Noel Coward continues to light up London theatre

NOEL COWARD’S ROMANTIC comedy, Design For Living returns to the London stage for the first time in over 15 years at the Old Vic.


 

The stars of Design for Living


Directed by Anthony Page and starring Tom Burke, Lisa Dillon and Andrew Scott, Design for Living is playing at The Old Vic theatre, where Kevin Spacey is Artistic Director, until 27 November.

Originally written in 1932 to star Lynn Fontanne, Alfred Lunt and Coward himself, the play is a witty observation on the nature of relationships. From 1930s Bohemian Paris to the dizzying heights of Manhattan society, Gilda (Lisa Dillon), a vivacious interior designer, leads playwright Leo (Andrew Scott) and artist Otto (Tom Burke) on a merry dance of love, lust and betrayal.

Tom Burke has recently starred in Alan Rickman’s production of Creditors on Broadway and in London; Lisa Dillon played Mary in BBC’s Cranford and Andrew Scott played Moriarty in the BBC’s stunning new version of Sherlock.

Noël Coward’s plays continue to draw the crowds around the world: Hay Fever opens at the Rose Theatre in Kingston for a month from 23 September starring Celia Imrie (replaced by Nichola McAuliffe from 11 October) and Adrian Lukis, and Blithe Spirit opens at the Apollo Theatre in the West End in March, starring Alison Steadman.

The Old Vic, The Cut, London; box office: 0844 871 7628; www.oldvictheatre.com.