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Private Lives
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Title: Private Lives
Author(s): Noel Coward
Licensing Agent: Samuel French, Inc
Genre: Comedy
Length: Full
Male Roles: 2
Female Roles: 3
Extras: 0

Description: Revived in 2002 by the Royal National Theatre in a production that sparkled on Broadway, rivate Lives is one of the most flippant plays ever written. Elyot and Amanda, once married and now honeymooning with new spouses at the same hotel, meet by chance, reignite the old spark and impulsively elope. After days of being reunited, they again find their fiery romance alternating between passions of love and anger. Their aggrieved spouses appear and a roundelay of affiliations ensues as the women first stick together, then apart, and new partnerships are formed. Eventually there is a knock down drag out fight which opens the eyes of Elyot and Amanda, who then steal off together a second time. A unique play with four successful Broadway runs boasting as stars the author, Laurence Olivier, Tallulah Bankhead, Gertrude Lawrence, Tammy Grimes, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.

Character Gender Role Size Min Age Max Age Description
Elyot Chase M 30 40 He is a witty man. He had a dry and sarcastic sense of humor. He also has an ego about him, although it's clear he uses it as a defense mechanism. The only person he seems to show any genuine emotion with is Amanda.
Amanda Prynne F 30 40 Strong, intelligent and well spoken woman. She has a sense of sarcasm and humor about her. She has a tough exterior but that's only to protect a vulnerable inner self that Elyot can crack easily.
Victor Prynne M 30 40 Amanda's new husband. He is compassionate, sophisticated, honest and extremely boring. He means well but makes it very clear why Amanda would leave him.
Sibyl Chase F 20 30 Elyot's new wife. Young and naive to the world. It's obvious that she got married because it was the socially acceptable thing to do and has no idea what the meaning of responsibility is. She's also very dramatic and emotional.
Louise F 20 40 She is Amanda's maid in Paris. She has some interesting commentary in Acts II & III...in French of course.

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