Review: Brutal Sophistication with Theatreworks' PRIVATE LIVES

From Beatrice and Benedick to Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy to Han and Leia, audiences have always relished couples who start off trading insults and end up trading kisses. There is a certain satisfaction to being ahead of the game, perhaps: we know the couple is clearly intended for each other, even if they're not ready to admit it yet. Noel Coward's charming farce Private Lives, now in production at Theatreworks, suggests a second motivation: the act of arguing itself requires a perverse form of chemistry.

Certainly Elyot (Mark Light-Orr) and Amanda (Elyse Knight) don't have that kind of chemistry with their second spouses. Elyot's first cutting remark sends dainty Sybil (Megan Gainey) into hysterics, and Amanda's behavior causes stodgy, proper Victor (Noah Wagner) to bluster with shock. It's this, even more than their reserved manner and the spouses' pointed inquiries into their predecessors, that makes it obvious that these conventional marriages cannot satisfy the very unconventional ex-lovers. Their first meeting-the result of an extraordinary fluke involving adjacent honeymoon suites-confirms this, as Elyot and Amanda first reunite and then run off in the throes of a smoldering, undeniable passion. But passion is a double-edged sword, and soon the two are at each other's throats. Yet even their most violent moments are tinged with a relish and a give-and-take that makes them an oddly suitable match. At times their quarreling borders on sadomasochism; they even have a "safe word" for when things get too heated.

Luke Yankee skillfully balances the sophistication and brutality that mark Amanda and Elyot's relationship. Sophistication is remarkably represented by Scott Aronow's Art Deco set and Stephanie Bradley's sparkling costumes; the brutality part is given an additional boost by Benaiah Anderson's skillful fight choreography. In the Coward role, Light-Orr displays the right notes of urbane wit, excellent chemistry with Knight, and sings "Some Day I'll Find You" beautifully. (The piano, alas, is rather obviously dubbed.) Ganey has some brilliant moments as Elyot's second wife Sybil, who spends an increasing amount of time devolving into tears yet reveals an unexpected edge in the play's closing act.

Even as the play concludes with Elyot and Amanda reconciling again, we suspect it won't last; the two are caught in a vicious circle where they can't decide whether they want to kiss or kill each other. And yet, you get the feeling they wouldn't have it any other way-and strangely enough, neither would we.

PRIVATE LIVES plays at Theatreworks now through September 27th, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 with matinees Saturdays at 2pm and Sundays at 4pm. For tickets, contact the box office at 719-255-3232 or visit theatreworkscs.org.