Westacre Theatre presents marvellous production of Noel Coward's Private Lives with pre-show meal and complimentary cocktails

A marvellous evening was had by all at Westacre Theatre with a pre-show meal before watching Noel Coward's Private Lives.

It was all tremendously good value for a night out at the theatre with a delicious two-course meal prepared by Moyra Atkinson and drinks plus complimentary cocktails in the interval.

A version of Private Lives will be showing at the Donmar Warehouse theatre in London in April, and this production with the Westacre Theatre company Sadie and Matt Grist, Tamsin Wheeler and Kieran Gough would definitely give it a run for its money.

With killer Coward lines and professional and polished performances from the cast, they had the audience gripped from the start.

Some wonderful fight scenes drew gasps and the comic timing and humour continued throughout the play.

There were three acts, starting on the hotel balcony where two separate couples are on honeymoon.

However, two of the characters have been married before and so ensues a comedy of manners.

Sadie Grist oozed charisma as Amanda and the somewhat hapless current husband Victor was played well by Kieran Gough.

Tamsin Wheeler gave some marvellously over-the-top scenes when callously dumped by Elyot, played expertly by Matt Grist, who runs off with Amanda, his ex-wife.

Irma Fowler practically stole a scene, muttering in French as Louise the maid, wearing overalls and blue woollen socks, much to the audience's amusement.

Audience members were treated to complimentary cocktails in the second short interval which added a lovely touch to the evening.

Tickets and a pre-show meal can be booked by visiting the website at www.westacretheatre.com and Private Lives continues on Saturday, March 18 for a matinee and evening performance.

Review by Jenny Beake