To-Night at 8.30 : Complete Set In Three Volumes

Coward, Noel

Published by William Heinemann, London, UK, 1936

About this Item

The First UK printings published by William Heinemann, London in 1936. 8vo., 3 Vols.; dark purple cloth lettered in gilt to spine; embossed with publisher's device to lower covers; border in blind to upper boards; together in the publisher's wrappers, printed in blue and red; each priced '5/- net' to front flap; The BOOKS Very Good++ copies all, minimal spotting to edges and overall toning to the text-block due to the quality of the paper stock used ; the Very Good+ WRAPPERS toned in places, particularly along spine and folds, with some losses to the tips of spine and folds, with the largest to head of Vol II; and a couple of short closed tears; fragile; but unrestored internally. The wrappers are protected in removable Brodart archival covers. The collected set of nine one-act plays which first appeared in London in 1936 with Coward and Gertrude Lawrence in the starring roles. A tenth play, 'Star Chamber' was dropped after one performance. Part-comic, part-serious, the plays also featured music and songs written by Coward, who was keen to work with Lawrence after a positive public response to 'Private Lives'. In order, the plays depict: 'We were Dancing': a married woman who falls in love with a divorced man at a dance and plans to emigrate to Australia with him : 'The Astonished Heart' in which a psychiatrist falls in love with his wife's friend : 'Red Peppers': A husband and wife act bicker in between musical performances : 'Hands Across the Sea' caricaturing Coward's friends Lord Louis Mountbatten and his wife Edwina : 'Fumed Oak': A down-and-out salesman walks out on his family : 'Shadow Play': a marriage on the brink of collapse : 'Ways and Means': concerning an heiress and her gambling husband : 'Still life': a married man and a physician begin a love affair : 'Family Album': a Victorian family gathered together at the funeral of a patriarchal father. Scarce, both as a set and with their wrappers. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.

Seller Inventory # ABE-1776440413195

Bibliographic Details

• Title: To-Night at 8.30 : Complete Set In Three Volumes
• Publisher: William Heinemann, London, UK
• Publication Date: 1936
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Printing: 1st Printing
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Performing Arts