Pemberton-Billing, Noel
Entry updated 31 August 2024. Tagged: Author, Theatre.
(1881-1948) UK aviator, inventor, author, publisher and Member of Parliament for Hertford 1916-1921, who saw military service in the second Boer War; in Australia from 1918. His surname has also been given without the hyphen. He is of sf interest for the play High Treason (first performed 1928; ?1929), inspired by Fritz Lang's Metropolis (1927) and set in the then Near Future of 1940 or 1950. The action involves terrorist-instigated conflict between the United States of Europe and the Empire of the Atlantic States, and between the ideals of pacifism and the practicality of avoiding Future War, eventually resolved by melodramatic action when the pacifist shoots the European President to forestall his declaration of war. This play was filmed as High Treason (1929) directed by Maurice Elvey. [DRL]
Noel Pemberton-Billing
born Hampstead, London: 31 January 1881
died Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex [in his moored yacht]: 11 November 1948
works (selected)
- High Treason (place not given: for the author, ?1929) [first performed 1928 Strand Theatre: limited edition of 25 copies: hb/]
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