Private Lives
Noel Coward was a prolific writer and actor who appeared in numerous productions in the capital during his time. Amongst his well known works was his play “Private Lives”, which brought an old couple back together in a destructive way as their new lives suffer the results.
Private Lives first appeared on a London stage at the Phoenix Theatre in 1930, having previously been seen in theatres across the country on a national tour. Coward himself starred in the original production, which premiered at the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh and soon found great success in the capital as Laurence Olivier, Gertrude Lawrence and Adrian Allen rounded out the stellar cast.
In 2010, “Private Lives” once again features an unbeatable cast of actors as “Sex and the City” star Kim Cattrall appears alongside Simon Paisley Day, Lisa Dillon and Matthew Macfadyen at the Vaudeville Theatre.
Cattrall, whilst best known for her film and television roles in the likes of “Sex and the City”, “Big Trouble in Little China” and “Police Academy”, has also found success on the stage. It means that she also has credits that include “Whose Life is it Anyway?” at the Donmar Warehouse, “The Cryptogram” at the Donmar Warehouse and “Wild Honey” at the National Theatre.
Her co-star Matthew Macfadyen has appeared in a range of television shows for the BBC such as “Spooks” (as Tom Quinn), “Ashes to Ashes” and “Criminal Justice II”, as well as in movies like “Pride & Prejudice” in 2005. However, he has worked extensively for the Royal Shakespeare Company in shows like “The School for Scandal” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and in additional productions such as “The Pain and the Itch” at the Royal Court Theatre and “Henry IV” at the National Theatre.
Private Lives introduces us to two reckless lovers who reignite a long-dormant passion and betray their new companions along the way. They take the form of Elyot and Amanda, two divorcees who have been separated from one another for several years, meeting new people and remarrying in the interim. However, they come face to face across adjoining hotel balconies when they both happen to honeymoon with their partners in the same location in Southern France. Suddenly a romance they thought they’d left behind is reignited as they continue where they left off without a care in the world.
“Private Lives” is due to appear at the Vaudeville Theatre from Wednesday 3rd March 2010 (previews from Wednesday 24th February 2010) to Saturday 1st May 2010.
