BBC Archive Voices: Noël Coward - Interviews 1960 - 2072 is part of the BBC Archive Voices series from AudioGO, which presents interviews with key figures in the fields of entertainment, sport, politics and literature. Selected from the archives of BBC radio and television broadcasting, they offer a chance to hear compelling conversations from years ago. Some of the most lively, entertaining and informative encounters in BBC broadcasting, many of these interviews have not been heard since their original transmission...

In interviews ranging from 1960 to 1972, Noël Coward talks about being a legend; whether he is a cynical writer; his early days in acting and about his early reputation for upsetting fellow actors on stage. He also discusses acting with Laurence Olivier; his affection for the Navy; his film-making; his knighthood, and writing Private Lives for his friend Gertrude Lawrence.

Another interesting aspect is his obvious affection for Charles Hawtrey (the stage actor and not the Carry On comedian), who Coward worked with when he was just a boy. The much older Hawtrey encouraged and helped him in his acting career.

He also, I suspect rather tongue-in-cheek, gives his own, rather twisted version of the word "cynical".

Those familiar with Coward's work should get a buzz from this interesting release.

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Nick Smithson