Noel Coward Plays in London

Sir Noel Coward (1899-1973) was an English playwright, director and actor-singer famous for his witty comedy of manners plays, which satirise high society. With a career spanning six decades and over 50 plays, his accolades include honorary Tony and Olivier Awards; The Stage even named him the second most influential playwright in England! In 2006, the Albery Theatre became the Noel Coward Theatre in his honour, and in 2020 the Olivier Awards renamed their comedy gong to the “Noel Coward Award for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play”. 

Want to watch Noel Coward plays in London? Browse what’s currently on in the West End and beyond, and key past productions, below. If your favourite Noel Coward comedies aren’t currently running, you can set an alert for when they return! Future revivals usually feature different casts and creative teams, and are staged at different venues from the past productions listed here.

Hay Fever

Part high farce, part comedy of manners, part satire, Hay Fever is set in the 1920s and follows the Bliss family: Judith, a retired actor, her husband David, a reclusive novelist, and their children, the artsy and bohemian Sorrel and Simon, as they each invite an unexpected guest to their summer house. As the guests arrive and tension rises, chaos ensues. Hay Fever first premiered in 1925 in the West End, and is one of Coward’s best-known and most beloved plays. The show has received Tony and Olivier nominations, mounted countless revivals and adaptations, and starred many notable actors over the decades, including Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi and Phoebe Waller-Bridge

Last On: Currently running at Wyndham’s Theatre until December 12 2026, starring Richard E Grant and Christine Beranksi. 

Blithe Spirit 

This supernatural comedy follows Charles, a novelist who is quite literally haunted by his past relationship. When Charles invites a psychic medium to his home for novel research, she accidentally summons the ghost of his late first wife – and the temperamental spirit soon wreaks havoc on Charles’ new relationship. Blithe Spirit debuted in 1941 and ran for almost 2000 performances, breaking the record for the longest-running play in London at the time. The show was also a success on Broadway, and has been adapted for film twice, in 1945 and in 2020, and as a Broadway musical. Blithe Spirit’s numerous revivals have won Tony, Olivier and Drama Desk Awards. Notable casts have included Angela Lansbury, Joanna Lumley and Rex Harrison. 

 Last On: 2021, Harold Pinter Theatre, starring Jennifer Saunders.

Present Laughter

This comic play follows self-involved actor Garry Essendine as he prepares for a show in Africa. As a series of farcical events unfold, Garry must deal with an impending midlife crisis, relationship issues, and an obsessed playwright. The show began rehearsals in 1939, but was not produced until 1942, due to the Second World War,  premiering in Blackpool, with Coward in the lead role. It is one of Coward’s most popular plays, and has been adapted for radio, television and is frequently revived. Notable productions include an Olivier-winning revival in 2019 starring Andrew Scott and a Tony-winning revival in 2017 starring Kevin Kline. 

Last On: 2019, Old Vic Theatre, starring Andrew Scott and Indira Varma. 

Private Lives

Premiering in Edinburgh in 1930, the play was a critical success – though a second-act love scene was deemed too saucy and was almost censored. In this comedy of manners, a divorced couple discover they are staying in adjacent hotel rooms with their new beaus – and that they may still have feelings for one another… It has been revived many times and adapted for radio, TV and film. Notable casts include John Gielgud, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. The show’s premiere predates both the Olivier and Tony Awards, but subsequent revivals have won awards at both ceremonies. The show was written by Coward in only four days whilst suffering from influenza on an Asian tour!

Last On: 2023, Ambassadors Theatre, starring Nigel Havers and Patricia Lodge.

Relative Values

This satire of snobbery tells the story of the Earl of Marshwood, whose aristocratic family tries to prevent his upcoming second marriage to Miranda, an actress of humble origins. Their scheme is complicated when Miranda’s ex, a Hollywood actor, arrives at the family’s stately home to try and win her back. The show premiered in 1951 and was later adapted into a film in 2000 starring Julie Andrews and Colin Firth. While the show remains popular, it is not revived as frequently as some of Coward’s other plays; though several notable revivals have been staged with casts including Sarah Brightman, Rory Bremner and Caroline Quentin.       

Last On: 2014, Harold Pinter Theatre, starring Patricia Hodge, Caroline Quentin and Rory Bremner.

What Are Noel Coward’s Most Famous Plays?

The most famous Noel Coward plays include ghostly satire Blithe Spirit and saucy relationship drama Private Lives. Other very popular plays include Hay Fever and Present Laughter, which arguably gained more acclaim following Andrew Scott’s award-winning turn in the 2019 Old Vic production.  

How Often Are Noel Coward Plays Performed in London?

Coward remains one of the UK’s most popular playwrights, and his plays are frequently revived. 

Check out upcoming and currently running shows above, or set an alert for revivals of your favourites! 

Where Can I Find Out More About Works by Noel Coward? 

You can learn more about Noel Coward’s life by reading a Noel Coward biography at the Britannica website or on the Noel Coward archive site, and learn more about Coward’s published work at the Concord Theatricals website.  

What Else Can I See If I Like Noel Coward Plays?

Fans of Coward’s sparkling wit, delicious bon mots and scathing dissections of the upper classes should try plays by Oscar Wilde, including A Woman of No Importance, An Ideal Husband, and The Importance of Being Earnest. 

Those who are looking for shows with a more modern twist on farce should check out slapstick comedy The Play That Goes Wrong, London’s longest-running comedy play, or Michael Frayn’s hilarious Noises Off. 

Coward was a gay writer, and while he didn’t publicly disclose his sexuality during his career, it has been discussed candidly since his death, including by his partner of 30 years, Graham Payn. Though Coward may not have been able to be openly gay, his works are filled with queer subtext and a camp sensibility. For a modern take on camp, check out the autobiographical play My Son’s A Queer But What Can You Do? Or fabulously filthy history play Oh, Mary!.