Reviewer: Megan Hyland
Upstaged Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
As the inaugural production for The Nigel Havers Theatre Company, Private Lives is everything that you would want it to be. It is a charming and hilarious performance of Noël Coward’s 1930s classic farce, starring Havers himself alongside Patricia Hodge OBE as divorced couple Elyot and Amanda, who find themselves in the unfortunate position of sharing a honeymoon destination following their second marriages.
It feels as though these roles were written for Havers and Hodge.
Despite being written just under 100 years ago – and Coward himself taking on the original role of Elyot – it feels as though these roles were written for Havers and Hodge. They bring every inch of the sophistication, charm, and intensity that Coward intended for these characters, and manage to make them feel thoroughly modern whilst remaining respectful and true to the 1930s setting. This is a testament to their well-deserved places as two of the nation’s favourite actors.
Best known for his roles in films such as Chariots of Fire (1981) and Empire of the Sun (1987), as well as a vast number of theatre credits and a role in Coronation Street between 2009-2019, Nigel Havers has established himself as the perfect English gentlemen time-and-time again. However, in the role of Elyot, he allows us to take a trip behind the curtain and reveals the fury that can lie beneath. Elyot is quick-tempered, bitter, and cruel; yet somehow Havers’ masterful acting and Coward’s excellent script make us like him all the same. He is consistently clever and occasionally genuine, but charmingly well-rounded.
The perfect match to Havers’ temperamental Elyot comes in the form of Patricia Hodge’s powerful Amanda. Like Havers, Hodge is no stranger to the stage or screen, having been nominated for two Olivier Awards for Best Actress in a Musical, and starring in series such as Jemima Shore Investigates (1983) and Miranda (2009-2015). As Amanda, she is truly exceptional, displaying expert command of the stage and delivering a thoroughly interesting and complex character that draws us in instantly. She is every bit as intelligent as Elyot – perhaps even more so, and she makes it known.
Yet as talented and skilful as they are in their own rights, it is Hodge and Havers together that is genuine magic. They carry off Coward’s cleverly crafted dialogue with grace and quick wit that one can only assume comes as naturally to them as it appears. Their scenes together flow so organically that you can almost forget that it is rehearsed, with flawless comedic timing from both; allowing the audience to feel the full impact of Coward’s wicked humour. Even with the added task of performing Coward’s original melancholy score, Hodge and Havers lend their voices to his music with sophistication and 1930s style.
As their spouses, the shrieking Sibyl and vehement Victor; Natalie Walter and Duglad Bruce-Lockhart successfully follow suit in bringing the ’30s to life on stage. With their over-the-top, old-fashioned speech, and the way in which they adapt to their roles as jealous husband and melodramatic wife, they are archetypes of ’30s pop culture and play off each other expertly. However, at times they feel slightly cartoonish in comparison to the free-flowing wit of Havers and Hodge, and their dialogue borders on stiff and unnatural.
Designer Simon Higlett has created a visually stunning production that perfectly captures the essence of Coward’s narrative.
It would be difficult to discuss the way in which Private Lives establishes and holds true to the time period without mentioning the fantastic set and costume design. Designer Simon Higlett has created a visually stunning production that perfectly captures the essence of Coward’s narrative whilst elevating his original concepts using more modern techniques and set pieces. The way in which lighting designer Mark Jonathan conveys the passage of time using pink, golden, and blue hues; combined with Higlett’s masterful set pieces is truly outstanding. And costume supervisor Karen Large has done a fantastic job with the costumes, providing the quintessential art-deco glamour that Coward was known for.
Whether you are familiar with Noël Coward’s work or not, Private Lives remains as integral and hilarious as it has ever been. The way in which Coward explores the marriages of high society and the fragility – and ferocity – of their relationships stands the test of time, and with the help of epic talents Nigel Havers and Patricia Hodge, it is both accessible and irresistible to a 21st-century audience.
-Megan Hyland
Private Lives runs at The Lowry, Salford until Saturday 19 February.