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Noel Coward Headshot

Noel Coward

Date of Birth: December 16, 1899

Date of Death: March 26, 1973 (73)

Birth Place: Teddington, ENGLAND

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BIO

Noel was an English playwright, composer, actor, producer and director. His plays include The Vortex (1924), Hay Fever (1925), Private Lives (1930), Blithe Spirit (1941), Present Laughter (1943) and This Happy Breed (1943). He produced, wrote, starred in and co-directed (with David Lean) the Academy Award-winning film In Which We Serve (1942) as well as writing the screenplay for one of the most beloved British films of all time, Brief Encounter (1945). He wrote many songs now considered classics, including "Mad About the Boy", "Mad Dogs and Englishmen", "I’ll See You Again" and "20th Century Blues" and in 1955 performed a sell-out cabaret season in Las Vegas. His musicals include Bitter Sweet (1929) and Sail Away (1961). As an actor he enjoyed memorable roles onstage in many of his plays as well as on film playing Hawthorne in Our Man In Havana (1959) and Mr Bridger in The Italian Job (1969). He was knighted in 1970.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
1958
Garry Essendine
[Broadway]
1957
Sebastien
[Broadway]
1933
Leo
[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 1931
Elyot Chase
[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 1928
Performer
[Broadway]
1925
Nicky Lancaster

Productions

 
[Broadway, 2026]
Writer
 
[West End, 2023]
Writer
 
[West End, 1964]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1964]
Director
 
[West End, 1962]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1961]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1958]
Director (Staging)
 
[Broadway, 1957]
Director
 
[West End, 1950]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1939]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1935]
Director (Staging)
 
[Broadway, 1934]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1933]
Director (Staging)
Producer
 
[Broadway, 1931]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1929]
Director (Staging)
 
[Broadway, 1925]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1925]
Director

Writing

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Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Source Material
Source Material
Playwright
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Bookwriter
Composer
Lyricist
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Playwright
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer
Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
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Source Material
Composer/Lyricist
Conceiver
Composer/Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
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Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer
Composer
Text
Lyricist
Music
Composer/Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
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Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Playwright
Composer
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Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
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Bookwriter
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Sketches/Composer/Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Composer
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Sketches/Composer/Lyricist
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Six Degrees of Broadway Beta

See how many degrees separate Noel Coward from another Broadway star or creative.

Noel Coward

Noel Coward

Movies

Forbidden Love
[ 1927 ] writer
The Vortex
[ 1928 ] writer
Bitter Sweet
[ 1933 ] lyrics and music - as Noel Coward
Design for Living
[ 1933 ] writer
Cavalcade
[ 1933 ] writer
Tonight Is Ours
[ 1933 ] writer
The Terrible Lovers
[ 1936 ] writer
We Were Dancing
[ 1942 ] writer
This Happy Breed
[ 1944 ] writer
Blithe Spirit
[ 1945 ] writer
Brief Encounter
[ 1945 ] writer
Our Man in Havana
[ 1959 ] Hawthorne
Bunny Lake Is Missing
[ 1965 ] Horacio Wilson
A Matter of Innocence
[ 1967 ] writer
Boom!
[ 1968 ] The Witch of Capri
Interlude
[ 1968 ] writer
The Italian Job
[ 1969 ] Mr. Bridger
Sidste akt
[ 1987 ] writer
Relative Values
[ 2000 ] writer
Easy Virtue
[ 2008 ] writer
Hay Fever
[ 2021 ] writer

Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 1964 - Best Direction of a Musical

Noel Coward, High Spirits

Tony Awards - 1964 - Best Musical

Noel Coward, The Girl Who Came to Supper


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1942 - Best Foreign Play

Noel Coward, Blithe Spirit

News

Cleveland Play House Previews PRIVATE LIVES, WORKING, DA VINCI CODE, ANNIE
by Rachel Stone - Aug 22, 2026

Cleveland Play House has released preview videos for its upcoming season, featuring Noel Coward's PRIVATE LIVES, WORKING: A MUSICAL, THE DA VINCI CODE, and ANNIE.
HEDDA GABLER, SLEEPING DOGS, and More Set For Ensemble Theatre 2027 Season
by Stephi Wild - Aug 10, 2026

