Private Lives

Review by Luke Graham

This production of Noel Coward’s 1930 comedy was an absolute delight, featuring a warring couple, put-upon spouses and a very grumpy French maid.

‘Private Lives’ is about bitter divorcees Elyot and Amanda, who separated five years ago. They have married new spouses and are on their respective honeymoons. Unfortunately, they’re in adjacent rooms at the same hotel in the south of France. Will seeing one another rekindle their old love, or just give them the chance to air out old, petty grievances?

Elyot and Amanda must carry the show. They have the most stage time and get all the best lines. Fortunately, Bournemouth Little Theatre cast Topher Lynn and Daisy Norton in the roles, and both are excellent. Topher is especially good, with a fantastically expressive face, impeccable comic timing and hilarious mannerisms. I’ve never seen someone make the act of eating brioche and drinking a cup of coffee so funny! Daisy matches him beat for beat as the vivacious Amanda.

The rest of the cast are also very good, though their characters aren’t given as much to do by the script. Lauren Killham plays Sybil, Elyot’s new wife, who spends much of the play sobbing over her awful husband. Sam Sheppard has a great physical presence as Victor, Amanda’s partner. He and Lauren get to have a very entertaining row at the play’s climax.

The 1930s era is faithfully depicted, with lush art deco stage design and glamourous costumes. I especially liked Elyot’s James Bond-esque white suit in Act I.

Applause to a brilliant cast, ably directed by Barry Gray.