Review: PRIVATE LIVES, Theatre Royal Brighton - UK tour

Photo credit: Tristram Kenton

Picture this. A lovely warm summer’s eve on a balcony in Deauville, France in 1930. The warm air, the setting sun reflecting on the water, soft romantic music playing. The perfect honeymoon destination, right? That is until your insufferable ex shows up on the balcony next door…  

One of theatrical royalty Noel Coward’s classic comedies, Private Lives, has us belly laughing from the jump and leaves us happily chuckling to ourselves on the bus home. The play itself is wonderfully written, if not at times a little dated in its format and formality, yet Christopher Luscombe’s direction for the five-strong cast really helps the material shine in a classic yet strange modern light and helps bring an entirely entertaining two hours! 

Acting legends Patricia Hodge and Nigel Havers play wonderfully in the roles of the most unromantic romantic leads in theatre, Amanda and Elyot. Their chemistry is unmistakable and incredibly touching and both effortlessly make the characters seem so grounded yet completely theatrical and hilarious! The couple’s seamless synchronicity in one particular scene in the play’s third act will have you roaring with laughter the entire night. In the roles of the couple’s estranged spouses, Victor and Sybil, Dugald Bruce-Lockhart and Natalie Walter bring some wonderful performances. The characters bring just enough unlikeable energy that we root for Amanda and Elyot to rekindle their old flame and both actors play their roles to perfection. Aicha Kossoko’s portrayal of the maid, Louise, really rounds off the cast and despite spending very little time on stage, really steals the scene and brings a beautiful new energy to the play. 

Private Lives is such a fun, classic theatrical night out and we couldn’t recommend it enough, Besties!

A fun, classic theatrical night out.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Natalie Pedro

Catch the rest of the show’s Brighton run at Theatre Royal until 16 April here, before the tour moves on to Theatre Royal Nottingham.