The Better Half (play)
The Better Half is a one-act play by Noël Coward first performed in 1922 by the Grand Guignol theatre company, directed by Lewis Casson.The play was given as the final item of a quintuple bill of mixed comedy and melodrama at the Little Theatre, London on 31 May 1922, with the following cast:[1] Coward recalled that the piece "was wittily played by Auriol Lee", but: Alice has fallen out of love with her high-minded but bloodless husband, David.To satisfy the divorce laws, she will take a lover and "live in flaming sin" at a de luxe hotel.[4] The text was not published and was thought to be lost until Richard Hand and Mike Wilson, researching for a book about Grand Guignol, discovered the script in the British Library in September 2007, where it had been deposited as part of the Lord Chamberlain's Plays collection.[5] An adaptation of the play was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 25 May 2009, starring Federay Holmes, Samuel West and Lisa Dillon, and directed by Martin Jarvis.
Auriol LeeIan Flemingone-act playNoël CowardLewis CassonBritish LibraryLittle TheatreThe StageLord Chamberlain's PlaysSouthwarkBBC Radio 4Samuel WestLisa DillonMartin JarvisSheridan MorleyLondon Calling!On with the DanceThis Year of GraceWords and MusicSet to MusicSigh No MoreOh, Coward!Cowardy CustardBitter SweetConversation PieceOperettePacific 1860Ace of ClubsAfter the BallSail AwayThe Girl Who Came to SupperThe Rat TrapI'll Leave It to YouThe Young IdeaThe VortexHay FeverFallen AngelsEasy VirtueThe Queen Was in the ParlourSemi-MondeThis Was a ManSiroccoThe MarquiseHome ChatPrivate LivesPost-MortemCavalcadeDesign for LivingPoint ValaineTonight at 8.30Present LaughterThis Happy BreedBlithe SpiritPeace in Our TimeSouth Sea BubbleRelative ValuesQuadrilleNude with ViolinLook After Lulu!Waiting in the WingsSuite in Three KeysIn Which We ServeBrief EncounterThe Astonished HeartPomp and CircumstancePresent IndicativeFuture IndefiniteThe Noël Coward DiariesTonight Is OursWe Were DancingMeet Me TonightPretty PollyRed PeppersHigh Spirits