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Gertrude Lawrence: Noel Coward
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Gertrude Lawrence was one of Great Britain's brightest theatrical stars during the first half of the 20th century. A lifelong friend and colleague of Noel Coward, Lawrence's forte was sophisticated musical [C]omedy, where she exuded a lively, charismatic stage presence that easily overcame her shortcomings as a singer. She was sometimes criticized for a small vocal range and a tendency to sing flat, but her emotional commitment and flat-out star power earned her the approval of most of the musical legends she worked with (Coward, the Gershwins, Cole Porter, Kurt Weill, Rodgers & Hammerstein, etc.). Her recorded legacy is somewhat limited, as she was most in her element on-stage in theaters or cabarets, but enough documentation exists to bring her talents into focus for modern listeners.
Gertrude Lawrence (July 4, 1898 - September 6, 1952) was an actress and musical comedy performer popular from the 1920s to the 1950s, appearing on stage in London, on Broadway and in several films. She is often remembered for performing the light comedies of Noel Coward. She ... sang risque songs by Cole Porter and played characters that dealt with the controversial topics of race relations, atheism and psychoanalysis.
Coward made his last appearance with Gertrude Lawrence as a replacement for the ailing Graham Payn in Tonight at 8.30 on tour in the US. He played Present Laughter in French (Joyeux Chagrins) in Paris. Wrote screenplay for Astonished Heart from Tonight at 8.30.
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Coward formed a strong association with The Phoenix returning with Gertrude Lawrence as his co-star in 1936 with the programme of the one-act play Tonight at 8.30. He returned again in 1952 with Quadrille, which opened only a few days after the death of Gertie Lawrence, and Coward wrote how difficult it was to sit through that first night in what he and Gertie had always referred to as 'our theatre'.
Gertrude Lawrence Biography: Gertrude Lawrence was one of Great Britain's brightest theatrical stars during the first half of the 20th century. A lifelong friend and colleague of Noel Coward, Lawrence's forte was sophisticated musical comedy, where she exuded a lively, charismatic stage presence that easily overcame her shortcomings ...Read full biography
Source:
Gertrude Lawrence ( June 4 1898 - September 6 1952 ) was an actress and musical performer popular in the 1930s and 1940s , appearing on stage in London and on Broadway , and in several films. She is particularly associated with the light comedy of Noel Coward .
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