Noël Coward's 1930 masterpiece 'Private Lives' has been revitalized by Her Productions in a production that expertly balances comedy with malice. The play centers around the acrimonious divorce of Amanda and Elyot, who reconnect during their honeymoon with new partners. As they rekindle their fierce love, a volatile dance ensues between desire and violence.
Director Amy Gavin's take on the play excels when walking the tightrope between carnality and cruelty, showcasing the tumultuous relationship between Amanda and Elyot. With stunning performances from Hannah Ellis Ryan as Amanda and Charlie Nobel as Elyot, their on-stage chemistry sizzles with a raw energy that quickly turns ugly.
However, Gavin's intervention of projecting images from the couple's troubled marriage onto the backdrop during performances feels unnecessary and heavy-handed, disrupting the tension.
The supporting cast delivers strong, if somewhat uneven, performances. Her Productions' artistic director Hannah Ellis Ryan shines as Amanda, her sophisticated veneer barely concealing a restless energy that erupts when she reunites with Elyot. Charlie Nobel's take on Elyot lacks the charm that initially draws Amanda to him, leaving their reunion feeling somewhat contrived.
Despite Gavin's well-intentioned efforts to amplify the play's brutal elements, they sometimes feel like an afterthought, detracting from the nuance and depth of the story. By prioritizing extremity over subtlety, the production risks losing its emotional resonance, making it harder for audiences to invest in Coward's timeless tale nearly a century on.
Ultimately, 'Private Lives' is a masterclass in balancing laughter and malice, and Her Productions' revival delivers an unforgettable theatrical experience – but one that requires patience and attention from both its audience and performers.
Director Amy Gavin's take on the play excels when walking the tightrope between carnality and cruelty, showcasing the tumultuous relationship between Amanda and Elyot. With stunning performances from Hannah Ellis Ryan as Amanda and Charlie Nobel as Elyot, their on-stage chemistry sizzles with a raw energy that quickly turns ugly.
However, Gavin's intervention of projecting images from the couple's troubled marriage onto the backdrop during performances feels unnecessary and heavy-handed, disrupting the tension.
The supporting cast delivers strong, if somewhat uneven, performances. Her Productions' artistic director Hannah Ellis Ryan shines as Amanda, her sophisticated veneer barely concealing a restless energy that erupts when she reunites with Elyot. Charlie Nobel's take on Elyot lacks the charm that initially draws Amanda to him, leaving their reunion feeling somewhat contrived.
Despite Gavin's well-intentioned efforts to amplify the play's brutal elements, they sometimes feel like an afterthought, detracting from the nuance and depth of the story. By prioritizing extremity over subtlety, the production risks losing its emotional resonance, making it harder for audiences to invest in Coward's timeless tale nearly a century on.
Ultimately, 'Private Lives' is a masterclass in balancing laughter and malice, and Her Productions' revival delivers an unforgettable theatrical experience – but one that requires patience and attention from both its audience and performers.
it's like they're trying to make me feel all the emotions at once 
& can we talk about how stunning Hannah Ellis Ryan is as Amanda? 
she totally brings that character to life 
but sometimes I feel like Charlie Nobel's Elyot is just a little too perfect 
anyhoo, 10/10 would recommend 'Private Lives' if you're up for a wild ride 
... Don't get me wrong, the leads were on point - Hannah Ellis Ryan as Amanda was stunning! But for me, the whole thing felt like it was relying too much on shock value rather than actually developing the characters. Those projected images during performances? More cringeworthy than confrontational in my opinion 
... And can we talk about how they completely upstaged Charlie Nobel's Elyot? I mean, I get that he wasn't the initial charm, but come on! The whole production felt like it was trying too hard to be edgy instead of just letting the script shine through 
! However, I felt like their characters deserved more development, especially with how quickly they fall back into their old ways 
. I get that it's a 1930 play and all about the toxic love between Amanda and Elyot, but sometimes I felt like we were being hit over the head with the "bad relationship" vibe 
. All in all, it's still an incredible show, just needed to find that perfect balance between laughs and drama 
.
. Give me a good old-fashioned witty repartee any day...
. The whole vibe of 'Private Lives' is about the messy, complicated stuff that happens between people in relationships, and sometimes less is more, you know? 
Hannah Ellis Ryan's performance as Amanda was amazing 
, and Charlie Nobel did a great job too 
. I love how 'Private Lives' balances comedy with all the drama and angst... it's like that crazy math problem where you gotta balance the humor and the heartbreak at the same time