REVIEW - PRIVATE LIVES | OCTAGON THEATRE, BOLTON | 11/09/2025

Private Lives at the Octagon – When Love and Wit Collide, Sparks Fly

Noël Coward’s Private Lives first premiered in 1930 and has remained one of his most celebrated works, known for its razor-sharp wit and exploration of love, passion, and conflict. This brand-new production at the Octagon Theatre Bolton is directed by Tanuja Amarasuriya, winner of the RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award 2023. The scheme champions talented directors by offering the opportunity to bring a major production to the stage before embarking on a UK tour.

Amarasuriya’s vision places style and energy at the forefront, keeping the play lively and colourful while honouring its almost century-old roots.

The play follows Amanda and Elyot, a divorced couple who accidentally find themselves honeymooning with their new spouses in the same hotel. What begins as shock soon reignites into sparks, banter, and passion, as the pair can’t resist rekindling their fiery romance. But passion and chaos go hand in hand, and their relationship quickly descends into bickering, misunderstandings, and tempestuous comedy.

It’s a timeless story about love, attraction, and the fine line between desire and destruction. The humour shines throughout, though at times the more troubling aspects of their relationship are played more for laughs than for drama.

Amy Jane Cook’s design is a visual treat. The pastel tones and stylish detailing of the French hotel in Act I are wonderfully realised, while the chic Paris apartment in Act II feels elegant and atmospheric. Costumes are glamorous and sophisticated, from flowing dresses to tuxedos and silk pyjamas, adding to the period authenticity.

Lighting enhances the mood beautifully, shifting from sun-drenched terraces to more intimate, tense interiors. The choice of cabaret-inspired music to open the show adds intrigue, though it feels only loosely tied to the rest of the production.

The cast deliver strong performances that bring Coward’s script to life. Pepter Lunkuse is especially compelling as Amanda, balancing fiery independence with sharp humour. Her chemistry with Chirag Benedict Lobo’s Elyot feels both passionate and volatile, though at times his performance leans more towards broad comedy than nuance.

Ashley Gerlach gives Victor an amusing yet sympathetic edge, while Sade Malone makes a memorable impact as Sibyl, imbuing her with charm and innocence. Together, the ensemble capture the shifting rhythms of Coward’s dialogue, even when the pace falters slightly.

This revival of Private Lives offers plenty of style, wit, and lively performances, even if it doesn’t always dig as deeply into the darker undercurrents of its story. It’s easy to see why Coward’s comedy of manners has stood the test of time, with its sharp dialogue and timeless look at love’s messy entanglements.

At times the production sparkles, at others it feels just short of fizz, but it remains an entertaining and stylish evening at the theatre.

⭐ Private Lives proves that when love and wit collide, the results are always explosive.

Private Lives will be at The Octagon Theatre until Saturday 25th September 2025, book your tickets now through the link below.

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Photo Credit - Pamela Raith

*Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.