They are timeless in their desires

A vibrant, stylish, and witty new production of Noël Coward's Private Lives comes to Bristol Old Vic starring Chirag Benedict Lobo and Pepter Lunkuse, writes NATALIE BANYARD

- NATALIE BANYARD

LOVE and chaos collide in a new production of Noël Coward's timeless comedy that shows us that very few people are completely normal really, deep down in their Private Lives.

Passionate, bitingly funny, shocking and tender, director Tanuja Amarasuriya's adaptation of Private Lives tours to Bristol Old Vic from October 28 to November 1, starring Chirag Benedict Lobo and Pepter Lunkuse.

Elyot and Amanda are charming, rich, utterly reckless and divorced. When they meet unexpectedly on the first night of their honeymoons with new partners, in the balmy moonlight of the French Riviera, old flames reignite, and impulsive love takes hold.

But they divorced for a reason, and their fiery romance soon spirals into a chaotic riot of passionate desire, slanging matches and outrageous battles.

Set against a backdrop of 1930s glamour, Private Lives is a visually stunning, sparkling comedy of manners filled with razor-sharp wit, sizzling chemistry, and timeless sophistication.

Chirag Benedict Lobo, a London-based actor, writer and theatre maker from India, plays the charismatic and caddish Elyot. He tells me: "Private Lives tells the story about two former lovers who happen to bump into each other at the same hotel while honeymooning with their new spouses and decide to give love one more chance.

"I think everyone will have their own interpretation of Elyot but, for me, I feel it is because of his lack of purpose in the world and the fear of being left alone which results in him being the caddish, selfish, manipulative, immature and charming person that we meet in the play."

Stage and screen actress Pepter Lunkuse, who stars alongside Chirag as his fun-loving and forthright ex-wife Amanda, explains: "I think Private Lives is a play that explores the many sides of desire. How extreme they can be and what one is willing to do to hide or give into them.