NOEL COWARD ON (AND IN) THEATRE

From journals, diaries, and articles, narrator Barry Day delivers a candid portrait of the playwright, actor, and celebrity Noël Coward. Always the center of attention, Coward wasn't shy about his opinions. We get his thoughts on acting, from auditions to performances, as well as his stinging comments on fellow playwrights, critics, and actors, along with his opinions of his own plays. The narrators deliver competent work, yet in a book about Noël Coward listeners expect to hear the elegant timing and phrasing of the master. Day's delivery is friendly and listenable. Chukwudi Iwuji delivers some of Coward's (and others') writings in an intelligent manner. The material is top-notch, but neither narration dazzles. Even so, this is a fine addition to any theater archive. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2022]