Cover image for Private Lives by Noel Coward

Private Lives

OCTOBER 13 – 29, 1994
By Noel Coward
Directed by Michael Booth

Private Lives is a 1930s comedy of manners in three acts by Noël Coward. It concerns a divorced couple who, while honeymooning with their new spouses, discover they are staying in adjacent rooms at the same hotel. Despite a perpetually stormy relationship, they realize they still have feelings for each other.

Noël Coward

Sir Noël Coward (1899-1973) remains an iconic figure in the realms of British theatre, film, and music, celebrated for his multifaceted talents as a playwright, composer, actor and director. Born on December 16, 1899, in Teddington, Middlesex, Coward’s wit and sophistication defined an era.

Coward’s prolific career spanned several decades, producing timeless works such as Private Lives, Blithe Spirit and Hay Fever. His distinctive writing style, characterized by sharp dialogue and keen observations of social manners, cemented his status as a master of comedy. Not confined to the stage, Coward seamlessly transitioned into cinema, starring in and directing films like Brief Encounter and In Which We Serve.

A multi-talented artist, Coward’s musical talents shone through in his compositions, with hits like Mad About the Boy and I’ll See You Again. His impact on entertainment extended beyond the creative sphere, influencing fashion and popular culture.

Knighted in 1970, Sir Noël Coward’s legacy endures as a symbol of wit, elegance, and artistic brilliance. His contributions to the arts earned him admiration worldwide, and his influence on the cultural landscape left an indelible mark.

 

Cast & Creative

Creative Team:

Director Michael Booth
Set Designer Michael Meloche 
Lighting Designer Jennifer Brumer
Assistant Lighting Designer Mari Crozier 
Costume Designer Irene Pieper
Assistant Costume Designer Teona Bisson
Sound Designer Michael Hessler 
Movement Kaz Piesowocki

Cast:

Amanda Prynne Florence MacGregor
Victor Prynne Matthew J.H. Bissett
Louise Miranda Duffy
Sibyl Chase Bernadette McKelvey
Elyot Chase Tim Crofton

PROGRAMME