| Ivor Novello |
David Slattery- Christy
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 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Only a decade ago the name Ivor Novello would have meant little to anyone. Discarded into
the garbage can of history, Novello's fate was less than dignified. Even the music award which bears
his name, the Ivor's, seemed to do little to remind people of who Novello actually was and what he
achieved across theatre and film genres.
Robert Altman's decision to portray Novello in his film Gosford Park, and use Novello's music,
changed everything. Ironic really, because the Hollywood system which had failed to appreciate and
fully utilise Novello's abilities during his lifetime, would be the same system several decades later that
would catapult Novello and his music back into the world.
Since Robert Altman's Oscar and Bafta winning movie Gosford Park, in which Novello was
portrayed by Jeremy Northam, there has been a resurgance of interest in Novello; with that has come
a renewed appreciation of his music and his achievements as an actor, playwright, film star and
creator of lavish romantic musicals. Sir Cameron Mackintosh has acknowledged this by renaming the
Strand Theatre to the Novello Theatre in London's West End.
My quest to search for answers and understand Novello's life, work and the ruritanian ideals
he embraced, has been ever fascinating - and no doubt will continue to be so in the future. I like to
think I have helped in a small way to bring Novello back into the public domain - certainly the classic
movie Gosford Park will continue to ignite interest in Novello, even a hundred years from now, so it's
unlikely he will be completely forgotten again.
the garbage can of history, Novello's fate was less than dignified. Even the music award which bears
his name, the Ivor's, seemed to do little to remind people of who Novello actually was and what he
achieved across theatre and film genres.
Robert Altman's decision to portray Novello in his film Gosford Park, and use Novello's music,
changed everything. Ironic really, because the Hollywood system which had failed to appreciate and
fully utilise Novello's abilities during his lifetime, would be the same system several decades later that
would catapult Novello and his music back into the world.
Since Robert Altman's Oscar and Bafta winning movie Gosford Park, in which Novello was
portrayed by Jeremy Northam, there has been a resurgance of interest in Novello; with that has come
a renewed appreciation of his music and his achievements as an actor, playwright, film star and
creator of lavish romantic musicals. Sir Cameron Mackintosh has acknowledged this by renaming the
Strand Theatre to the Novello Theatre in London's West End.
My quest to search for answers and understand Novello's life, work and the ruritanian ideals
he embraced, has been ever fascinating - and no doubt will continue to be so in the future. I like to
think I have helped in a small way to bring Novello back into the public domain - certainly the classic
movie Gosford Park will continue to ignite interest in Novello, even a hundred years from now, so it's
unlikely he will be completely forgotten again.
Novello - circa 1927
Novello Theatre
Images from Novello's personal collection
of Glamorous Night (1935) displayed on this
page I donated to the West End's new
Novello Theatre.They are now permanently
displayed there for everyone to enjoy.
Other images are from the archives of the
Ivor Novello Appreciation Bureau.
The Bureau has done much to keep
Novello's memory alive for many years -
and continues to do so - and you can visit
their website via the link provided.
The Lily Elsie Society also kindly
provided me with images - their website link
is also available.
Most of the images are reproduced in my
book In Search of Ruritania - to be
released in November 2006.
Images from Novello's personal collection
of Glamorous Night (1935) displayed on this
page I donated to the West End's new
Novello Theatre.They are now permanently
displayed there for everyone to enjoy.
Other images are from the archives of the
Ivor Novello Appreciation Bureau.
The Bureau has done much to keep
Novello's memory alive for many years -
and continues to do so - and you can visit
their website via the link provided.
The Lily Elsie Society also kindly
provided me with images - their website link
is also available.
Most of the images are reproduced in my
book In Search of Ruritania - to be
released in November 2006.
Novello with various leading ladies:
Elisabeth Welch, Mary Ellis, Zena Dare,
Olive Gilbert and Lily Elsie. From Glamorous
Night (1935), The Dancing years (1939), The
Truth Game (1928) and King's Rhapsody
(1949).
Elisabeth Welch, Mary Ellis, Zena Dare,
Olive Gilbert and Lily Elsie. From Glamorous
Night (1935), The Dancing years (1939), The
Truth Game (1928) and King's Rhapsody
(1949).
| Novello & Lily Elsie - circa 1928 |
| Novello with Bobbie Andrews his life-long partner |
| Press cutting from the time of Gosford Park's release in the UK |
Glamorous Night Showcase at
Drury Lane in 1997. Working
on the libretto for a west End
revival was a great experience.
Sadly it was shelved but I then
directed the anniversary
concert at Drury Lane in 2001
which in turn gave me the
chance to work for Bob Altman
on Gosford Park.
Drury Lane in 1997. Working
on the libretto for a west End
revival was a great experience.
Sadly it was shelved but I then
directed the anniversary
concert at Drury Lane in 2001
which in turn gave me the
chance to work for Bob Altman
on Gosford Park.
| In Search of Ruritania By David Slattery-Christy Available November 2006 |
Please use the feedback form via the link provided |
| The Greatest Showbiz Shop In The World - Buy online @ Dress Circle |
