‘Masquerade: The Lives of Noel Coward’ by Oliver Soden

My Review (5 stars out of 5)

(Audiobook)

As a playwright, Noel Coward is best known for his most popular stage plays ‘Private Lives’, ‘Hay Fever’ and ‘Blithe Spirit’, though he wrote many works that are largely unfamiliar to the theatre-going public. He also wrote novels, screenplays and serious and comic songs, such as ‘Mad About the Boy’ and ‘Mad Dogs and Englishman’. This biography tells us about the real Noel Coward – his life, relationships and his opinions.

Although many people will only know Coward from his appearance with Michael Caine in the classic heist caper, ‘The Italian Job’, I first came across his writing in the film version of ‘Blithe Spirit’, starring Rex Harrison and Margaret Rutherford, one of my all-time favourite movies. This book also reminded me that he penned ‘Brief Encounter’ (from his short play, Still Life) and appeared in classic British wartime movies, ‘This Happy Breed’ and ‘In Which We Serve’, as well as ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’ and ‘Our Man in Havana’.

Oliver Soden has written an entertaining and well-researched book that uncovers the life of this highly talented and influential writer. While the format – written as a series of stage plays – didn’t quite gel with me, the author has created a detailed and enlightening book that stays away from any hint of sentimentality.

An excellent insight into one of Britain’s most gifted playwrights.

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