Noel Coward Murder Mysteries, Marcy Kahan - Our Man In Jamaica (British Drama - Comedy)

Death at the Desert InnScene of one of Noel Coward’s greatest cabaret triumphs is the setting for a “highly probable murder mystery”, complete with Judy Garland, a showgirl, a Broadway agent, an unlikely croupier, and a US Congressman. Another crime to be solved with the Master’s favourite weapon: wit. Director: Ned Chaillet Judy Garland: Belinda Lang Joe: Jake Broder Mercedes: Meredith MacNeil Nicholas: Peter Swander Floyd: Nathan Osgood Babyface: William Hootklns
A far-fetched tale focused around Noel Coward’s highly successful engagement at the Desert Inn, Las Vegas, in 1956 (which led to a new and lucrative career as a cabaret artist and character actor), Death at the Desert Inn had Coward (Malcolm Sinclair) investigating the death of a chorus-girl and becoming involved in a plot involving a would-be presidential candidate (Peter Swander) and a Jewish mafioso with the highly inappropriate moniker of Baby-Face Puccini (William Hootkins). To be honest, the whodunit side of the tale didn’t seem really significant; what was far more interesting was Kahan’s depiction of Coward’s sheer professionalism, as he overcame apparently insuperable odds (a dinner theatre audience more interested in eating, drinking and gambling than in the entertainment provided), and thereby reestablished himself as “The Master” on both sides of the Atlantic. Despite his apparent insouciance, Coward was genuinely concerned about his ability to fulfil the task; it was only down to sheer professionalism, coupled with a unique ability to work an audience, that his success was achieved. More importantly, the Las Vegas experience helped Coward understand the importance of being himself; unlike Britain, America in the mid-1950s seemed more tolerant of difference. No one expected him to tell jokes, or conform to any particular public persona (as was the case in Britain). For this reason Coward decided to quit Britain for good and become an ex-pat, making his home in Jamaica and taking on character parts in Hollywood as well as British films. The director of this new play was Ned Chaillet.

A Bullet at Balmain’sCoward is in the post-liberation Paris of 1948 to play the lead in his own play, Present Laughter, in French. But the murder of a promiscuous mannequin provides a stylish distraction. Director/Producer Ned Chaillet Ginette: Linda Marlowe Monique: Susy Kane Beatrice: Jaimi Barbakoff Chester Everal: A Walsh Jean-Marc: William Hootkins Vendeuse: Frances Jeater
Set in 1948, this haute couture mystery was set in Paris, at a time when Noel Coward (Malcolm Sinclair) was about to perform his hit play Present Laughter in French. The plot itself involved a murdered mannequin, a harassed fashion house Maitresse – Coward’s devoted friend Ginette Spanier (Linda Marlowe) – and a psychopathic French murderer and sugar-daddy (William Hootkins) who ended up holding Coward at gun-point just as the Master was about to perform the third act of Present Laughter to an audience almost entirely comprised of Parisian high society. Needless to say Coward escaped, due in no small part to a Deux ex Machina who ensured that the killer was safely despatched before he could cause the Master any harm. A Bullet at Balmain’s offered some incidental pleasures, centred chiefly on dramatist Marcy Kahan’s analysis of Coward’s character. While determined to pursue experiments, even if they involved a hair-raising amount of work – such as learning Present Laughter in French, Sinclair’s Coward betrayed certain insecurities. He could not do without the regular company of Cole Lesley (Tam Williams) and Lorne Lorraine (Eleanor Bron), both of whom were devoted to him. Neither of them could be described as his lovers; they were just his permanent companions. Coward’s true lover, the actor Graham Payn, was back in London performing on the stage, leaving Coward bereft of true affection. However, as a basically resourceful person, Coward amused himself by becoming involved in the murder mystery; it provided a pleasant diversion, even if it involved a certain degree of danger. Although a patriotic Englishman, Coward was also genuinely cosmopolitan; he could make himself at home in any part of the world he chose. Hence his fondness for visiting and performing in Paris. In later years he would make his permanent home as a tax-exile in Jamaica, preferring the sunshine and sea to the grey conformity of early 1960s England. This entertaining drama, punctuated with nostalgic extracts from Coward’s original song recordings, was directed by Ned Chaillet.

