Theatre Royal Nottingham – until Saturday 23 April 2022
Reviewed by Louise Ford
4****
Few people are completely normal, deep down in their private lives.
Private Lives was written by Noel Coward in 1930. He wrote the play with himself and Gertrude Lawrence as the two main characters. They were in their early thirties and the toast of London Society. At the time of the first performance the play was judged to be controversial and too risqué and Coward had to plead his case to the Lord Chamberlain. The cause for alarm in the 1930s was divorce, co-habitation and sex, I’m not sure those issues would cause anyone to bat an eyelid today, however the issue of domestic violence may be of a concern.
The main characters are Elyot and Amanda, a divorced couple who meet again whilst on honeymoon with their new spouses in not only the same hotel and but in adjacent rooms. In the current production the roles are played by the slightly more mature Nigel Havers and Patricia Hodge. Whilst a “change is as good as a rest” should be welcomed when looking at the casting of a play or a role to ensure that the production stays fresh and new; the age of the main characters did not sit very comfortably for me. I think that the issue is that you would not expect the second time around relationship to be anymore aware if they were still relatively young. You would perhaps expect people to get more sensible with age, or maybe not! Having said that the lines delivered after the tryst on the sofa are given more poignancy ,”It certainly is horrid when one begins to crumble”. The respective entrances on to the stage by Havers and Hodge were greeted with applause and appreciation from the audience.
The opening scene is a softly lit (lighting by Mark Jonathan) confectionery of a hotel (set by Simon Higlett) complete with a sound track of breaking waves and seagulls. It’s a world of cocktails, dressing for diner and speculating on just whose yacht it is in the harbour. Where the only mention of money is the casino and the only person who does any work is the maid. The action and dialogue are nicely paced and build to the climax which changes the location completely. The second act is a beautiful contrast to the innocent wedding cake hotel. It is set in Amanda’s Parisienne flat,all deep reds,dark curtains and passion! This is where the pace picks up, with drinking, singing, dancing and fighting.
The new spouses Sibyl (Natalie Walter) and Victor (Dugald Bruce-Lokhart), provide a strong contrast to the originals. Both are neurotic and insecure in not only themselves but also in this new adventure….marriage. Sibyl is a little shrill and has hopes and expectations which are overshadowed by the glamorous first wife. Whereas Victor is a decent dependable country chap at home in his tweeds and at sea in his evening dress. How could they ever compete with their witty,urbane predecessors ?
As you would expect from Coward it is a delightful comedy of icy manners and politeness with some lovely one-liners and rallies of insults and put downs. On the whole the dialogue has stood the test of time. The repartee is delivered beautifully by Havers and Hodge. With the odd knowing look to the audience as the more double entendre lines are delivered. Havers looks particularly dashing in his dressing gown and monogrammed slippers. The final scene in the flat when the roles are reversed and the gloves are off is a delightful tennis match of jibes and blows, with Elyot and Amanda eating their petit-dejeuner and watching the private lives of the English abroad.