"TONIGHT AT 8.30" BY SIR NOEL COWARD
Sir Noël Coward's vision brought to life
In his 125th Anniversary Year, The Players Theatre Company was proud to present Sir Noël Coward's cycle of 9 short plays, written in 1935 and first performed in London in 1936.
Intended to be played in trios on successive evenings, they marked Noël's desire to revive the dying art of the one-act play and to display, in multiple roles, the highly popular acting talents of Gertrude Lawrence and Coward himself.
Over 3 weekends, The Players Theatre Company replicated this theatrical feast: 9 plays, 19 actors, 74 characters, music, drama and comedy, laughter and tears- all in an intimate setting with audiences able to enjoy a G&T at their tables.
We'll be updating this page with photos from the performances, and reviews of the show, later this year.
Jump down to: Rehearsal Photos or the Cast List. Plus, have a look at the original 1930s show photos!
What was the experience like?
Audiences entered The Coward Club, a tabled seating environment with candles & nibbles! Take your wine (or Martini) to your seat, sit back & enjoy the atmosphere, and of course the plays. Enjoy 3 plays per night performed in front of and around you, listen to the live piano played by our Maestro.
"A beautifully performed sequence of short plays with great atmosphere and laughter throughout. All brought to life by fabulous costumes, wonderful staging and a brilliant cast!" (Audience review: Feb. 16th, 2024)
"A wonderful selection of plays, moving between the comic and poignant with a hugely talented cast and great acting, singing and dancing throughout. I loved the costumes and the cabaret style setting worked perfectly for the period." (Louise B.)
What’s so special about "tonight at 8.30"?
To use the words of Bloomsbury on publishing the scripts:
“Intended to showcase Coward's & Lawrence’s talents, the plays vary in tone and provide actors with a mix of acting, singing and dancing. Running the plays in trios, what resulted was a sparkling, fast-paced and remarkably varied selection of theatrical gems, well-received by the audience and still enjoyed today". Gertrude Lawrence wrote to Coward in 1947: “Dearest Noel, wherever I go…all I hear is ‘please revive Tonight at 8:30!’”.
15TH TO 17TH FEBRUARY 2024
Family Album
Family Album - A Victorian Comedy with Music
Just back from their father's funeral, the Featherway children cannot pull long faces nor feign regret for long. The last one to break into laughter is pious Lavinia, father's companion until his death!
The Astonished Heart
The Astonished Heart - A Play in 6 Scenes
In psychiatrist Christian Faber's drawing room sits his weeping wife and his sad assistants, waiting for the siren Leonora. In four flashbacks the story emerges!
Red Peppers
Red Peppers - An Interlude with Music
Doing a song and dance act in a vaudeville theatre are George Pepper and his wife, Lily. They also have a genius for picking quarrels and insulting others!
22ND TO 24TH FEBRUARY 2024
Hands Across the Sea
Hands Across the Sea - A Light Comedy in 1 Scene
Lady Gilpin (Piggie) is so busy with social duties and gossip that she has no time for coherent thinking. She is set aflutter when her drawing room starts becoming increasingly filled with unexpected guests!
Fumed Oak
Fumed Oak - An Unpleasant Comedy in 2 Scenes
Henry Gow sits silently as his grumbling mother-in-law, his snappish wife and his whining daughter bicker over breakfast. There are changes afoot!
Shadow Play
Shadow Play - A Musical Fantasy
On returning from the theatre, Victoria takes three Anytal tablets just before her husband enters and announces divorce plans. What follows is real life, a fantasy or a dream?
7th - 9th March 2024
Ways and Means
Ways and Means - A Light Comedy in 3 Scenes
In a bedroom in Mrs Lloyd Ransome's fabulous villa on the Cote d'Azur are heiress, Stella Cartwright and her husband, a gambler. They are plagued by debts and their prolonged stay at the villa is becoming embarrassing when fate offers a hand!
We Were Dancing
We Were Dancing - A Play in 5 Scenes
Set at a dinner-dance on a South Pacific island, where two married people fall suddenly in love while they are dancing - unfortunately they are not married to each other!
Still Life
Still Life - A Play in 5 Scenes
The prequel to iconic romantic film, "Brief Encounter". In a suburban rail station, Dr Harvey removes a cinder from Laura's eye and forbidden love ensues. Follow the trajectory of their relationship over a year, against the backdrop of the lives and loves of the station staff!
"Tonight at 8.30" - rehearsals 2024
The original Productions in 1936
Tonight at 8.30 by Noël Coward
"Ways and Means" (1936)
The original West End production with Noël himself and Gertrude Lawrence in the leading roles Toby and Stella. Below Connie and Ben rehearsing (2023) the same scene for our production in February 2024!
Tonight at 8.30 by Noël Coward
The original 1936 leaflet for the production at the National Theatre on Broadway. The production opened November 24th 1936 and ran for 118 performances showcasing its London stars - Mr Noël Coward and Miss Getrude Lawrence.
Tonight at 8.30 by Noël Coward
"Fumed Oak" (1936)
Noël and Gertrude unrecognisable as the downtrodden salesman Henry Gow and his overbearing wife Doris. Its byline states it is "an unpleasant comedy in two scenes". The original West End production.
Tonight at 8.30 by Noël Coward
"Red Peppers" (1936)
One of the better known one-act plays following a BBC adaptation staring Joan Collins in the leading role (1991). Noël and Gertie portray an 'on the way down' Music Hall husband and wife act whose arguments appear to be more entertaining that the show! Featuring the songs "Has Anybody Seen My Ship" and "Men About Town" showcasing Coward's comic
Tonight at 8.30 by Noël Coward
"Still Life" (1936)
This deeply touching romance was the basis for the iconic film Brief Encounter. 1st image: original 1936 West End production of Still Life, starring Noël and Gertie in the leading roles. 2nd image: scenes from Brief Encounter (1945) featuring Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson in those roles. (Noël has a cameo vocal - as the Station Announcer)