Ensemble Theatre has announced a ten-play 2027 season featuring new Australian commissions alongside classic revivals, led by Artistic Director Mark Kilmurry.
Review: THE COMEDY ABOUT SPIES, Adelphi Theatre
by Franco Milazzo - Aug 10, 2026

Set in 1961, the same year that a balding former milkman and coffin-polisher from Edinburgh was interviewed for the role of James Bond, The Comedy About Spies sees two pairs of agents (one American, one Russian) face off in London’s Piccadilly Hotel as they hunt for the mysterious “Project Midnight” documents. As this is from Mischief Theatre, there’s no prizes for guessing just how straightforward and successful they will be.
Review: SLEUTH AND ONE FOR THE POT at SHAW FESTIVAL
by Michael Rabice - Aug 8, 2026

An embarrassment of artistic riches has yet again convened in Niagara on the  Lake for this season’s Shaw Festival. Two very different plays  are given world class productions sharing many of the same talents. Last week I attended Anthony Shaffer’s psychological thriller SLEUTH at the intimate Court House Theatre as well as the raucous British farce ONE FOR THE POT by Ray Cooney and Tony Hilton at the Festival Theatre. Both  were splendid examples of what this fine repertory theatre continues to produce season after season.
Photos: PRESENT LAUGHTER at Orinda Starlight Village Players
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 30, 2026

Noel Coward's PRESENT LAUGHTER continues its run with the Orinda Starlight Village Players, directed by Patrick Atkinson and featuring a Bay Area cast. Check out photos of the production.
Review: PRIVATE LIVES at Guthrie Theater
by Joe Sarafolean - Jul 25, 2026

Some things are timeless: art, architecture, human innovation, and even toxic exes, as evidenced in Noel Coward’s 1930’s classic Private Lives now on stage at the Guthrie Theater.
PENNIES FROM HEAVEN, MY LIFE IN BING CROSBY SONGS to Make NYC Debut at Don't Tell Mama
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 14, 2026

Bistro Award winner Therese Lee will debut PENNIES FROM HEAVEN, MY LIFE IN BING CROSBY SONGS at Don't Tell Mama, weaving Bing Crosby's music with personal stories and songs from Cole Porter to Joni Mitchell.
PRESENT LAUGHTER To Be Presented By Orinda Starlight Village Players
by Marissa Faith Curley - Jul 12, 2026

Orinda Starlight Village Players will present Noel Coward's classic comedy PRESENT LAUGHTER, directed by Patrick Atkinson and starring Matt Cardigan-Smith, at the Orinda Community Park Amphitheater.
Photos: AVENUE Q Celebrates West End 20th Anniversary
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 26, 2026

Avenue Q is celebrating 20-years since it first opened in the West End at the Noel Coward Theatre. Check out a special anniversary portrait of the current West End company!
Review: AMERICAN POPULAR SONG SOCIETY PRESENTS SIDNEY MYER at The Cutting Room
by Andrew Poretz - Jun 18, 2026

Sidney Myer was feted by Marilyn Maye, Charles Busch, Nicolas King and dozens more at a joyous sold-out American Popular Song Society Lifetime Achievement Award gala on June 15.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld June 18, 2026- & JULIET Welcomes New Star Chrissy Metz and More
by - Jun 18, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is June 18, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Mark Goldthorp Will Join MAMMA MIA! at The Novello Theatre as 'Bill'
by Stephi Wild - Jun 17, 2026

Mark Goldthorp, currently playing Bill in the UK Tour of MAMMA MIA!, will join the West End production at the Novello Theatre, replacing Tamlyn Henderson, who departs for the Young Vic.
THIS WAS A MAN to Receive First NYC Presentation in 100 Years at Gingold Theatrical Group
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 16, 2026

Gingold Theatrical Group announced casting for a rare NYC presentation of Noël Coward's THIS WAS A MAN, unproduced in New York since its 1926 premiere, featuring Tony nominee A.J. Shively and directed by David Staller.
Review: RON, Riverside Studios
by Cheryl Markosky - Jun 17, 2026

What did our critic think of RON, RIVERSIDE STUDIOS at Riverside Studios?
THE SHIVA CLUB Will Premiere at Midtown International Theatre Festival
by Stephi Wild - Jun 16, 2026

