Mad Dogs & Englishmen: A Brief History

Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun,
The Japanese don't care to, the Chinese wouldn't dare to
Hindus and Argentines sleep firmly from twelve to one
But Englishmen detest-a siesta.

So wrote Noel Coward in 1930.  He was only 31 at the time and had already appeared in over a dozen plays in London as well as writing 5 plays and a semi-Viennese operetta entitled "Bitter Sweet."  Of the five plays "Private Lives" would be regarded as one of the greatest comedies in the English language rivaling anything by any of his contemporaries, even Oscar Wilde.  Coward was the the first true theatrical renaissance man -- actor, writer, director, lyricist, composer, producer and painter.  His reign over London's West End and New York's Broadway lasted through the war and into the fifties by which time a new wave of gritty realistic playwrights had seized control from Coward.  Not to be phased out, Coward changed his life entirely, living in Jamaica, painting surprisingly well, and becoming a huge cabaret star in Las Vegas rivaling the Rat Pack and preceding Elvis Presley, Wayne Newton, and the new generation of acrobats and magicians.

Of the nearly 500 songs he wrote during his life, "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" remains his most famous comic number -- on concert tours during World War II both Churchill and Roosevelt would specifically request Coward to sing it.

It's such a surprise for the Eastern eyes to see,
That through the English are effete, they're quite impervious to heat

Noel died in Jamaica (of his own accord) in March 1973 leaving behind a legacy of plays, stories, musicals, songs, friends, and 27 godchildren, the youngest of whom, Hugo Morley, can be found most nights pouring drinks in the restaurant that bears the name of his godfather's famous song.

At twelve noon the natives swoon and no further work is done,
But mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.

This historical sketch was written by Mad Dogs bartender Hugo Morley, godson of Noel Coward and son of Sheridan Morley who, among other things, edited " The Noel Coward Diaries." Coincidentally, Hugo is the nephew of Mad Dogs co-owner Wilton Morley and the grandson of the late British actor Robert Morley.  The co-owner of Mad Dogs is Rick Craig who isn't related to anyone interesting.