Noel Coward's play Private Lives was absolutely wonderful. Alan Rickman was phenomenal at playing the role of Elyot, a flippant Englishman who does not like to be told what to say. Lindsay Duncan did a very good job at playing the role of Amanda, Elyot's ex-wife. Adam Godley (also known as "big ears" by fellow cast members) did a great job at playing the role of Victor, Amanda's new husband. Emma Fielding's portrayal of Sibyl was a bit over-the-top, but that is probably the work of the director rather than her acting. Alex Belcourt was sensational in her short role as Louise, the French-speaking maid.
             Alan Rickman was brilliant at portraying Elyot. Elyot's character is flippant and will not be pushed around. One highlight was when Elyot said to Sibyl, "I should like to cut off your head with a meat axe." This was after Elyot encountered Amanda on the balcony and asked Sibyl to take off to Paris with him, to which she declined. Rickman is hilarious throughout the play. Victor says "Funny how the South of France has become so fashionable in the summer, isn't it?" while he, Amanda, and Sibyl are sitting on the couch together. Elyot, who is sitting by himself on one of his suitcases, responds by saying, "I've been laughing about it for months." When Elyot is alone with Victor at Amanda's loft, he explains his reasoning about not wanting to fight by saying, "I should like to explain to you that if you hit me, I shall certainly hit you, probably equally hard, if not harder.... Then you'd hit me again, and I'd hit you again, and we'd go until one or the other was knocked out. Now, if you'll explain to me satisfactorily how all that can possibly improve the situation, I'll tear off my coat, and we'll go at one another hammer and tongs, immediately."
             Lindsay Duncan did a very good job at playing the r
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