THE SHIVA CLUB is set to perform as part of the Midtown International Theatre Festival. Details on the production and performance schedule are available through the festival.
Broadway Says Goodbye To Boneau/Bryan-Brown, The Press Office That Shaped Theater History
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 24, 2026

It's the end of an era on Broadway. As BroadwayWorld reported last month, the curtain has officially come down on Boneau/Bryan-Brown, the iconic Broadway press office founded by ATPAM-members Chris Boneau and Adrian Bryan-Brown, after more than three decades representing theatre on Broadway, Off-Broadway and around the world.
Dom McGovern Will Make Edinburgh Fringe Debut With PRIZE HOG
by Stephi Wild - Jun 11, 2026

Comedian Dom McGovern, co-writer of Chicken Shop Date and recent support act for Aisling Bea, will make his Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut with PRIZE HOG, a stand-up hour exploring body image, masculinity, and shame.
WHO WE BECOME to Return to New York With Lanford Wilson One-Acts
by A.A. Cristi - May 28, 2026

Deep Flight Productions will present an encore engagement of WHO WE BECOME, a program of rarely produced Lanford Wilson one-acts, at Factory Series at the Chain Studio Theatre in New York.
Review: Noel Coward’s PRIVATE LIVES at STNJ-A Comedic Delight
by Marina Kennedy - May 26, 2026

STNJ’s theme for this season is “Method and Madness,” and Private Lives is ideal to usher in the exciting season ahead.
THIS WAS A MAN to Make NYC Return for First Time Since 1926 with Project Shaw
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 21, 2026

Gingold Theatrical Group will present Noël Coward's This Was a Man as part of its Project Shaw series, marking the play's first known New York presentation since its original premiere nearly 100 years ago.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Noel Coward been in?

Noel Coward has appeared on Broadway in 6 shows.

How many West End shows has Noel Coward been in?

Noel Coward has not appeared in the West End

What awards has Noel Coward been nominated for?

Noel Coward has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. He was nominated for Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards for his work on "High Spirits." He was also nominated for Best Musical at the Tony Awards for "The Girl Who Came to Supper." In addition, Coward received a nomination for Best Foreign Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for his play "Blithe Spirit."

What awards has Noel Coward won?

Noel Coward has won the Best Foreign Play award from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for his play "Blithe Spirit".

How many shows has Noel Coward written?

Noel Coward has written 50 shows including London Calling (Composer/Lyricist), André Charlot's Revue of 1924 (Composer), On With the Dance (Composer/Lyricist), The Vortex (Playwright), Hay Fever (Playwright), Charlot Revue (Composer), Easy Virtue (Playwright), This Was a Man (Playwright), The Marquise (Playwright), Fallen Angels (Playwright), This Year of Grace (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Murray Anderson's Almanac (Bookwriter), Bitter Sweet (Bookwriter), Private Lives (Playwright), Cochran's 1931 Revue (Composer/Lyricist), Ziegfeld Follies of 1931 (Composer), Cavalcade (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), The Young Idea (Playwright), Words and Music (Sketches/Composer/Lyricist), Conversation Piece (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Point Valaine (Playwright), Tonight at 8:30 (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Operette (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Set to Music (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Sigh No More (Sketches/Composer/Lyricist), Pacific 1860 (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Ace of Clubs (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), After the Ball (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Quadrille (Playwright), Nude With Violin (Playwright), Look After Lulu (Playwright), Sail Away (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), The Girl Who Came to Supper (Composer/Lyricist), High Spirits (Source Material), Noel Coward's Sweet Potato (Composer/Lyricist), Cowardy Custard (Composer/Lyricist), Hay Fever (Playwright), Noel (Composer/Lyricist), Oh Coward! (Composer/Lyricist), Barbara Cook: A Concert for the Theatre (Composer), If Love Were All (Composer/Lyricist), Waiting in the Wings (Playwright), A Suite in Two Keys (Playwright), Design For Living (Playwright), Elaine Stritch At Liberty (Composer), A Marvelous Party (Composer/Lyricist), Blithe Spirit (Playwright), Brief Encounter (Playwright), Volcano (Playwright), The Rat Trap (Playwright).

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