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New Broadway Revival of Noël Coward’s ‘Private Lives’ Set for 2026-2027 Season
A fresh rendition of Noël Coward’s celebrated play, Private Lives, is slated to grace Broadway during the 2026-2027 season. This upcoming production is backed by a collaborative effort involving producers Jeffrey Richards, Playful Productions (comprising Matthew Byam Shaw, Nia Janis, Nick Salmon), Rebecca Gold, and M/B/P Productions. Details regarding the directing team, cast, performance dates, and the hosting theatre are expected to be disclosed in the near future.
Alan Brodie, chairman of the Noël Coward Foundation, expressed his excitement: “We are thrilled that this sparkling new production of this iconic comedy will be coming back to Broadway in 2026/27. The Coward Estate will work closely with the producers and creative team and open their extensive archive to them as well as providing support from its social and marketing team. All the royalties received by the Coward Estate on this production will go to the charitable Foundation set up by Coward’s partner Graham Payn and will be used to support educational and development projects across the performing arts.”
The original performance of Private Lives debuted on August 18, 1930, at the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh, before making its Broadway entrance at the Times Square Theatre on January 27, 1931. The narrative recounts the unexpected encounter between Elyot and Amanda, former spouses who find themselves on honeymoons with new partners at the same hotel. Their ensuing interactions spark a witty and captivating exchange, solidifying Private Lives as what many deem Coward’s finest comedic work.
Throughout its history, Private Lives has seen eight various productions on Broadway. The play has attracted a roster of prominent talent, including Coward himself, Gertrude Lawrence, Laurence Olivier, Tallulah Bankhead, and Tammy Grimes—who won a Tony Award for her role in 1970. Other noteworthy performers include Brian Bedford, Maggie Smith (who received a Tony Award nomination in 1975), Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Collins, and Kim Cattrall. A notable revival emerged in 2002, which garnered a Tony Award and showcased the talents of Lindsay Duncan and Alan Rickman, directed by Howard Davies.
Source
www.broadwayworld.com