AMAZING YOUNG MAN

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 163, 7 April 1934, Page 18

AMAZING YOUNG MAN

Noel Coward In £.s.d.

All Izmdon was talking recently about tlie sensational success of Noel Coward’s latest play, “Conversation Piece," which, with himself and Yvonne Printemps in the cast, has had one of tlie most remarkable first nights in the history of the theatre. Noel Coward’s earnings from the theatre lias been fabulous. His rise from poverty to success in ten years is a romance of genius and bard work Today he is the wealthiest playwright In the world. lie has made more money from the theatre than any man living If “Conversation Piece” achieves the success that seems destined for it Noe! Coward’s earnings from the theatre will probably top the million pound mark. One million pounds in ten years! That is the record of the theatre's most amazing young man. Yet when he went to America in 1923 be was literally “broke.” When he went there last year lie occupied a £360 suite on the luxury liner “Empress of Britain." I Here are some facts about bis meteoric rise: 1924. —“The Vortex” and “Fallen Angels.” Had a fair measure of success. , 1925. “Ilay Fever.” Success. Followed by “Easy Virtue" and “The Queen was in the Parlour” in 1926. Both moderately successful. . 1927.—“Home Chat” and “Sirocco” Both "flopped.” , 1928. —“This Year of Grace,” esti-

mated to have brought Coward £SOXI from British royalties alone, plus American royalties and fees for acting in tiie London production. 1929. “Bitter Sweet.” English royalties estimated at £50,000. Other royalties. film rights, etc., estimated ar £20.000. 1930. "Private Lives." Loudon run £lO.OOO American royalties, film rights and song royalties, estimated at £30,000. 1932. —"Cavalcade.” Receipts from British production, film rights and miscellaneous royalties estimated to total £lOO.OOO. 1933. “Design for Living.” American earnings estimated at £20.000. film rights at £BOOO. The last-named has not yet been produced in Loudon by his own express wish.

Why has Noel Coward sacrificed a possible further £10,000? Probably his biggest single windfall was the lump sum payment he received for the film rights of “Cavalcade.” The actual figure was never disclosed but it was said to exceed that then record fee of £40,000 paid for “Broadway.”

Since then Coward has sold the film rights of several other plays for large su ms.

In addition there are many royalties from foreign countries and from publishers. music publishers, and gramophone companies. These royalties are said to bring in Coward more than £2OO per week.