Design for Living

From: "will stackman" profwlll@yahoo.com

Subject: Quicktake - "Design for Living" by Noel Coward

Date:Mon, Jan. 8, 12:14 AM

Quicktake on DESIGN FOR LIVING

     Publick Theatre's indoor debut at the BCA Plaza, Noel Coward's 1932 "Design for Living," is a stylish affair. Having previously tackled "Private Lives", director Spiro Veloudos, leaving Stephen Terrell to helm LaChiusa's"See What I Wanna See" over at the Lyric, has taken on shepherding Susanne Nitter and Diego Arciniegas, the Directors of the Publick, along with Gabriel Kuttner, last summer's Wil Shakspur, through the comic emotional minefield of this Coward classic. The complicated menage a trois of Gilda, Leo and Otto is complimented by Nigel Gore as Gilda's art dealer friend then husband Ernest, an essential part of this frothy mix. Beth Gotha as Hodges her housekeeper, Richard Arum, Janelle Mills, Jocelyn Parrrish, a trio of her New York friends, and Paul Melendy complete their world of art and hedonism. The three leads, in parts originally written for the Lunts and the author, slip into their high-class Bohemian roles as if born to play Coward. Nitter is especially impressive in one of Lynn Fontaine's signature roles.

    Costumer Rafael Jaen from Emerson, assisted by Stephanie Cluggish, gives the cast truly elegant tailoring which Harvard's J.Michael Griggs sets off perfectly on a Matisee-inspired set. Upgrades in the furniture mark each act, from a Paris studio, to a comfortable London flat, to an elegant New York penthouse. Both artists use effective palettes, bolstered by Scott Clyve's careful lighting. The BCA's oldest theatre has seldom looked better. And Sir Noel hasn't been better served.

---

“Design for Living” by Noel Coward, Jan 4 - Jan. 27
Publick Theatre. in Plaza Theatre, BCA

539 Tremont, (617) 933 - 8600
Publick Theatre