Coward personified the elegant insouciance of a playwright, actor, and well-travelled playboy for many decades. Born in 1899 he developed a star personality from the early '20s. His huge output is celebrated in many ways this centenary year. Private Lives , dating from the late '20s, is revived at the National Theatre.
Costumes are smart, sets opulent.
The second male lead was played by Laurence Olivier. If it is still on in the West End, see Hay Fever , Coward's 1925 comedy about bad manners. Coward found inspiration at a house party in Manhattan. As actress Mum, Geraldine McEwan is spectacularly funny. The play is ingeniously staged by Declan Donnelan and wittily designed by Nick Ormerod.