely ten years to the day I was born. I feel this gives us a special connection, yes.

The only reason you should read these diaries --- or any personal papers of a celebrity --- is if you already love the person. If not, really why are you wasting your time? You're not equipped for the experience and I'm not sure you deserve that intimacy.

[Cathal Boylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating account of the great man's later years post WWII and through the swinging sixties. What a life he lived: almost every day was seemingly a whirlwind of lunch with the Queen and/or Queen Mother, drinks with Churchill, dinner with Dali and then the theatre with Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier or Marlene Dietrich. Oh, and then a party late in to the night, of course. He did well to last until 73.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

From BBC Radio 4 - 4 Extra Debut:
Extracts read by Simon Cadell reveal the playwright's strong opinions on England and Englishness. With Graham Payne. From April 1996.

[Judith Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh dear, dear Noel! What an enormously enjoyable read your Diaries have been! After reading every word of Samuel Pepys' Diary I decided to carry on with diary readings as a little bedtime dessert item after the main course book, and I have to say, yours has been a lot more fun!!

I have a long list of quotes noted at the back of the book which I treasure, and I will now be digging out my 1980s vinyls of Noel singing and talking about theatre to listen to again after some years on the shelf. I also plan to read some of Noel's books and letters.

To quote the glorious Lily Von Stumpf* (played by the immortal Madeleine Kahn) in Blazing Saddles: "What a nice guy!"

(* incidentally, a comedic pastiche of Marlene Dietrich, an old buddy of Noel's).

[Sherwood Smith]

Gossipy, revealing and concealing by turns, intelligent, bewitching, off-putting, altogether fascinating.

Favorite quote:

"…I wonder how long this trend of dreariness for the sake of dreariness sake will last. Apparently, in the minds of the critics and intelligentsia, significance and importance can only be achieved by concentrating on unhappiness, psychopathic confusion and general dismay. No lightness is permissible. For these misguided souls it is obviously much to be deplored that the great public refuse to be impressed by the Brechts and the Anouilhs and all the rest of the defeatists and continue unregenerately to enjoy being amused in the theatre…"

—Noel Coward, 17 Feb 1957

[Frances Bell · Rating 1 out of 5]

What an arrogant diva he was. I expected something more interesting than a list of who was at what parties. Admittedly there was the odd flash of humour but really - this just showed how insufferable he would have been to spend any time with. As I said - a diva who looked down at his nose at anything not written or performed by himself. Additionally, he had no compassion for those who were truly suffering. He didn't like to see people getting upset - not because he had any sympathy but because he seemed to consider it bad form - and he had no time at all for those who came to grips with depression or genuine mental instability (like Vivien Leigh). I don't like him and I couldn't stand to read this without skimming whole chapters once his character became evident.

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was a fascinating read. However, I found his personality to be very arrogant. He sure was full of himself. His judgements of people were a bit snobbish whether positive or negative judgements. I found myself asking the question, what gives him the right to judge and rate people as frequently as he did? He almost acted as if he was above everyone else and had this entitlement to state his opinion on people. Very off putting and I would not want to have been in his company because he clearly either likes you or doesn't care for you. I would have been fearful for being silently judged. On the other hand, he was extremely observant. I found it disturbing that he was completely unsympathetic to Vivien Leigh who was clearly very mentally ill. Yes, Larry Olivier had it tough, but it's not as if Vivien could help herself. She was not in her right mind most of the time. The excerpts from the downfall of their marriage were the most interesting part of the book. I thought Noel's ideas on theatre, film and books were interesting. Overall, I could not put the book down, but that's because his pre madonna personality kept it interesting.

[Amos O'Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hate to admit it but I LOVE gossip. I wish I didn't but there you go. Therefore I loved this book and I loved Noel Coward, someone I would not have been able to recognise before now. I found it fascinating, never boring, and unlike some, came away with a huge respect for his genius, his kindness and his ability to write. What stands out more than anything is the man's enthusiasm and energy. Migod he kept busy. How the times have changed; this man travelled the world when it tooks days and weeks to get anywhere, it was a slower pace when people could stop and think and use that time so well. Nowadays we are across the other side of the world in less than a day, but none the wiser or richer for it.
Yes Noel does proclaim his own genius more than once, and some may find this obnoxious, but to be perfectly honest, he WAS a genius and deserved every accolade. Well done, Mr Coward, I shall read much more about your incredible life.

[Harrison Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thankfully, there was a period of time when keeping diaries was a normal part of many people's lives. As a result, we have this wonderful edition of Noel Coward's diaries providing dish, wit, and wisdom over several decades of his life. I was amazed at how many celebrities, cognoscenti, literati, and members of the royal family he routinely interacted with. He was not afraid to express admiration when it felt it was deserved, but also frank derision for others. He was a workhorse, producing dozens of plays (performed to this day), as well as other literary pieces. His diary is written with the same wit of his popular works. However, he also commented on the issues of the day, such as politics, the war(s), and social issues. As a result, it provides an interesting read on the world from the end of World War II until 1969.

[Paul Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never been a real Coward fan and found his diaries madding at times and wonderful at others. It was not a book I really wanted to pick up and not put down. His ego is HUGE as is his opinion of his work. Self centered. Ultra conservative. But witty and, at times, insightful about theatre and politics.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very few selected entries from 1941-45 and everything else from 1945-1969. Fun and interesting commentary on culture and dramatic arts. Coward apparently was actually quite conservative!

Great insight into climate of post-war British culture; lots of good gossip, too. Would not call this diary as entertaining or as valuable as "The Letters of Noel Coward," Barry Day, editor.

[Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Master's life in his own words with compelling and one suspects truthful diaries

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delightful to dip into, not something to read right through.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someone I would have liked to know.

[Peter Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good.A full rounded picture of an interesting man