Review: "Private Lives"at the Royal Alex

In the March 27, 1973 obituary of Noël Coward, The Times wrote, “None of the great figures of the English theatre has been more versatile than he,” and the venerable British daily ranked his work in “the classical tradition of Congreve, Sheridan, Wilde, and Shaw.”

That is the beauty of a Coward play- it’s relevant even in this our brave new age, and Private Lives is no exception. Written in 1930, the “comedy of manners” is classic Coward at his glorious best: wry wit, impossible glamour, with tongue firmly planted in cheek.

Set in the 1930 of the moneyed, privileged set, (not the bread-line, dust-bowl set that usually denotes the time period) Private Lives focuses on a divorced couple who unexpected honeymoon at the same French Riviera hotel with their new spouses. Despite a previously tempestuous relationship, the aforementioned couple (Elyot and Amanda) defies propriety, and rekindles their romance. Suffice to say shenanigans ensue.

This latest revival of Private Lives directed by Richard Eyre, stars Kim Cattrall (Sex and the City) as the glamourous, spirited Amanda, and Paul Gross (Due South) as the elegant, rakish Elyot. Both are utterly superb in their respective roles, deftly navigating through Coward’s repartee with perfect timing. They are well supported by Simon Paisley Day as Victor, and Anna Madeley as Sybil.

The production was originally produced to critical acclaim, at the Vaudeville Theatre in London, with Cattrall in the Amanda role. The Toronto production will run until October 30, then transfers to Broadway. Undoubtedly, the “Great White Way” will bestow glowing accolades, and rightfully so. As mentioned, Private Lives has a limited run at the Royal Alex Theatre, 260 King West, until October 30. For more information, visit www.mirvish.com/shows/privatelives.