AFTER THE BALL was one of Noel Coward's most ambitious projects, an operetta version of Oscar Wilde's "Lady Windermere's Fan", with 3 of his favourite artistes in leading roles: Graham Payn, Vanessa Lee and Mary Ellis.

Graham Payn was Coward's real-life companion, who introduced Coward's "Matelot" to great success in London. Mary Ellis and Vanessa Lee were two of the greatest operatic singers of the time and to have Payn, Lee and Ellis here in AFTER THE BALL is a rare treat indeed. The show had a rocky road to the stage and closed after only 188 performances at the Globe Theatre.

The score features some of Coward's most intricate and complex compositions. Vanessa Lee's "Aria" is breathtaking and other highlights include "Light is the Heart", "All My Life Ago", "Mr Hopper's Chanty" and "Bright Clear Morning", though the entire score as a whole is amazing.

Sepia has filled out the disc with other Noel Coward delights including (yes) Graham Payn's rendition of "Matelot", Mary Martin performing "My Horse Has Cast a Shoe" from PACIFIC 1860 and joining Payn for "Bright Was the Day". Vanessa Lee performs two numbers from GAY'S THE WORD - "Finder Please Return" and "On Such a Night as This".

So wonderful that this score has finally been paid it's due.