Chichester Festival Theatre Opens PRIVATE LIVES Tonight, Sept 21

The final production in Chichester's Festival 2012 features acclaimed actors Anna Chancellor and Toby Stephens in the play widely considered to be Noël Coward's masterpiece.

Private Lives fizzes with Coward's trademark wit and dramatic precision. Amanda and Elyot meet five years after their marriage break-up - while on honeymoon with their new spouses. Passion reignited, they hurl themselves headlong into a relationship once more, without stopping to consider the consequences.

Private Lives is at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester from tonight, 21 September – 27 October. Evenings 7.45pm (except for Press Night on Friday 28 September at 7.00pm), Matinees 2.30pm. Tickets: Previews/Press Night £23.50, Evenings/Matinees £29.50. To book, go to www.cft.org.uk  or call the Box Office on 01243 781312.

In Noël Coward's Private Lives, Philip Hoare, author of the highly regarded Noël Coward: A Biography, explores the complexity beneath the playwright's sparkling text. Tuesday 16 October in the Minerva Theatre at 6.00pm. Tickets are free, but must be reserved in advance through the Box Office on 01243 781312.

After Words – the chance to join some of The cast and creative team after the performance of Private Lives on Wednesday 10 October to ask questions and learn more about the production.