In Search Of Ruritania The life and times of Ivor Novello AVAILABLE AT BOOKSTORES AND ONLINE This is not a sentimental journey - more a fascinating insight into the life, work and world of the late Ivor Novello |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Please Note: Copyright exists on all images and files used or displayed on this site. Permission must be sought from the copyright owner/s. All Rights Reserved. United Kingdom - United States of America - and International Laws apply. Copyright Contact |
| Images, reviews and cast details from productions of the stage plays listed. Please click on the Plays link in the navigation bar to access these areas. |
| Lee Wolstenholme as Ted in the Buxton production of Forever Nineteen |
| Joanna Glover as Mildred and Rachel Dickinson as Ameil in the Manchester production of Forever Nineteen |
| NOVELLO GALLERY Selection of Novello's personal photographs from Glamorous Night (1935) now permanently displayed in the West End's new Novello Theatre - These photographs are also featured in the book In Search Of Ruritania |
| Elisabeth Welch - Glamorous Night (1935) |
Mary Ellis as Militza and Ivor Novello as Anthony in Glamorous Night (1935) Theatre Royal, Drury Lane |
| FOREVER NINETEEN |
| Kristin Scott Thomas, Jeremy Northam, Alan Bates, Bob Balaban, Kelly MacDonald and Dame Maggie Smith in Gosford Park |
| "High Class - students so at ease with timeless tunes... " (Robin Duke) Link to musical productions... Into The Woods, History of the Musicals, The Boy Friend, Fosse... |
| Great research resource for plays and playwrights and much more.... |
| Anything But Merry! The life and times of Lily Elsie AVAILABLE AT BOOKSTORES & ONLINE A new book by David Slattery-Christy exploring the life and times of the Edwardian actress Lily Elsie, the star of Lehar's original West End production ofThe Merry Widow in 1907. |
| "[A] biography which is the result of extensive research... I found this an intriguing reappraisal of a former theatre idol whom I had tended to dismiss..."Tom Howard - Rogues & Vagabonds |
| "An absorbing and thoroughly engaging read, and a must-own for fans of Altman's film looking to learn more about Novello and his work... Excellent look at both the man and the legend of Ivor Novello, with special insights into the filming of the late Robert Altman's brilliant film "Gosford Park" straight from the film's Ivor Novello consultant." Tara O'Shea - Chicago |
"This new biography delves much deeper into Novello’s life than its predecessors. While this may have alienated those who prefer to remember Novello as fragrantly as his famous lilacs, I found it to be well-researched and thought-provoking. Novello’s output is analysed in the cold light of a new century, and within a theatrical context which is markedly different to the one in which his shows were first produced... There are interesting accounts of interviews with Olive Gilbert’s nieces, Mary Ellis, Gordon Duttson (one of Novello’s partners who appeared in some of his shows) and Nicholas Hassall. The writer often uses a compelling style - the description of his first visit to Redroofs is akin to something out of ‘Rebecca’, and the tension is also built up during his work in the archives of Drury Lane... What will disturb some Novello fans are the sections which deal with his sexuality. I found this information an essential part in building up a rounded picture of Novello as a human being... This revealing biography is a useful and well- researched addition to other books on Ivor Novello: one which is not afraid to cover all areas of his life." David Wheeler - The Gaiety Magazine |
| Discover the extraordinary life of one of Edwardian England’s most celebrated and revered musical comedy stars, Lily Elsie. From her childhood days in the music halls of Salford and her rise to fame as the child singing star “Little Elsie” (hailed by press and public as “the infant Patti”, after the world famous opera star Adelina Patti) to her arrival in London as a young woman with an almost reluctant desire to conquer the West End stage, her ever-present mother urging her to make the most of every opportunity... |
