Ivor Novello: Peter Noble

Welsh actor, dramatist, singer and composer who became one of the most popular British entertainers of the first half of the 20th century. Ivor Novello's sudden death on March 6, 1951 was a blow to the English theatre and a tragedy felt by people the world over. This biography was written with his complete co-operation and is not only an account of a fabulous career but a warm study of personality containing many glimpses of the British stage over fifty years. Among Novello's well-known songs are Keep the Home Fires Burning^, Fold Your Wings, Shine Through My Dreams and Rose of England. After World War I he wrote successfully for musical comedy and revue and built a silent film career on the strength of one publicity photograph. He dominated the British musical theatre from the mid-1930s until 1950. His sudden death came two hours after he had performed in the stage play of King's Rhapsody. Illustrated with black and white archival photographs.