fajrdrako | A pair of anecdotes... (Reply)

Before I return the Ivor Novello biography to the library, I wanted to remember two gay-themed anecdotes for my own amusement.

The first is about the actor-manager Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and his wife.

Sir Herbert sat up very late after dinner enjoying a close tete-a-tete with an extremely handsome young actor. His wife decided to go to bed, and, at the door, wishing them goodnight, murmured: "Remember, Herbert, it's adultery all the same."

I would be curious to know which of the three recorded the incident.

The other story is a quip by Noel Coward:

Coward's friend...Sir Dudley Pound often enterained with his wife on board the flagship, and Noel was asked to invite as many people as he liked to a big cocktail party. Ivor, of course, was included.... "Noel," said one of the ladies, "I have a dreadful feeling we've asked too many queer people." Noel reassured her. "If we take care of the pansies, the Pounds will take care of themselves."