| Guide To Mary Ellis Papers - 1897 - 2003 Billy Rose Theatre Division, New York Library for the Performing Arts. Includes Glamorous Night adaptation script and correspondence with David Slattery-Christy |
| Selected links for research information |
| Glamorous Night Book & Music: Ivor Novello Lyrics by : Christopher Hassall Revised version by: David Slattery-Christy By arrangement with Samuel French Ltd |
| Film history, book recommendations and much more... |
| "David Slattery-Christy has researched his work diligently. He tells Lily's story clearly and dispassionately...his book is an important contribution to our understanding of Edwardes and the Gaiety Girls, one of the most glittering periods of London's theatre history." Richard Anthony Baker - The Stage |
| "The characters around Elsie are capably brought to life... a good, dramatic, read and you will end up knowing Elsie by the end." Rob Sedman - lily-elsie.com |
| Luton Girls Choir sing Novello's Someday My Heart Will Awake Click on image for link to YouTube |
| British Pathe News - Gaiety Girls Reunion, London 1947 Click Here! |
| The Merry Widow Vienna Music Click Here! |
| Manchester Award for Drama Forever Nineteen and Les Miserables 1992 |
| From the Ivor Novello Consultant for Robert Altman & Julian Fellowes OSCAR and BAFTA winning film GOSFORD PARK |
| Mrs. Anthony Berry (Sonia) and David Slattery-Christy, Bath 2009. Sonia remembers Lily Elsie from childhood. Elsie and her mother were great friends. |
| Elsie's Cartier carriage clock featured on the Antiques Roadshow from Bath on 7th February 2010. The clock was a gift to her from husband Ian Bullough. The hidden message in Latin, Tempus Fugit, translates as 'Time Flies' The message in other symbols translated as 'Love Remains'. |
| "This is not a formal footnoted biography...Lily's life is written like a very well researched novel for the reader...it shines a light on a lady whose postcards from the height of her fame fascinate even now... K. Maxwell (Sydney, Australia) ...the back section offers mini biographies of all the main people in Lily Elsie's life and a comprehensive biography of sources." |
| Click on image to visit the Jeremy Northam blog site |
| Drama set in the present day and Victorian England. A Mistletoe Bride is murdered on Christmas Eve by her jealous sister who locks her in a linen chest, where she suffocates. Her ghost haunts the Oxfordshire stately home until her remains are discovered and the truth revealed. The story is based on the legend of the Mistletoe Bride, popularised in a poem by Thomas Haynes Bailey in 1884, then set to music and became the popular song: The Mistletoe Bough! |
| Click image for TMW musical tribute... |
| TITANIC PLAY |
| Tim Bohannon as Patrick and Julia Stubbs as Mary in the Manchester production of The Post Card |
| Nora Connelly as Bridie in the London production of The Post Card |
| The Post Card "Heartwrenching...unsinkable!" The Independent |
| "This is old Ireland, Milkwood style..." Derby Telegraph |
| On April 11th, 1912, a young Irish emigrant sent his sweetheart a post card to tell her he was boarding the TITANIC on her maiden voyage. The poignant post card survived to be sold at auction and the story behind these facts provides the basis for the play - involving Patrick & Mary, a fatal scandal, and the lovers sadly compromised best friend, Liam. "Past and present are interwoven through narrative, song, monologue and dramatic scene and a Thomas Hardy style story of blighted love unfolds." Edinburgh Evening News |
| Now Available for Professional & Amateur Performances |
| 2012 marks the 20th anniversary of the first production of the play at Manchester's Green Room. This is an image of the real Patrick Dooley, whose story inspired me to write the play. |
| All enquiries to: slatterychristy@aol.co.uk |
| AFTER THE TONE |
| Scott Kentell as Daniel in the Manchester production of After The Tone |
| TITANIC PLAY The Post Card By David Slattery-Christy NOW AVAILABLE |
| "This is old Ireland, Milkwood style..." Derby Telegraph "Heartwrenching...unsinkable!" The Independent |
| Titanic Play - The Post Card - Review... |