The Complete Verse of Noel Coward

Noël Coward

2011-09 · A&C Black

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The Complete Verse of Noël Coward brings together the three volumes of verse produced during his lifetime together with previously unpublished material for the very first time. For the legions of fans of The Master, this definitive collection of Coward's verse writings will prove irresistible.

'Throughout most of the years of my life, since approximately 1908, I have derived a considerable amount of private pleasure from writing verse . . . It is an inherent instinct in the English character.' Beginning with his youthful verse experiments, The Complete Verse arranges in themed chapters Coward's prolific public and personal verse writings. Chapters bring together his verse on a wide variety of subjects including war, the theatre, love, friends, travel, and God and the infinite.

It features the satirical 'cod-pieces' - Chelsea Buns and Spangled Unicorn - and the verse collected in the 1967 volume Not Yet the Dodo. But alongside these are the verses sent to friends and family over many years, in letters, memos and cables, which paint a vivid portrait of his more private life and are published here for the first time.

With a linking commentary by editor Barry Day and sprinkled with illustrations throughout, The Complete Verse offers to Coward readers further enjoyment and appreciation of his wit, insatiable interest in people and skilful rendering of his public and private lives.

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Noël Coward (1899-1973) was a consummate and prolific playwright, writer, actor and performer who was knighted in 1970. Among his best known and most revived works are the plays The Vortex, Hayfever, Private Lives and Blithe Spirit. Barry Day has written extensively on Noël Coward. His most recent works are the acclaimed, The Letters of Noël Coward and In His Own Words. He was awarded an OBE for services to British Culture in the US.