Evaluation on "Private Lives" by Noel Coward, refering to the elements of drama.

Essay by bigalixxxHigh School, 11th gradeA-, March 2004

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Private lives

By Noel Coward

Performed by Nothcott Theatre Company

Private lives is a play that is set in France, 1930's which explores the absurdities of human emotions. The story is based around two recently married couples who are on the there honeymoon. I will reflect on my understanding of how the elements of drama are used in the play, and deliver my interpretation.

The first scene is set on a balcony at a French hotel that is overlooking a harbour. The colour of the hotel has been made to reflect the time of day, which is evening. The colours were blue and purple which gave and effective, evening atmosphere. The lighting has been directed to highlight the balcony that the actors work on, and I noticed that there was a slightly rippling light that was imitating light that was being reflected off the water. There was a big sign at the top of the wall which had the French name of the hotel.

I think this gave the audience a visual perception of the location other wise the may have not understood. On the balcony there were two sections that were divided by a few large pot plants on each side was a table, a couple of chairs and its own private entrance to their room. I thought that the split stage was an interesting way of displaying the similar situation that the two couples were in, and it also showed a link between the two couples.

The story begins when the first newly wed arrive on the shared balcony at the French hotel. Eliot, who has a suave, lofty charm, enters the stage with Sibyl Chase, who has a perfect kittenish nature who constantly wants reassurance that she outshines her husband's first wife, Amanda. Coincidently, that very woman...