Sex and the City star Kim Cattrall heads the cast of Noel Coward’s sparkling comedy Private Lives, which opened this week at the Vaudeville Theatre.

Kim Cattrall plays the glamorous but reckless ‘Amanda’ who is on honeymoon in France with her new spouse ‘Victor’. Matthew Macfadyen, known for his role in BBC series Spooks, appears as Amanda’s ex-husband ‘Elyot’, who is also on honeymoon with his new wife. A chance meeting across a hotel balcony sees old feelings rekindled and passions set loose.

Kim at home in the West End

Noel Coward’s Controversial Play

Private Lives has been revived numerous times since first opening in 1930. The Lord Chamberlain (the government censor at the time) initially objected to the play as ‘immoral’ and demanded the removal of risqué scenes.

The play definitely feels ahead of its time, with coincidence, adultery and wicked humour providing the ingredients for a classic comedy. 

Private Lives also star Lisa Dillon (Sybil) and Simon Paisley Day (Victor). The production is directed by Richard Eyre.