MusicalTalk - The UK's Independent Musical Theatre Podcast

Episode 925: Mad About the Boys: Novello, Coward and Porter (part 2)

·50 min·4 clips

A musical cabaret explores the intertwined lives of gay songwriting legends Ivor Novello, Noel Coward, and Cole Porter.

This episode of Musical Talk features host Thos Ribbits continuing his interview with Daniel Anderson and Amanda Bothmar about their cabaret 'Mad About the Boys.' The show focuses on three gay songwriters from the early 20th century: Ivor Novello, Noel Coward, and Cole Porter. Ribbits begins by contextualizing their contributions, noting Novello's lavish operettas and iconic song 'Keep the Home Fires Burning,' Coward's versatility as a playwright and performer, and Porter's extensive songbook. Anderson and Bothmar discuss the show's production at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, highlighting limited resources like a small stage and basic lighting. They reveal the cabaret originated during COVID-19 isolation with a garden performance for 30 people in South Africa, where a shooting star dramatically appeared during 'Every Time We Say Goodbye.' The conversation explores artistic choices, such as reinterpreting Coward's 'I Went to a Marvelous Party' with a postmodern jukebox style inspired by Beverly Knight, creating what Ribbits calls 'Brechtian dissonance.' Anderson emphasizes the show's integrated performance style, blending acting and singing to convey narrative and emotion, particularly in Porter's 'Love for Sale.' The hosts discuss the songwriters' legacies, noting that 'Every Time We Say Goodbye' was a flop in America but a UK hit due to WWII associations. Anderson shares his personal preference for Coward's patter songs like 'Mad Dogs and Englishmen.' Accent work is highlighted, with Anderson using American and British accents to distinguish the songwriters, revealing his South African background through subtle pronunciation differences. The interview touches on lesser-known verses of Coward songs and a riposte song called 'Tit for Tat' by Hermione Gingold. Anderson and Bothmar reflect on Edinburgh audiences embracing the cabaret format and their other show 'Vincent,' which reimagines pop songs in a Van Gogh context. They share future plans, including directing 'Annie' in South Africa. The episode closes with Ribbits reflecting on Novello's lasting impact, citing a BBC Radio 3 concert where audiences spontaneously sang along to 'Keep the Home Fires Burning' 112 years after its composition.

As heard by us

A measured conversation about the performance choices that bring musical theatre history into cabaret form.

Mad About the Boys, built around Ivor Novello, Cole Porter and Noel Coward, gives this MusicalTalk episode a tidy double focus: musical theatre history and the choices that help that history feel present onstage.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Hear how Daniel Anderson brings Novello, Coward and Porter into the room through song, story and stage presence.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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