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The Noël Coward Quintet
- Detective. Spy. The Entirely Fictional Adventures of Noël Coward
- Narrated by: Eleanor Bron, Full Cast, Malcolm Sinclair, Tam Williams
- Length: 4 hrs and 44 mins
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The Noël Coward Quintet
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Summary
The Master turns sleuth and spy in this quintet of radio dramas
Actor, playwright, songwriter, director, author and star – as far as we know, Noël Coward never added ‘detective’ or ‘undercover agent’ to his astonishing achievements. But could the intriguing gaps in his memoirs be hiding a thrilling secret life?
Design for Murder
In this wry backstage whodunit set just before World War II, Coward must put aside the play he’s writing to track down a murderous psychopath in London’s West End.
Blithe Spy
This Second World War espionage adventure finds Coward in New York, where he turns secret agent and uses his talent to amuse to help Britain battle the Nazis.
A Bullet at Balmain’s
1948, and the celebrated playwright is in post-liberation Paris to take the lead role in his play Present Laughter. But the murder of a fashion-house mannequin provides a stylish distraction.
Death at the Desert Inn
1955. When $300,000 is left in a satchel in Noël Coward's Las Vegas suite, it’s the prelude to a baffling murder mystery, complete with Judy Garland, a showgirl, a Broadway agent, an unlikely croupier, and a US Congressman.
Our Man in Jamaica
1961. Reconciled to being out of fashion, Noël Coward is determined to finish his first novel – until his neighbour Ian Fleming sets him a challenge: become a spy once more to help destabilise Fidel Castro…
Written by Marcy Kahan and starring Malcolm Sinclair as Coward, Eleanor Bron as his devoted secretary Lorn Loraine and Tam Williams as his devoted valet Cole Lesley, these light-hearted thrillers see Noël Coward solving crimes and foiling villains with his favourite weapon: wit.
Cast and credits
Written by Marcy Kahan
Starring Malcolm Sinclair as Noël Coward, Eleanor Bron as Lorn Loraine and Tam Williams as Cole Lesley
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What listeners say about The Noël Coward Quintet
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Miss Moira L Tulloch
- 29-06-20
Loved it
Fantastic dramas. Enjoyed listening to these plays when first broadcast, delighted to find them. Characters brilliantly written.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Gertrude Perkins
- 10-03-21
More please!
These are great! The fellow who plays Noel Coward is utterly faultless. The stories are well written, witty and a really enjoyable listen. My only complaints are that they're all far too short and there aren't nearly enough of them, More please!
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Banjoman
- 31-08-20
A delight!
I loved the wit and charm of Noel Coward in these entirely fictional yet plausible stories. Brilliant from start to finish.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- sxswlondon
- 11-10-20
Sounds implausible? Think again...
Noel Coward as a crime solving sleuth aided by his devoted assistant and his devoted valet? Yes, it sounds ridiculously implausible and yet these stories are SO brilliantly written and SO brilliantly performed that you immediately suspend any sense of disbelief. Malcolm Sinclair in particular is so superb as the lovably grumpy and wittily warm hearted Coward that you never for one minute think that it *isn't* him. Everything here is wonderful – the stories are clever and well-paced and funny with genuinely challenging murder mysteries at their heart; my only complaint is that there aren't more of them. Dear Ms Kahan – PLEASE WRITE MORE! Thank you.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- S Wood
- 12-07-20
Entertaining. perfect Noel Coward
Loved it. It was so superbly plaisible yet outrageous. made me smile with every chapter
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Hannah Booth
- 09-07-20
Witty
Loved the wit of the stories and the inclusion of Noël's singing performances. Has definitely raised my awareness of Noël Coward's genius as I only ever knew about Blythe Spirit, which I've always loved.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- J. Dunlop
- 22-12-20
Good lighthearted fun
Perfect distraction in difficult times. Likeable characters, witty script and delightfully absurd storylines. Wish there were more.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Catherine A. Miller
- 19-06-20
Great stories but usual annoying lack of titles
I love this series but I have a massive issue with the way audible never puts titles to the chapters. If there were a feedback button on the app I'd use it but there isn't.
It's only mildly annoying in dramas that are one story per chapter but when stories have several chapters it is infuriating.
The only way to find out what story or chapter you are listening to is to open the store and click on details which takes you to the website.
This obviously only works if you have an Internet connection. Why would you need to download it if you didn't want to listen elsewhere? I'd just stream it and save storage space.
You'd think that with all the available tech, Audible could so easily give the chapters names. Often I buy a title and then listen to it again several months later, but have literally no idea what I'm going to hear until I've started listening.
It's so annoying I've been trying to find another company to buy through but this is difficult if you only enjoy dramas and not readings so at the moment it's hobsons choice, so I guess Audible don't have to care if we are actually satisfied with the service or not.
I don't know how much longer I can tolerate it though. Most of what I enjoy will eventually come up on the BBC anyway, it's only pandemic inspired boredom that has driven me to buying.
Please Audible, go the extra centimeter and list chapter titles!
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10 people found this helpful