‘Private Lives’ hectic but hilarious

Take a serendipitous encounter and add a barrage of situational comedy, the most sophisticated of accents, melodramatic outbursts of love, witty one-liners and your most nightmarish image of marriage. “Private Lives” hits you with all of this. Directed by Savannah Hankinson ’13, this rollercoaster of a play is running at Theatre Intime this weekend. The British play depicts two newlywed couples in Paris and quickly devolves into a classic honeymoon gone wrong. While the theme might be familiar, “Private Lives” provides plenty of surprise in the way the couples’ lives intertwine.

The characters are cleverly introduced in the opening scene, which depicts the two couples’ parallel interactions against the backdrop of a symmetrical set designed by Michaela Karis ’14. Well-placed plants and quaint chairs and tables bring out the set’s simplicity and elegance, but Karis’ choice of having a railing at the front of the stage is a frustrating one. While the actors try to make the best use of it, the viewer sometimes has to adjust his her her sight line to see their expressions because their faces are blocked. Lighting designer Laura Hildebrand ’14 could’ve done more to emphasize changes in tone and the romantic scenes under moonlight. The change from the outdoor set to an indoor living room in the second act is effective, as the stage transforms into a cozy but sophisticated apartment perfect for the impending chaos that’s about to strike.

While the first act is fast-paced and ridiculous, the second act drags and before long the audience begins to feel as fed up as the characters. Elyot, played by campus theater veteran Evan Thompson ’14, and Amanda, played by Maeli Goren ’15, quarrel and bicker over their futures. While Thompson’s over-the-top humor fared exceedingly well while playing a flamboyant character in “Illyria,” it feels too forced and exaggerated during this performance. His overly animated expressions for the character of Elyot work occasionally but also make you wish he wasn’t “acting” quite so much.

As the second act picks up and the characters’ lives spiral out of control, the audience is mortified but thoroughly entertained by a great depiction of how love can bring out the worst in us. Goren in particular is fun to watch, as she refuses to be anything less than completely sassy. Her character’s strong liberal opinions would delight any feminist.

The play has an absolutely brilliant finish with a witty exchange of insults between Sybil, played by Bits Sola ’15, and Victor, played by Tadesh Inagaki ’14, that has the audience laughing uncontrollably. Inagaki begins by being the definition of understated, delivering his hilarious insights with impeccable composure and rationality. The audience loves him even more when Sola makes him lose his cool. Sola is the perfect foil, nailing all the melodrama she’s given to work with, and wins the audience over with her teary outbursts and frequent declarations wishing she were dead. Her character is infuriatingly human in the best way possible — one can’t help but be reminded of a mother or aunt’s histrionic tendencies. It is a pleasure watching someone who could have been an unbearable character come to life with apt comic timing and great directing.

“Private Lives” gives you an entertaining glimpse into the lives of crazy and diverse characters. Head over to Intime for great moments of hilarity and frustration, fused together in a play that isn’t afraid to depict the insanity that takes over even the best of us when we’re in love.

3 out of 5 paws

Pros: Some energetic and comical performances.