Blithe SpyA highly improbable Second World War espionage adventure featuring a highly improbable spy… with a talent to amuse. Director: Gordon House Neysa McMein: Elizabeth McGovern Jon Smith: Adam Sims F.D. Roosevelt: Bob Sherman Fortnum: Ian Masters Liaison officer: Ian Masters Simpson: Kerry Shale Willoughby: Peter Marinker Conklin: Gerard McDermott
Set aboard an ocean liner and in New York City, Blithe Spy involved Coward (Malcolm Sinclair) in another preposterous plot involving an attractive young man Jonathan (Adam Sims), two double agents who turned out to be working for the Germans, and a rendezvous with President Franklin D. Roosevelt (Bob Sherman). Coward was engaged as a spy, but the only problem was that no one could understand his theatrically-inspired secret codes except for his devoted secretary Lorne Lorraine (Eleanor Bron). This abstruseness very nearly capitulated ‘The Master’ to an early grave, as he was once again held at gunpoint by the German double agents. However, Lorne managed to crack Coward’s code in the nick of time so as to facilitate his rescue. In this play, Coward came across as someone who, although proud of his national identity, viewed New York City as his second home. Hence he empathized with the Americans. However, once at the point of a gun, he displays the kind of British sang froid that made it seem as if he was not really scared of what might follow, even though he actually was very scared. Once he had been released and had the chance to meet the President, he encouraged Roosevelt to persuade the American people to become involved in the War, even though he realized the difficulty of trying to convince those in the mid-west (for whom the term Nazi had no real significance). Blithe Spy was an entertaining adventure, distinguished by a remarkable vocal impersonation of Coward from Sinclair. The director was Gordon House

Design for MurderActor, playwright, songwriter, director and star-Noel Coward never quite added sleuth to his astonishing achievements. But just before the war with Hitler, there is a gap in his memoirs. Is there a murder mystery within those days? Piano Neil Brand Director: Ned Chaillet Winifred: Kristin Milward Edward/Judith: Nicholas Boulton Greta: Gemma Saunders Tony: Joe Dunlop Hoskins: Don McCorkindale
This tongue-in-cheek murder mystery, set in and around the Globe Theatre (now the Novello Theatre) centred around Coward’s (Malcolm Sinclair’s) efforts to write a new play and persuade Gertrude Lawrence to star in it. Aided and abetted by his devoted companions Lorne Lorraine (Eleanor Bron) and Cole Lesley (Tam Williams), he finally manages to do so; but not without a lot of fuss and bother, chiefly involving a young would-be writer Tony (Joe Dunlop), who eventually turns out to be a psychopath, holding Coward at gun-point in the theatre before committing suicide. The action unfolds light-heartedly, with Coward, exchanging banter with his two companions; in particular, the long-suffering Lorraine has a hard job trying to persuade ‘The Master’ to keep his attention on writing the play and not become involved in extraneous affairs. However Coward cannot do this: love renders him oblivious to Tony’s disturbing nature. Although ‘The Master’ emerged unscathed in the end, we get the sense that he is actually a very isolated person, unable to admit to his sexuality in public at a time when homosexuality was illegal. He has his companions’ support, but no actual love. As Coward, Malcolm Sinclair gives a convincing performance as someone with a ready wit and a wonderful turn of phrase; but perhaps these virtues compensate for an overriding sense of loneliness. First broadcast in 2001, this drama was directed by Ned Chaillet.

Baker’s End features Tom Baker and Colin Baker – as themselves – alongside former Doctor Who companions Katy Manning and Susan Jameson, for a very strange series of tales about goblins, magical libraries and giant cats. The series is written by Paul Magrs (Doctor Who, Brenda and Effie)
4. The Happenstance PoxIt’s been some time since the master of Baker’s End went charging into an infernoing tower. Since then he’s been lying swathed in bandages in the cottage hospital.But what lies beneath the bandages?Starring: Colin Baker, Katy Manning and Susan Jameson

Baker’s End features Tom Baker and Colin Baker – as themselves – alongside former Doctor Who companions Katy Manning and Susan Jameson, for a very strange series of tales about goblins, magical libraries and giant cats. The series is written by Paul Magrs (Doctor Who, Brenda and Effie)
3. Tatty BogleAs the end of summer beckons, the local folk are planning the festival of Tatty Bogle. Before the festival is over there’ll be ritual sacrifice, a nasty homunculus and an almighty ruckus in the front parlourStarring: Tom Baker, Katy Manning and Susan Jameson

Baker’s End features Tom Baker and Colin Baker – as themselves – alongside former Doctor Who companion Katy Manning and Susan Jameson, for a very strange series of tales about goblins, magical libraries and giant cats. The series is written by Paul Magrs (Doctor Who, Brenda and Effie)
2. Gobbleknoll HallGhost-hunting TV show Manifest Yourself is filming an overnight vigil in Happenstance. But the spirits of Gobbleknoll Hall are not to be messed about with. Can the King of Cats prevent the spooky investigation from going tits up?Starring: Tom Baker, Katy Manning and Diane Morgan

Baker’s End features Tom Baker and Colin Baker – as themselves – alongside former Doctor Who companions Katy Manning and Susan Jameson, for a very strange series of tales about goblins, magical libraries and giant cats. The series is written by Paul Magrs (Doctor Who, Brenda and Effie)
1. The King of CatsPeevish actors are descending mournfully upon the remote English village of Happenstance for the funeral of TV legend Tom Baker. But is he really dead, or is there something murksome and swervish going on?Starring: Tom Baker and Katy Manning