Ever had that awkward moment where you have bumped into an ex and felt immediate sparks? How about when you are on a honeymoon and your ex is staying next door on their honeymoon and you bump into each other in the corridor and have a cocktail and feel instant chemistry, no?

Noel Coward has a knack for clever plots, sexy couples and always a dirty martini or two!

Whingy Sibil (Eloise Mignon) and Elyot (Toby Schmitz) are honeymooning on the French Rivera and things seem ever so blissful with champagne flowing. Next door recently married couple Amanda (Zahra Newman) and Victor (Toby Truslove) are also celebrating the recent nuptials in the adjoining suite. Small problem being that both Elyot and Amanda were previously involved and there is still a small bit of unrequited love. Throw together a lovers tiff, one to many cocktails and an accidental meeting and things are bound to get interesting.

Ralph Myers has directed something that is cheeky, clever and a lot of fun as his first main stage production for Belvoir.

Noel Coward defined sexy, stylish and fabulous in an age that was responsible for the afternoon cocktail and smoking jacket. Coward was known for his witty stories often involving boozed up wealthy couples who find themselves in a spot of trouble. Coward’s writing is the epitome of the 1930s and 1940s and the best way to describe it in one word is stylish!

Alice Babidge has helped maintain the style that is Coward’s works. The costumes are modern but yet ever so stylish that is typical of a Coward play.

Now let’s talk actors. Toby Schmitz is simply fabulous as Elyot Chase. A typical lout with too much money, alcohol and a fondness for arguing his point. Zahra Newman as Amanda Prynne is a head strong woman who is quite happy to match Elyot in his drinking and arguing. Eloise Mignon as Sibyl Chase is whingy, whiny and a little annoying and you can see why Elyot decided to flee her on his honeymoon… there is nothing attractive about a whingy adult.

Either you love or hate Noel Coward and Private Lives is definitely worth viewing if you are a fan. If you are a Toby Schmitz or Toby Truslove fan then you are going to enjoy it even more! There’s a lot of time prancing around the stage in a bathrobe which is quite enjoyable, but there is nothing sexy about grandfather undies!

Private Lives are currently playing at Belvoir.

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