Private Lives - Theatre Royal, Bath

http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/private-lives/theatre-royal-glasgow/

www.theatreroayl.org.uk

Written in 1930 by witty, flamboyant playwright Noël Coward, Private Lives follows the story of Elyot, Tom Chambers, and Amanda, Laura Rogers, divorcees on their honeymoons with their new parters in France.  Their love for each soon resurfaces as they embark on a scandalous affair with each other, despite their new partners. 

This promotional image to the left shows the main couple, Elyot and Amanda, wearing formal wear in the style of the period.  Although Amanda is not seen wearing this actual dress in the play Elyot does wear an evening, formal suit much like this one.  

http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/private-lives/theatre-royal-glasgow/

The image above, from the final scene in the play, features all four characters sitting in their new couplings.  Although it is difficult to see in this image, Amanda is wearing a pair of trousers which, despite it becoming more common during the 1920s and 1930s, was still considered uncommon and unladylike.  This adds to her unconventional characteristics and highlights the fact that she does not care what society thinks of her where as Sybil, played by Charlotte  Ritchie on the far right, who is much younger and more conscious of what people will think is seen wearing a longer skirt.

http://stagetalkmagazine.com/?p=11217

This image wonderfully sums up the feel and atmosphere of most of the play, with the gay, carefree feeling that the leading couple act heightening the witty comments of the dialogue.  I feel that this blue pyjama suit worn by Amanda stands out in the subtler, brown shades of the apartment and naturally draws the audiences eye towards her.  The dressing gown worn here by Elyot is synonymous with the decade and also with Noël Coward.