Last night a touch of class hit the Regent Theatre as Private Lives graced the stage. On entry to the theatre the stage was set with a huge balcony lit with twinkling Hollywood style bulbs and decorated with beautiful vivid flowers of pinks and reds, there was an obvious split down the middle of the balcony so it was obviously going to be two separate playing spaces. This spectacular set was used for the majority of the first half.
The scene was set the very second the lights began to accompanied by 1920’s swing music we were then introduced to Sibyl Chase played by one of the shining stars of modern Britsish sitcom and Call the Midwife, Charlotte Ritchie who played the role with the true grace and decorum of a turn of the century lady, the character a 23 year old pretty piano player was given the perfect amount of spoiled brat that she's supposed to be and cried several times when she didn't her way. Ritchies’ comic timing is impeccable every comedy line she delivered had the audience members in stitches. She played the newly wed wife of Tom Chambers.
Chambers gave a brilliantly funny performance, he and Ritchie bounced of each other perfectly in all of their comedy scenes. He played Elyot Chase, and he played the character with such a suave and sophisticated manner. His presence on stage was enormous every scene he was in, it was exceptionaly hard not to focus on him as he stole the show at many points with his perfect comedic portrayal of the character, the man is born for stage roles and it's no wonder he's appeared in an Olivier awarding winning performance. He just oozes class in this show. It was also lovely to see him use some of his Strictly winning moves on stage as he excelled and went above and beyond in this show, he's a class act, I implore you not to enjoy and bask in his performance. 
He was joined on stage by Laura Rogers who took on the role of Amanda, whose repertoire is longer than I've seen in years. She played Amanda with the true rebellion of a 1920’s flapper girl she and Chambers were a dream team and the fight scene at the end of the act was a marvel to watch, it had every audience member roaring with laughter and was marvellously staged. She also gave some stunning vocals in this show as well as excelling in her dancing she is a definite triple threat. The chemistry between her and Chambers was electric from the second the laid eyes on each other and they kept this going brilliantly, although there was a few points in the show that I felt lost the energy that the rest of the show had.
Also in the cast is Amanda's second husband Victor Prynne, played by Richard Teverson ever the British gentleman. He embodied the upper class gentleman perfectly and was funny beyond belief. The scene between himself and Ritchie at the end of the show was the most high energy and funniest of the show, the two just bounced of each other perfectly considering they were the supporting characters. At many points along with Chambers were they were guilty of stealing the show.
A mention needs to be given to Victoria Rigby who played the French maid Louise, if there was an award for the best comedy fall it would be given to Rigby for a character who was on stage for five minutes she made a huge impact. I would love to see her play either of the two lead females as just from that fall her comedy timing seems to be second nature.
Overall the show was a marvel although the pace dropped at points which was a shame, the first half was almost an hour longer than the second which I feel could have been more equally split. But other than that it was a perfectly hilarious show and a taste of proper British Humour.
Private Lives runs until Saturday 30th January 2016.
Tickets are now on sale from The Regent Theatre Box Office, by calling 0844 871 7649 or by visiting www.atgtickets.com/stoke
Reviewer: Leanne Ashworth
Reviewed: 25th January 2016
