It's odd to find an Englishman in Jeff Harnar’s American Songbook in London series but John Standing is no ordinary Englishman. Few are better qualified to tell the stories, recite the monologues and sing the classic numbers that remind everyone that a certain Englishman belongs in the same league as Broadway’s best.

That immortal songwriter and playwright was, of course, Noël Coward, whom Standing first met as a 10-year-old. His actress mother, you see, was playing opposite the Master in Blithe Spirit.

Coming from such a thespian family — “My grandfather was an actor, I mean to say, what hope was there?” — he too trod the boards, co-starring with Maggie Smith in Private Lives, before joining an early Brit-assault on Hollywood. Naturally his reminiscences are many and largely unprintable.

Spiritedly backed by pianist Stuart Barr, Standing’s racy style gives Coward’s work the necessary energy and a bonus touch of authenticity. It’s a treat, too, to hear young listeners chuckling for the first time over Mad Dogs and Englishmen (Go Out in the Midday Sun) or Don’t Put Your Daughter on the Stage, Mrs Worthington (whose lyric rhymes “Peer Gynt” with “squint”).

Tonight and tomorrow.
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