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Full Description
In five dexterously argued chapters, John Lahr investigates all the major plays and many of Noel Coward's lesser-known pieces. Hay Fever, Private Lives, and Design for Living, for instance, make a fascinating group of "Comedies of Bad Manners." Blithe Spirit and Relative Values raise the "Ghost in the Fun Machine." And Lahr explores the "politics of charm" oozing through The Vortex, Easy Virtue, and Present Laughter. Further chapters consider the patriotic plays like Cavalcade and This Happy Breed and examples of Coward's later work, such as Waiting in the Wings and A Song at Twilight. In all Coward's stage work, Lahr detects a coherent philosophy in which charm is both the subject of Coward's comedies and the trap that makes his very public life a perpetual performance.
Contents
List of Illustrations Acknowledgements Noel Coward--Chronology Introduction--Impresario of Himself 1. THE POLITICS OF CHARM The Young Idea The Vortex Easy Virtue Present Laughter 2. COMEDIES OF BAD MANNERS Hay Fever Private Lives Design for Living Hands Across the Sea 3. 'SAVONAROLA IN EVENING DRESS'? Cavalcade This Happy Breed In Which We Serve 4. GHOSTS IN THE FUN MACHINE Blithe Spirit Relative Values Nide with Violin 5. PARTING SHOTS Waiting in the Wings A Song at Twilight Notes Bibliography Index
