Literary Birthday – 16 December – Noël Coward
Noël Coward was born on 16 December 1899 and died on 26 March 1973.
Noël Coward Quotes
- Wit ought to be a glorious treat like caviar; never spread it about like marmalade.
- It’s discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.
- I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.
- My importance to the world is relatively small. On the other hand, my importance to myself is tremendous. I am all I have to work with, to play with, to suffer and to enjoy. It is not the eyes of others that I am wary of, but of my own. I do not intend to let myself down more than I can possibly help, and I find that the fewer illusions I have about myself or the world around me, the better company I am for myself.
- What I adore is supreme professionalism. I’m bored by writers who can write only when it’s raining.
- Thousands of people have talent. I might as well congratulate you for having eyes in your head. The one and only thing that counts is: Do you have staying power?
- Having to read footnotes resembles having to go downstairs to answer the door while in the midst of making love.
Noël Coward was an English playwright, composer, director, actor, and singer, celebrated for his wit, style, and flamboyant personality. He became one of the leading figures of British theatre in the 20th century, writing plays that combined sharp dialogue with sophisticated humour. His best-known plays include Blithe Spirit, Hay Fever, and Private Lives. His polished comedies of manners captured the clipped speech, changing social values, and disillusionment of the generation that came of age after the First World War. His characters were often worldly, witty, and willing to challenge conventional ideas about relationships and morality. Coward was also a successful performer and director, and his talents extended beyond the theatre. His distinctive style made him a cultural icon, with Time magazine describing his appeal as a combination of ‘cheek and chic, pose and poise’. In 1970, he was knighted for his contribution to theatre and the arts.
Image: Allan Warren, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Noel_Coward_Allan_warren_edit_1.jpg
by Amanda Patterson
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