Southampton - It is hard to believe that Noel Coward never found his way to the Hamptons before his passing in 1973. Thankfully, his play "Private Lives" was brought to life last week by the Center Stage acting company at the Southampton Cultural Center.

Coward was as witty and urbane as any playwright that ever wrote for the English speaking stage, a gift that was a natural extension of his own style and panache." Prolific beyond comprehension, besides hundreds of songs, Coward penned dozens upon dozens of plays and musicals which remain as fresh, irreverent and timely as both social commentary and theatrical entertainments today as they did in their premieres.

Director and both Set and Costume Designer Michael Disher has presented us with a production that Coward himself would have toasted with a dry gin martini. Done to period of the 1930s, the set is simply perfect with the elegant ambience of that mannered bygone era. There must be some rather precious pieces missing from an East End antique shop somewhere. As costume designer, Disher has paid the same close attention to period detail.

There are two more performances scheduled. Image courtesy of SHCC

Some might find the acting and staging a bit stiff, but in truth it reflects the style of the British upper crust that Coward frequently, if not practically always, used as character subjects in his plays and musicals. Their motion stiff, their emotion guarded and their delivery dry and wry.

I cannot say that the performance prowess of the Center Stage cast matched the original cast of the 1930 West End production, which included Coward himself, Gertrude Lawrence, Adrianne Allen and Laurence Olivier. Frankly, how could it? However, to their credit the actors checked their American emotional exuberance at the stage door and did a fine job presenting British disdain, stiff upper lip resolve and understated reserve when the dialog called for it. Not perfect throughout, but even their British accents were up to snuff, really quite good.

That is not to say that this play does not have its moments of emotional upswings and tension, as at times two of the characters are literally rolling around the stage in sexually charged ex-spousal combat. Beyond all that, this play is very, very funny. Logan Kingston as Amanda and Laura Ahrens as Sibyl particularly shine in this department, both in range and timing. Mark Anderson as Elyot and Michael Contino as Victor perform admirably in their roles as stiff Brits and the ladies' straight men.

I will not give a lot of the plot away, but these pair of couples unintentionally shares a hotel balcony on the first night of their respective honeymoons. Unfortunately for them, but fortunately for us, five years earlier Amanda and Elyot had divorced after a volatile three year marriage. Yes, Coward coincidence at its best and a theatrical coincidence that could only be pulled off by a playwright like Coward himself. The play ends with both couples and a French maid, played beautifully by Agnieszka Patak, in Amanda's Paris flat. That is all you get from me!

There are four performances left (January 14 through January 17) and I suggest you give a call to the Southampton Cultural Center at 631-287-4377 or reserve online at www.southamptonculturalcenter.org. "Private Lives" is a classic British comedy of manners as created by the master of the milieu, Noel Coward, and brought brilliantly to the boards by Center Stage.