Ace of Clubs

Ace of Clubs

(Noel Coward) (CS002)

Original London Cast with
Pat Kirkwood, Graham Payn, Sylvia Cecil,
Colin Kemball, Peter Tuddenham, Norman Warwick

Newly remastered with two ultra-rare orchestral tracks by Mantovani and the Cambridge Theatre Orchestra plus bonus tracks by the composer. Here for the first time on CD is the most complete version of the score of Noel Coward’s ACE OF CLUBS. All three stars of the show, Pat Kirkwood, Graham Payn and Sylvia Cecil, shine in this smart, sophisticated and amusing score that is awash with Coward’s legendary wit and melody. Sylvia Cecil’s “Nothing Can Last Forever” is worthy of comparison with his greatest song “I’ll See You Again” from Bitter Sweet. Who could help but be swept away by Pat Kirkwood’s version of the cheeky waltz “Chase Me, Charlie”, or Graham Payn’s reading of the wistful “Sail Away”, the song that later became the title tune to Coward’s 1961 Broadway smash. “Josephine” is a witty take on the Empress Josephine’s exploits, “I Like America”, a delightful tongue-in-cheek piece on the foibles of the Unites States, and the deliciously ‘camp’, “Three Juvenile Delinquents” was a forerunner to West Side Story’s “Gee, Officer Krupke.” During the fifties this song was performed at several “The Night Of 100 Stars” by a remarkable line-up of theatrical greats that included Laurence Olivier, John Geilgud, John Mills, Danny Kaye, Peter Ustinov, Laurence Harvey and Paul Scofield. Mantovani was the show’s musical director and the two ultra-rare orchestral selections are of him conducting the theatre orchestra. This is their first airing since their original 78 release which was only for a limited time. The bonus tracks include four songs from the score sung by Coward, who following the show’s run, used them in his cabaret act. This CD features for the first time original show artwork, plus show notes and story synopsis by noted British theatre historian Rexton S. Bunnett.

“Ace of Clubs should be in the hand of every music theatre devotee.”
Bob Crimeen, Sunday Herald Sun

“...lost gems with lovely melodies and wit to spare.”
David Hurst, Show Business

“... an entertaining account of one of the less-celebrated Coward confections.”
Jim Murphy, The Age Green Guide

Tracks:
To hear a song sample, click on any song title below that is followed by

1. Nothing Can Last Forever – Sylvia Cecil/I’d Never, Never Know – Pat Kirkwood/ There’s Something About A Sailor – Graham Payn
2. My Kind Of Man – Pat Kirkwood/This Could Be True – Pat Kirkwood, Graham Payne/Josephine – Pat Kirkwood
3. Sail Away – Graham Payn/Why Does Love Get In The Way? – Pat Kirkwood/In A Boat On The Lake With My Darling – Pat Kirkwood, Graham Payn
4. Chase Me, Charlie – Pat Kirkwood/Evening In Summer – Sylvia Cecil/I Like America – Graham Payn
5. Three Juvenile Delinquents – Colin Kemball, Peter Tuddenham, Norman Warwick
6. Orchestral Selection – Part 1 * : I Like America/Nothing Can Last Forever/My Kind Of Man/Chase me, Charlie – Cambridge Theatre Orchestra conducted by Mantovani
7. Orchestral Selection – Part 2 * : Why Does Love Get In The Way?/In A Boat On The Lake With My Darling/There’s Something About A Sailor/Sail Away – Cambridge Theatre Orchestra conducted by Mantovani
Musical Director: Mantovani

Bonus Tracks:
8. Josephine – Noel Coward
9. Why Does Love Get In The Way? – Noel Coward with the Café de Paris Orchestra conducted by Syd Simone
10. I Like America – Noel Coward with the Café de Paris Orchestra conducted by Syd Simone
11. Sail Away – Noel Coward
* First time on CD

Return to Musical Shows page