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Private Lives at the Waterside Theatre Aylesbury Review

PrivateLivesPrivate Lives
Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury

7-12 March 2016

www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury

Reviewed by Laura Mentiply

I have never heard of this play before so was not sure on what to expect from the show and cast when I first arrived. I learnt that the play was written by Noel Coward in 1930 and was one of his most famous plays which lasted a long time over a period. Coward in fact played the main male character when it first opened. The play has been revived several times since and currently on tour around the UK.

This comedy play is set in the 1930’s and begins with one set of newlyweds on their hotel balcony on the first night of their honeymoon. The man, Elyot 11 years older than his young wife Sibyl who seems besotted with him, but at the same time keeps asking questions about the ex-wife Amanda and comparing her to herself, hinting at the pervious relationship was very heated. As they pop back inside their room, in the next balcony another man comes out, Victor asking his newly wife Mandy to come and see the view, who is in fact is Elyot’s divorced partner. The conversations between the two sets of newlyweds follow a similar pattern of likeness which the similarities make the audience laugh as each conversation was the same. Elyot and Amanda eventually bump into each other, both on the balconies while their new partners are in their room. They start to bicker at each other, but eventually relight the flame that still burns inside them. The rest of the play continues over 3 acts, as Elyot and Amanda continue to get caught up in their whirlwind romance in her Parisian flat, which often get heated with them arguing and the end of act two with a fight, where a record ends up being smashed on his head, which gets a laugh from the audience but is then turned into a gasp when Amanda gets wacked around the head just as the other their new partners appear at the door. Act 3 then picks up on the next day where the recently relighted romance has turned sour and Sibyl and Victor try and sort out the future with their spouses with  questions, with them coming to a clash with each other in an intense fighting talk and Elyot and Amanda sneaking off in love… again.

The cast was brilliant and suited the characters very well. Recognising Tom Chambers, winner of past Strictly Come Dancing, acting in Holby City/Casualty and being a frequent panel member on the Wright Stuff on channel 5, I was not reminded of these in the performance and believed him as he acted as Elyot. They all did well at projecting their voice without microphones off the stage and Laura Rogers who plays Amanda, voice was lovely when she sang.

Watching this comedy reminded me off an old black and white movie that you come across when flicking through telly that you then end up watching as you get caught up in it. Even though the play is 80 years old, the story line is as much current as it was back then with troubled relationships of love which happens behind closed doors in their private lives. However if this was to happen in this age, it might not be private as it is something that might be covered on Jeremy Kyle show!

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre is a modern building and has been showing various shows for nearly 6 years. It is very roomy inside the wooden decor in the auditorium which was designed to reflect the surrounding Chilterns. The chairs are a bit squeaky which I noticed throughout the stage performance. Staff were friendly and there is a wide range of available drinks and snacks at the bar, including its own ale brewed at local Chiltern brewery. In the interval I was able to look around the new Ambassadors Room, where you can pre-order a drinks package and enjoy relaxing in a cosy lit room before and in the interval. There are plenty of carparks surrounding the theatre which cost £2.50 for the night.

I would recommend this funny play to others as the story line is timeless and the acting was super, I give Private Lives 4 out of 5 stars.

Rating: 4/5

Tickets cost from £16.90 to £40.40 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).

Private Lives is at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury under 12 March 2016. For more information or to book  tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 7607.

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 1UG

4 Star

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