Volume Four of Noeuml;l Cowards plays contains a selection of Cowardsplays from the thirties and forties which includes Blithe Spirit; acomedy that centres around the spirit medium Madame Arcati. The playthat mocks sudden death was produced at precisely the moment when bombswere bringing it to Britain "I shall ever be grateful; for the almostpsychic gift that enabled me to write Blithe Spirit in five days duringone of the darkest years of the war." The play was for years thelongest-running comedy in the history of British theatre. PresentLaughter follows the life of Garry Essendine; a world-weary;middle-aged projection of the dilettante; debonair persona -self-obsessed and dressing-gowned who struts through the play like aneducated peacock. It is a comedy about the theatricals that Noeuml;l bestknew and loved; and was originally a star vehicle for himself. It isthe closest to an autobiographical play that Coward ever wrote.ThisHappy Breed is a saga of a lower middle-class family; and three shorterpieces fromTonight at 8.30 - is a farce set in the South of France;and serves as an oblique tribute to Frederick Lonsdale; The AstonishedHeart is about the decay of a psychiatrists mind through personalsexual obsession. Red Peppers; which closes the volume; was a cynicaltribute to the lost music halls of the First World War.
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Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Good Follow Up to the Thunder of Drums for Hardcore JHB FansBy Virginia ShopperFor hardcore Bonham fans. If you are a hardcore fan and enjoyed a Thunder of Drums; then this would be a good addition. If you were bored after a Thunder of Drums; should probably pass.10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. For Hardcore Bonham FansBy John MennonnaWonderful insight as recanted by his brother Mick. Humerous accounts of episodes ranging from childhood to his tenure with Led Zeppelin. John was a working man with an immense natural talent. His personality and generosity is evidenced from the behind-the-scenes anecdotes that only someone as close as his family would be privy to. Johns playing serves as a reference point from which I judge all other rock drummers. Johns feel or "Slink" is present right from his early teens. Its his concept of time and his mastery of it that makes his drum tracks so crucial and essential. Theres a reason his playing sounds so current and valid today - He knew what; when; and how to play what was needed and with taste; sophistication; and innovation. One can only wonder what new iconic rhythm tracks he would have come up with since his all too early passing.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good readBy Rob MI got this book in order to get an idea of what John Bonhams influences were; both drummers and styles. Wanted to get an idea of what it was it was he was listening to; that lead to his original sound. Im very happy so far; almost halfway through it