By Arguments have never been performed more romantically than in Noel Coward’s “Private Lives,” now being performed at the International City Theatre.
Directed by Luke Yankee, “Private Lives” is a refreshing comedy that spins the idea of rekindled love. Formerly married couple Amanda Prynne (Caroline Kingsolving) and Elyot Chase (Freddy Douglas) accidentally meet again on their second honeymoons, years after their divorce.
Desire sparks their old flame, but so does the reminder of why they couldn’t stand each other in the first place.
With an audience capacity just shy of 160 seats, the cozy city theater sets the intimate scenery. The stage shape shifts twice from a terrace of a hotel in France to a flat in Paris. The minimal furniture used on stage seems to widen the atmosphere in its intense moments of heated arguments between the ex couple or with their new spouses, Victor Prynne (Adam Smith) and Sibyl Chase (Jennice Butler). On the other hand, during passionate and desirable moments between Amanda and Elyot, the lighting in this production wonderfully concentrates on spotlighting their whole-hearted dialogue.
The audience can feel as if one is eavesdropping on the conversation due to the subtle visual changes. But the tone of the actors builds another tension between the performance and the audience listening in.
The actors displayed a nearly-flawless performance. Kingsolving’s extended syllables and subtle sarcasm had the audience roaring with laughter and a few snorting. Douglas reflected the same amount of hilarity with his dark, masculine humor and his unenthusiastic way of saying he was “glad” to be where he was.
The aggravated spouse’s equality amuses the audience. Smith presents himself as a classic man of sophistication from the penguin suit to the very horizontal mustache as he presumes himself above any sort of humor. And the high-pitched voice of Butler offers herself as a dainty woman with the looks of Marilyn Monroe from the blonde bob haircut to the shrieking cry every time she comes to an impasse.
Every moment of the storyline is just as unpredictable as the next. Love tries to triumph the bad moments with the good times. But with each passing moment, an argument can easily ensue leaving the audience to wonder if it’s make-up or break-up that might follow.
Overall, the play can be best described as a mismatched love story with witty humor underlying the emotional strife, and the bittersweet truth acted on spontaneity. This play is definitely one to experience for comedic appreciation, and a reminder of what love can be made of.
When: Sept. 1-18
Where: International City Theatre
300 E. Ocean Blvd.
Tickets: $29-55
More info: ictlongbeach.org
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