I was thrilled to play the role of

Elyot Chase

in Noel Coward's masterpiece

"Private Lives"

alongside the wonderful actress Andrea Cutler in the role of Amanda, and the fabulous actors Danny DeLyons, Alan Ponting and formerly Terri Spencer of our new theatre company…

Scaramouche Theatre

Performing this play was a complete joy and it awoke me to the genius of Noel Coward. His writing is sublime, not a single line is thrown in, every sentence had a reason for being there and flowed beautifully into the next, producing engaging dialogue, filled with exquisite wit.

Our production was a labour of love. Having built most of the scenery myself and designing the promotional literature, coupled with rehearsing twice a week with Andrea for many months, plus once a week with the full cast and the costumes hand made by our Director Anne Ponting, whilst all of us juggling our daily lives and other personal responsibilities, it was a huge thrill to receive fabulous critical acclaim and huge praise from our audiences for our production.

Press review by Peter Whitaker from 'Scene One':

"The set and props used throughout the show, from the Hotel terrace to Amanda’s Paris flat, were perfect and of the era. Everything looked like it was meant to be there and were used by the actors.

Elyot is played magnificently by Paul Stillwell. Elyot’s first wife, Amanda, is played brilliantly by Andrea Cutler.

The chemistry between the two is played so well and the transitions between the scenes played when they are expressing their love for each other, to the scenes where they are literally at each other’s throats, are seamless and executed with skill.

I could go on forever highlighting the standard of acting in this production, but I would simply urge you to watch this show.

A show of this magnitude and stature requires excellent actors with the ability to learn a massive amount of dialogue and have comic timing … and this one does.

The sharpness and speed of the dialogue is key to delivering the story in the manner it was written and how Noël Coward wanted it played.

This play does all of that.

I cannot fault this production. From the acting to the staging, it is all excellent."

Pete Whitaker, Scene One Plus. 29.3.2019

Click here for the original review www.SceneOnePlus.com

Audience Feedback:

More info on Noel Coward www.NoelCoward.com

A synopsis of ‘Private Lives’:

Set in Deauville, France,1930.

Divorced couple, Amanda and Elyot, recently married with new partners, both now on honeymoon with their new spouses, discover they are staying in adjacent rooms at the same hotel...

​Despite a perpetually stormy relationship, they realise that they still have feelings for each other.

Of all Noël Coward's plays, this remains the most pristine, elegant example of his art.

Premiered 18th August 1930, starring Noel Coward, Gertrude Lawrence, Laurence Olivier, Adrianne Allen.