Noel Coward isn't every ones cup of tea. To be honest, it's not my favorite theatrical drink, but I appreciate it for what it is, and even enjoy certain flavors of it. Noel Coward has a very dry, and somewhat old fashioned sensibility. What makes his work stand the test of time is that he has always written about the human condition using characters that are somewhat relate able no matter what time period they reside in.
Take Amanda and Elyot, who are a couple of divorces from the 1930s. What they are going through could be happening to anyone. They have been divorced for 5 years, and are now each on their honeymoon with new partners, only to discover that they are honeymooning at the same hotel, in hotel rooms with side by side balconies. They discover that though their relationship was tumultuous that they still have feelings for each other. Comedy (and drama) ensues.
The recent Broadway Revival (the 4th) was as good a production as I think you could ask for. The cast was led superbly by Kim Cattrall (Sex and the City) as Amanda and Paul Gross as Elyot. The supporting cast of Simon Paisley Day, Ana Madeley, and Caroline Lena, Olsson were also quite good if a bit tiresome.
The costume design was perfect, though the set design was a bit odd for my taste. There wasn't anything wrong with it, but the second and third act set was too expansive for my taste. A slightly smaller playing area would have suited the piece better. The script is filled with clever Noel Coward puns and one liners. It's also filled with so much sex and sensuality one wonders how this played to audiences in the 1930's (and other decades for that matter).
Unfortunately despite excellent notices from The Times and other publications Private Lives ended it's run prematurely at the end of December.
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