‘Private Lives’ – Belvoir

PRIVATE LIVES – BY NOËL COWARD
DIRECTED BY RALPH MEYERS
BELVOIR – UPSTAIRS THEATRE
22 SEPTEMBER – 11 NOVEMBER 2012

Sybil: Coming off the back of an operation, I found myself on some fairly serious painkillers sitting in the front row with a corker of a black eye… and although laughing REALLY hurt, the pain didn’t eclipse the joy of watching a group of actors at the top of their game, in a classic production of a witty and perfectly crafted play.

We’d recently seen a play written by Toby Schmitz and this production proved that he is a true all-round theatre practitioner. Impressive comedy chops, powerful and engaging characterisation. The other cast members were by turn brittle, volcanic, jaded and effusive. A wonderful examination of the complexity of relationships that truly transcended the era in which it was set. Wonderful.

Lea: How do I follow Sybil on this? Beautifully put my dear. For a Noël Coward play we should know so well, I still discovered it. I fought against the pull and push of the tawdry love affairs, yet bathed in them. That my friend, is walking the line perfectly within the characters’ dark and light sides. I raise my glass to Toby Schmitz and Zahra Newman. I half wanted to join them on that mattress on stage – pass me a glass of whiskey! Solid, dialogue driven drama. I’ll drink to that!

IN SUMMARY

One of the few times that Sybil scores a show higher than Lea.

PRE-SHOW DRINKS AND NIBBLES: Belvoir foyer – it’s a nice combo.
POST-SHOW DRINKS: Belvoir foyer
HANGOVER STATUS: Still thinking about Toby. Theatre crush much?