25th Anniversary of the death of Coward’s “Nanny”

Last year, the Noël Coward Archive was contacted by one of Coward’s godsons, Christopher Lister, son of Bert Lister (renowned dresser, valet, chauffeur and sometime stage manager to Noël Coward) who died 25 years ago this winter. Christopher, who describes himself has “one of Coward’s lesser known godchildren” has donated some wonderful photos from his own ‘family album’ to our digital archive and he can be found in a photograph taken at the birthday of Mary Martin’s daughter. Other photos include Coward on holiday with Joyce Carey, and a picture taken in Pretoria during WWII of Coward and Bert Lister, whom Coward nicknamed ‘Nanny’. They will be available to see in the Noel Coward Room & Library when we reopen.

Lister’s name pops up many times throughout the published diaries, letters and biographies. Philip Hoare, the author of one of those biographies wrote Lister’s obituary in the Independent, which gives a very good overview of his life. You can read it here: https://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/obituary-bert-lister-5641504.html

What’s your Coward Connection? Do you have any stories, photos, books, music, or any other memorabilia you would like to share with us or donate to the Archive? We’d love to hear from you, so please do get in touch with cowardoffice@alanbrodie.com