By Martin Brisland.
A Touching Tribute to Noël Coward and Gertrude Lawrence.
A brand-new production of the feel-good musical, Noël & Gertie, is currently at Mayflower Studios. Mayflower’s Chief Executive Michael Ockwell says: “This production reflects our desire to be producing our own work and launching touring shows from Southampton.”
Devised by the late theatre critic, broadcaster and biographer of Coward, Sheridan Morley, the show is drawn from the songs, letters, poems, films, and diaries of the man they called “The Master”. The show opened in London in 1986, starring Simon Cadell and Joanna Lumley, and ran for nine years.
Noël & Gertie is an affectionate tribute to a bygone era and the enduring friendship and creative partnership between playwright, composer and performer Noël Coward and his close friend and muse, actor Gertrude Lawrence.
The play weaves together vignettes, witticisms, and musical numbers to create a tapestry of Coward and Lawrence’s professional and personal relationship. The script cleverly uses Coward’s own words, blending scenes from his plays, musical interludes, and real-life correspondence to evoke the glamour and wit of their era. The play brings the golden age of the West End to life, where Noël Coward’s panache for life meets Gertrude Lawrence’s elegance and grace. As well as highlighting their collaborative works, Noël & Gertie explores the personal chemistry that sparked their deep affection and fondness for one another.
The excerpts from his actual plays are, of course, sublime. These tantalising snippets simply drive home the desire to watch the pair play the entirety of each role, whether that be Small Talk, Private Lives, or any of Coward’s immense repertoire written for Gertie herself.
Music is at the heart of the production, with many of Coward’s most well-known songs included such as “Mad About the Boy” and “Don’t Put your Daughter on the Stage, Mrs Worthington”.
The atmosphere is elegant and nostalgic, with costumes and staging that evoke the charm and sophistication of the 1920s and 30s. It is a heartfelt journey full of wit, warmth, and nostalgia and a thoroughly enchanting two hours.
The production stars Gary Tushaw as Noël Coward and Rebecca Trehearn as Gertrude Lawrence, who are joined on stage by the excellent Joey Hickman and Michaela Murphy, as actor-musicians. Joey Hickman is also the Musical Director.
Olivier Award winner Rebecca Trehearn is wonderful as Gertie. Gary Tushaw is a brilliant foil, dancing between Coward’s acerbic humour and gentle admiration of his long-time working partner.
Noel was knighted in 1970 and died peacefully in 1973 at his home in Jamaica. Gertrude died in 1952 after her run in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I on Broadway.
Tickets for Noël & Gertie (Friday 19 – Saturday 27 September 2025) are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
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