Private Lives 27 Jan - 19 Feb 2011

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A riotous comedy of manners

Affluent, alluring and hedonistic divorcees Elyot Chase and Amanda Prynne accidentally arrive at the same French hotel to honeymoon with their respective new partners. After five years of separation they meet by chance and their insatiable feelings for each other are immediately reignited.

Headstrong, reckless and with a disregard for everyone else around them, Elyot and Amanda find that the old bond between them cannot be ignored, but will their volatile relationship run smoothly this time?

Reviews:

“... the whole of director Robin Herford’s production is very much fighting fit, with designer Michael Holt providing a couple of opulent settings and some elegant frocks and the cast being right on the money.”
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“Simmons and Morrison are perfectly matched in passion and venom and Larkin and Naylor pitch it just right as the wronged other halves. As a quartet they look right age-wise and they gel brilliantly.”
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“The Coliseum’s excellent first-off-the-blocks production thus sets standards for the Exchange to aspire to.”
- Manchester Evening News

“Taken at a breakneck pace, the play flies along in a hail of splintered shellac. Great fun and highly watchable; the Coliseum starts 2011 as it hopefully means to go on.”
- Oldham Chronicle

“Morrison, petite in stature, gives a big performance as the manipulating and temperamental Amanda”
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“An absolutely delightful play that is full of Noel Coward’s recognisable spirit and which is performed effortlessly.”
- Pennine Life

“I loved every minute and I defy anyone not to be totally carried along by it all. The attention to detail and the well choreographed scrapping, together with the high production values, tight direction and excellent acting brings off a triumph for this wonderful, old, but well loved theatre.”
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“Go,Go,Go to see it, as it is a treat not to be missed.”
- Theatre Reviews

“Acted with panache and class and expertly directed by Robert Herford, this production of Private Lives is a gem and a great way to liven up a dull and dreary January/February evening.”
- What’s On Stage

“Jackie Morrison gives a highly polished performance as Amanda and makes good use of her lovely voice”
- The Stage

 

“All four of the principals are polished professionals with excellent comic timing. Tess Alshibaya gives a clever cameo as the confused French maid.  Robin Herford’s direction is assured and Michael Holt’s design captures the period well.”
- Clitheroe Advertiser

Videos

Production Team

by	Noel Coward
Director	Robin Herford
Designer	Michael Holt
Musical Director	Howard Gray
Fight Director	Renny Krupinski
Lighting Designer	Thomas Weir
Sound Designer	Lorna Munden
On the Book	Emma Cook

Cast Members

James Simmons	Elyot
Maeve Larkin	Sibyl
Jackie Morrison	Amanda
Christopher Naylor	Victor
Tess Alshibaya	Louise

Production Photos

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