Semi-Monde

Description

Written in 1926 and originally entitled Ritz Bar, Semi-Monde was considered too daring for its time, '...its production in London or New York seemed unlikely as some of the characters, owing to lightly suggested abnormalities, would certainly be deleted by the censor.' (Noel Coward, Present Indicative) It received its premiere at the Citizen's Theatre, Glasgow, in September 1977.

Noel Coward (1899-1973) was not only an important British playwrightand lyricist but he also wrote fiction, three volumes of autobiography,and numerous reflections in other genres which number well over 100different works. He was also a distinguished actor and cabaretperformer. He was easily one of this century's greatest wits.

"'Only in Semi-Monde does Coward find a successful metaphor for the sexual complications that lie behind his posturing. Semi-Monde is easily the most visually daring of his comedies, and the most intellectually startling... Semi-Monde is made up of sexually mischievous tableaux vivants and gets much nearer the homosexual knuckle than Coward's public image allowed.' John Lahr, London Review of Books"