In the first place, she is a thorough professional and can act. In the second place, she can sing and dance. In the third place she is quick-witted, intelligent and hilariously funny, even with the book in her hand. I cannot believe what I endured with Beattie. But never, never, never again.
Life is too short for such incessant torment.
But he was not yet free of torment. Originally cast in the role of Elvira, Fenella Fielding was quickly replaced by Marti Stevens, rehearsals under the direction of Timothy Gray and Coward's friend Graham Payn becoming more and more chaotic. When he was cruel to me, I couldn't be funny any more. ABC-Paramount Records preserved the New York cast performing Martin and Gray's delightful High Spirits score. But hearing it once again in its digital reincarnation we are permitted to enjoy the marvelous talents of Beatrice Lillie in one of her few musical comedy roles, along with the delicious Tammy Grimes, whose musical stage appearances have been all too infrequent through the years.