Manchester Theatre News & Reviews

REVIEW - Private Lives captures the elegance and humour of Coward’s world and gives you an enjoyable night out

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On Tuesday, we were invited to the Octagon Theatre, Bolton to see Private Lives. Read what our reviewer, Lizzie Johnston thought about this fun production...

When you walk into the Octagon for Private Lives, you’re instantly taken to the glamorous world of 1930s France. The set is stunning, with pastel colours, balcony railings and chic art deco touches that perfectly capture the style and elegance of the period. It feels luxurious, and the attention to detail really sets the tone for the evening. You know straight away that this is going to be a production filled with sophistication.

The play itself is one of Noël Coward’s classics, following divorced couple Amanda and Elyot who end up honeymooning in neighbouring hotel rooms with their new partners. What should be a fresh start quickly unravels as old sparks fly, and the pair are drawn back together in a whirlwind of love, passion and arguments. It’s witty, sharp and very typically Coward, with clever one-liners and cutting exchanges.

The performances embrace that style with gusto. Pepter Lunkuse’s (The Beautiful Future is Coming, Noises Off, Hamlet) Amanda is played with elegance and bite, making her both glamorous and unpredictable. Opposite Lunkuse is Chirag Benedict Lobo (Life of Pi, The Circle, Rope) as Elyot, who is suave and self-assured, but just as quick-tempered - making for a well matched duo. Their fiery back-and-forth is at the heart of the show and keeps the audience entertained.

Playing aside Lunkuse and Lobo are the new spouses - Sibyl and Victor, who are also great fun. Sade Malone (Sive, A Streetcar Named Desire, Lord of the Flies) and Ashley Gerlach (Macbeth, Coriolanus, Hamlet) take on these roles with elements of humour and the purpose of keeping things light - their over-the-top reactions and dramatics help maintain the comedic style of the play.

What stands out most, though, is the Octagon’s staging. The intimate size of the auditorium and setup means you’re right there with the characters, almost part of the arguments yourself. Every look, every sigh and every sarcastic quip feels more intense because of how close you are. It’s a setting that suits this play well, especially as the tension between Amanda and Elyot grows.

The set change is also really well done, moving us from a stylish hotel balcony to a more homely Parisian flat. It’s clever and smooth, and together with the costumes it really captures the Coward charm. The costumes were a particular favourite of mine - beautiful flowing dresses, sharp tuxedos and silk pyjamas. It all looks effortless and gives the whole production a polished finish.

The play is simple in its context - with only two locations, one for each act. This means the focus is on the character’s interactions on the story itself. The use of witty dialogue keeps the pace up and makes the play stay on the comedic side of the story - steering away from what could be a darker take on the toxic, destructive nature of Amanda and Elyot’s relationship. This doesn’t go amiss though, as there are moments that remind the audience of the realities of this duo and why they divorced in the first place.

If you’re a fan of Coward, this production is for you. The structure, set and plot are what you’d expect of Coward and stay true to the material - although there are a few modernised takes.

Overall, Private Lives at the Octagon is stylish, witty and visually gorgeous. It’s not perfect but it captures the elegance and humour of Coward’s world and gives you an enjoyable night out. If you’re looking for a classic that delivers both glamour and comedy, this production does exactly that.

WE SCORE PRIVATE LIVES...