The wit of Lady Peel

Portrait by Yousuf Karsh

Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.' Beatrice (Bea) Lillie (Actress, revue artiste, icon, aka Lady Peel)


Bea Lillie and Noel Coward on the Riviera, 1920s