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‘The physical fighting feels like an odd choice’: PRIVATE LIVES – Donmar Warehouse

In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Rev StanLeave a Comment

The first thing I said to my friend during the interval of Private Lives at the Donmar Warehouse was, ‘I don’t remember this being a play about domestic violence’. We’d just witnessed Elyot (Stephen Mangan) and Amanda (Rachael Stirling) having a physical fight which included Elyot grabbing Amanda by the throat and throwing her onto a sofa.

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‘The approach unbalances the play entirely’: PRIVATE LIVES – Donmar Warehouse

In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Maryam PhilpottLeave a Comment

The sun is setting on Michael Longhurst’s time at the Donmar Warehouse and his penultimate production is a timeless classic, Noel Coward’s sparky and charismatic relationship comedy about middle aged love, Private Lives, a fairly safe bet which this century alone has resulted in some great comic pairings from Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan to Toby Stephens and Anna Chancellor. But Coward’s work is tricky to get right and it always looks far easier than it really is.

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‘Feels less spicy & naughty than once it did’: HAY FEVER – Sonning ★★★

In Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Regional theatre, Reviews by Alun HoodLeave a Comment

Seeing Hay Fever at the lovely Mill at Sonning, not far from the Thames-side village Cookham, where Coward’s play is actually set, feels almost like immersive theatre. It also feels a little like stepping back in time to a gentler era. Some people may find it a little staid, but it’s not hard to see why it proves so perennially popular.

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NEWS: UK tour & West End run announced for Blithe Spirit starring Jennifer Saunders

In London theatre, Native, News, Plays, Press Releases, Regional theatre, Sticky, Touring by Press Releases

Noël Coward’s classic comedy Blithe Spirit, directed by Richard Eyre and starring Jennifer Saunders, will return next year for a UK tour followed by a strictly limited six-week engagement at the West End’s Duke of York’s Theatre following a celebrated reception at the Theatre Royal Bath earlier this summer.