Noel Coward's Private Lives @ The Lyceum

Noel Coward’s Private Lives, put on at the Lyceum, is an absolutely delightful production, one that seems almost tailor-made for the opulence of the Lyceum. The set and costume design are absolutely flawless, and the actors remarkably well cast. This production is one that could inspire and delight even the most hardened of theatre critics, and much of it comes down to the insight and sensitivity of Private Lives’ director, Martin Duncan. Having acted in other Noel Coward plays, Duncan’s admiration of the work itself is very apparent in the staging, all in the best way possible.

Now to be sure, Noel Coward’s plays, Private Lives in particular, might not be for everyone. There is an element of slapstick to the performance that is not often found in critically regarded plays, so although there are laughs aplenty, some may come cheaper than others. However, the dialogue remains airy and light throughout the play, and is the perfect blend of witty and honest. There’s a reason Coward’s work is so well loved, even eighty years on.

The most magnificent thing about this particular performance, however, is undoubtedly the costumes and set. The curtains open on a veranda attached to a large French hotel, and despite using only perhaps the front third of the Lyceum’s generous stage, it is an aesthetic wonder that draws the eye up. The second set of the evening, a stunning Paris apartment, does not disappoint either. All in all, Noel Coward’s Private Lives is a visually and intellectually luscious performance, more than worthy of a viewing by anyone who professes themselves to be a lover of theatre.