Noël Coward was a famous British playwright – perhaps one of Britain's most famous – composer, director, actor and singer, renowned for his wit and stylish comedies.
When was Noël Coward born?
He was born on 16 December 1899 in Teddington, Middlesex, England.
Where did Noël Coward grow up?
Coward grew up in a modest household in Teddington and later Battersea, London, where his parents struggled financially but encouraged his early love of performing.
How did he get into theatre?
He showed a flair for acting as a child, attending a dance academy in London. By age 11, he was already appearing on stage, and as a teenager he befriended actress Esmé Wynne, with whom he began writing plays.
What was his first play?
The first full-length play he wrote was The Rat Trap (1918) – although it wasn't staged until 1926. His first notable success was The Vortex (1924), which shocked audiences with its frank themes.
What was his most famous play?
Arguably his most famous play is Blithe Spirit (1941), a comedy about a novelist haunted by the ghost of his first wife.
What did he do during the Second World War?
During the Second World War, Coward worked for the British government in intelligence and propaganda, entertained troops around the world and wrote patriotic songs, such as London Pride.
He also made the film In Which We Serve (1942), a morale-boosting war drama that earned him great acclaim.
When did Noël Coward die?
Noël Coward died of heart failure on 26 March 1973 in Jamaica, where he spent much of his later life.
