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NEWSLETTER
2014 marks the centenary of Ivor writing 'Keep the Home Fires Burning' one of the most popular songs of World War One. The Bureau is pleased to announce the installation of a new plaque to mark the resting place of Ivor in the grounds of Golders Green Crematorium, North London. The picture also shows a new lilac tree that was replaced recently.
JET AGE MUSEUM, GLOUCESTER
Ivor spent part of his childhood schooling in Gloucester and as a young man studied under the Cathedral's organist Sir Herbert Brewer. Sadly, Ivor has not been officially remembered in any part of the city, so when a recent appeal for funds to build the counties new Jet Age Museum was launched we thought it was a golden opportunity to ensure Ivor's name was included on the wall of memories inside the museum. Ivor always spoke fondly of his days in Gloucester and perhaps we should remember that as a young man he joined the Royal Flying Corps but it is documented that his piloting skills were fairly disastrous!
For more information about Gloucester's new Jet Age Museum please follow this link:
http://www.jetagemuseum.org
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NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE |
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Sir
Cameron Does it Again in 2007
Sir Cameron Mackintosh has once again done
his splendid best in memory of Ivor. At
the end of last year he arranged to have
a most attractive, illuminated, glass display
cabinet fitted in the Waldorf bar of his
newly renamed Novello theatre (formerly
the Strand, where Ivor had his flat above)
in London’s Aldwych. With the help
and support of Rosy Runciman, Sir Cameron’s
dedicated archivist, we have been able to
display various items from our collection.
This includes some lovely silverware that
was presented to Ivor by the cast of his
various major, musical plays. The Novello
theatre has been so tastefully decorated
with memorabilia, much of it from our archive,
that it has become a shining memorial to
Ivor and his life’s achievements.
Ivor
Returns to the West End
How
tremendous it was to learn earlier last
year that the world-famous conductor George
Daugherty and David Lik Wong were planning
to take Ivor back into London’s West
End. For one night only they staged a fabulous
concert with Sinfonia
Britannia, a full orchestra
(to the exact size Ivor had specified for his London shows) plus a line-up of world -famous vocalists. The evening of Sunday September 10th 2006 was
a really memorable occasion and one that |
should have seen the Novello theatre bursting
at the seams. Patron, Marilyn Hill Smith,
was one of the sopranos. Her article in
this issue explains clearly why the concert
was not the sell-out it should have been.
I received a letter from George Daugherty
the week following the show. His upset and
despair at the lack of any media recognition
for his Novello event in the West End was
only too real and very familiar to myself.
Here was a highly-talented American, so
impressed with the works of Novello that
he went to great lengths to present his
work in this country, to the very highest
standards, only to be virtually ignored.
He was clearly perplexed by the experience
and wondered if I had any thoughts or advice.
It pains me to have to tell people that
generally, unless the media are referring
to Ivor’s petrol rationing experience
in the war or delving into his private life
(which to me seems so long ago it’s
now extremely boring), they have virtually
no interest in the man’s real talents
and the wonderful legacy of music he has
left us. George wanted to take this concert
to new venues around the country and what
a joy it would have been but, truth to tell,
I felt at a complete loss to be able to
offer any sound advice.
A
Quiet Drink with Mr Novello One
brighter note on the horizon: we can now
boast a new Novello public house, to be
found just down the road from Littlewick
Green, on the main A4 between Maidenhead
and Reading. Themed with Ivor’s work
and music, I understand it is a most pleasant
place to visit for a quiet drink or tasty
meal. Tel: 01628 825753
Ivor
Now in Church Before
I take my leave I should mention that we are extremely pleased to report that the
bronze head of Ivor is now installed in Littlewick
Green church.
May
I ask you to support us
when you can - by attending our functions and buying our recordings - help us to keep Ivor’s flag flying.
Most sincerely, Nick Gaze INAB Administrator |
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DOWN
AN ENGLISH LANE
by Dr Larry Mandon
Walk together down an English lane... June
2006 was a truly remarkable moment in my
life, for the first time in some 55 years
my wife Sally and I walked together down
an English lane which led us to Littlewick
Green - to recapture what had been for me
a most formative part of my life. The years
that I worked and walked with Ivor Novello,
in his musicals and his life at Redroofs.
A moment of nostalgic wanderings which brought
back memories of great delight of a man
of immense charm and dignity, always surrounded
by persons of unbelievable talents. It brought
back memories of rehearsals at the old Stoll
Theatre where an evening of entertainments
was being put together as a Tribute to Ivor
Novello shortly after his death, in which
every known Star of Theatre, Film, Opera
and Ballet contributed their unique skills
for an increditable performance, far too
many persons to mention by name, but nothing
was spared to make this the greatest tribute
ever seen on an English stage. It was during
these rehearsals that I first met my wife
to be, Sally, it was during a break that
I mentioned to her that it was my Birthday,
to which she replied that she would buy
me the coffee and cake, which eventually
has led to 55 years of marriage (07.07.07.)
and over 30 years of singing together around
the world. I think the romantic notion of
all that would very much have been approved
and applauded by Ivor. The visit to Maidenhead
reminded me of so much that had passed with
the years. It was a unique experience that
brought back to life so many persons who,
sadly are no longer with us and who had
contributed so much to those glamorous rapturous
nights in the theatre and whose brilliance
lit up our lives and the theatre hoardings.
I look forward to June 9th. 2007 to recapture
even more of the glorious nostalgic moments
down memory lane and to meet again so many
charming and loyal Ivor Novello fans !
Yours very sincerely Dr.Larry M.
March 2007
***It is with great sadness we report that Larry passed away in 2011.
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KINGS
RHAPSODY 16mm Film
To celebrate the first anniversary of 'King's
Rhapsody' in 1950 Ivor had a performance
filmed and presented to the cast at the
Palace Theatre, London. We understand there
were at least two copies of the film made
and for many years we have been searching
in vain for one of the copies. If any of
you have heard, or know anything about this
film we would be so very grateful to hear
from you. We must add this film has nothing
to do with the Errol Flynn and Anna Neagle
commercial production of 'King's Rhapsody'. |
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Ivor Novello Sheet Music, Books etc: can often be found on the web site of ebay.
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have an extensive archive, please write or telephone for further
details. |
The
Ivor Novello Appreciation Bureau (Established
1994)
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Tel:
01452 720182
Email: noveloscot@aol.com
Website: www.ivornovello.com |
Administrators: Nick Gaze &
Chris Sansom
Assisted by: Mary Falby |
| Website
Designed & Maintained by: Chris
Sansom |
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