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    a fizzing revival
    The Telegraph
    Havers and Hodge on consummate form
    The Evening Standard

Private Lives Tickets

Ambassadors Theatre

Nigel Havers & Patricia Hodge star in Noel Coward’s comedy of manners, back in London for the 50th anniversary of the playwright's death.

Private Lives Tickets On Sale Now

Nigel Havers and Patricia Hodge star in a fantastic revival of Noel Coward’s classic comedy of manners Private Lives, promising witty repartee, bickering and affection. The story of ex-spouses who are unexpectedly thrown back together while on holiday is an enduring delight for theatregoers. It lights up the Ambassadors Theatre for a limited season this year to mark the 50th anniversary of Coward’s death in 1973.

What is Private Lives about?

One of Noel Coward’s most famous plays, this is the story of ex-spouses Elyot and Amanda. Since parting, they have both moved on to new relationships and even remarried. Now, they’re on their honeymoons… and they’ve ended up right next to each other in the hotel! As their passion reignites, the pair elope to Amanda’s flat in Paris and seem determined to give it another shot, but soon their vicious bickering and nitpicking rears its head and they’re reminded exactly why they split up the first time around!

Private Lives is a timeless narrative that parses sex, marriage and monogamy, and 90 years after it first premiered, it remains a shining example of the comedy of manners genre. This new production transfers from Theatre Royal Bath, where it was praised by critics as a “gloriously entertaining” night out (Wiltshire Times).

The West End Cast of Private Lives

Playing the on-again-off-again couple are Nigel Havers (Downton Abbey; Coronation Street) and Olivier Award-winner Patricia Hodge (Miranda; Calendar Girls), who starred in Private Lives during its initial run in Bath in 2021 and on tour. Critics raved about their performances at the time, calling them “pitch-perfect” (The Telegraph) as they bicker and flirt their way through the story.

Further casting includes Dugald Bruce-Lockhart and Natalie Walter.

The show is produced by The Nigel Havers Theatre Company, which plans to produce more classics from the UK’s rich theatrical canon, and is directed by Christopher Luscombe. Luscombe has extensive experience in bringing classic comedies to the stage with impressive clarity for new audiences, thanks to his work at the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Don't Miss Private Lives Tickets at Ambassadors Theatre

Always sharp but never cruel, Noel Coward’s Private Lives is one of the most enjoyable dissections of relationships performed on stage. With a top-notch cast bringing it back to London, this is the perfect time to see why it remains a firm favourite for theatregoers all over the world.

Sorry this show closed 25 November 2023, we recommend these similar productions.

Guys and Dolls
The Mousetrap
Player Kings
Performance dates:
24 Nov 2023 - 25 Nov 2023
Running time:
2 hours including an interval.
Age recommendation:
Best for age 8+
Categories:

Latest Audience Reviews

Written by Noël Coward in 1930, and commemorating 50 years since his death, this is a comedy in t... More

Loved the sets and the staging. Patricia Hodge and Nigel Havers gave stellar performances in this... More

Does exactly what says on can , thought they a little old for parts but proved wrong they looked... More

Knew nothing about the show but will give anything a go and this has two brilliant actors headlin... More

Excellent show, Nigel Havers & Patricia Hodge are just perfect for their roles. Quick witted resp... More

I throughly enjoyed this play. I didn’t know the story beforehand but within minutes it had me la... More

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