Noel & Gertie

 

Review by Paul Towers, 8/10/25

Noel & Gertie, words and music by Noel Coward. Devised by Sheridan Morley

Directed by Thom Southerland

Produced by Mayflower Southampton

At Curve til Saturday 11^th October 2025

Sheridan Morley has rummaged through the almost limitless back catalogue of the legendary Noel Coward and, using lots of his musical numbers and dialogue, has created a sparkling journey through the intertwined lives of Coward and Gertrude Lawrence.

While both grew up in the early 20^th century it is only now that the full scale of Coward’s attempt to balance his public and private lives can be told. In some ways he was a Master of hiding in plain sight. His many autobiographical lyrics and dialogue, spoken by Lawrence, can now be used in what, in a perfect world, he would have had them performed. By men.

For many of us we have only ever heard the headline lyrics to some of his songs. A prime example is Don’t Put Your Daughter On The Stage, Mrs Worthington. Here, sung in its entirety, it is revealed as an incredibly vicious, derogatory defenestration of the titular daughter.

The show doesn’t shy away from Noel’s conflicted sexuality. He knew full well that he could never ever confirm the rumours about his male lovers for fear of absolute ostracisation.

Gary Tushaw’s Noel Coward is the epitome of public suave sophistication while descending into viperous insults when the private occasion warranted it. Rebecca Trehearn’s Gertie Lawrence has an incredible voice as well as the comic timing to parry Tushaw’s. This is especially seen in the couple’s vaudeville routine to Has Anybody Seen Our Ship? From Red Peppers.

To compliment this talented couple are onstage musicians Joey Hickman (piano) and Michaela Murphy (piano, accordion and ukulele) whose instruments travel around the stage as scenery.

This intimate show is perfectly suited to Curve’s Studio space.

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