The wonders of communication today really showed up in the writing and inspiration behind "The Romantic World of Ivor Novello."   One night, while "surfing the Web," I typed in the words "Ivor Novello" just out of curiosity to see what would come up.  Novello had long been one of my favorite composers.  Several things did, but in particularly-- "The Ivor Novello Appreciation Society."  I went to their Web page and found to my total amazement that the founder president was Maryetta Midgeley, who I knew very well.

In fact, her brother, Vernon Midgely, had been in "My Fair Lady" with me.  We had all lost touch with one another in 1977 when Stephen and I came to America.  Our last social engagement in London before we left was to have dinner with Vernon and his wife Anna.   The secretary of the Society was Nick Gaze who lives in Gloucester.  I wrote to him and through him contacted the Midgeleys again and renewed our acquaintance.

Another Web page that came up was for Gilda Tabarez in San Francisco, who specializes in silent films and has a number of Novello's silent films.  From her came wonderful cassettes, sheet music and videos of Novello's songs and shows.

On our spring visit to England, Steve and I went down to Gloucester to meet Nick and a really great friendship has resulted.
He has the most fantastic collection of Novello memorabilia I have ever seen.  He has presentation pieces that were given to Novello on the first nights of some of his greatest shows.  The most exciting piece for me was Novello's manuscript workbook that he kept permanently on his piano to jot melodies as they came to him.

Nick has every recording ever made of Ivor's music -- all the original cast recordings included.   While staying with him recently I asked him if by any chance he had a recording of "The Dancing Years" with Anne Rogers singing the leading role.  "Of course," he said.  "It sold very well."

Deja vu!  I remembered I had been on that recording singing the chorus numbers.  And I had forgotten all about it thirty years ago!  He found it and played it and if you know my voice you can hear me.  That blew my mind.  I had come the full circle because next February I am directing "The Dancing Years" for Tryon Little Theater.  Nick also gave me some wonderul photos that are almost impossible to get now of Novello that are on display in the lobby of the Tryon Fine Arts Center.

What a small world it now is with the Internet.  I have made two lovely new friends and have been inspired to write and direct "The Romantic World of Ivor Novello."  I promise it is an evening of sheer joy.  The singing is glorious and it is a delight to the eye as well.  Don't miss it.
 
 

Reprinted with permission of the Tryon Daily Bulletin.
Article dated July 28, 1999