30th April, 1st and 2nd May 2026

Amanda and Elyot are charming, rich, utterly reckless – and divorced. When they meet unexpectedly on the first night of their honeymoons with new partners, in the balmy moonlight of the French Riviera, old flames re-ignite, and impulsive love takes hold. But they divorced for a reason, and their fiery romance soon spirals into a chaotic riot of passionate desire, slanging matches and outrageous battles. Private Lives is a sparkling comedy of manners – hilarious, stylish, and a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with razor-sharp wit, sizzling chemistry, and timeless sophistication.

The show ran to rapturous applause from a packed audience on every night. Here is just a glimpse of the performance.

Here is what our reviewer, Elizabeth Coulter, said in the Isle of Wedmore News:

Wedmore Theatre’s Hilarious ‘Private Lives‘

If you were fortunate enough to see Wedmore Theatre’s production of Noël Coward’s ‘Private Lives‘, directed by Sue Rippon, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Judging by the audience response on the first night, they certainly did!

The plot of ‘Private Lives‘ is simple. Five years after their divorce from a tempestuous marriage, Elyot and Amanda are married to two very different partners and have unknowingly chosen to spend the first night of their honeymoon in a hotel in France in adjacent rooms. They give the sense that, despite this being only the first day of their honeymoon, they might already be having second thoughts about their new partners; setting the scene for a rekindling of their old passions. The play is a Coward classic, renowned for its sharp and witty dialogue, and this talented cast did it justice, turning in confident performances with fluid delivery of the lines, conveying the feel of a time very different to today. Add the hilarious use here of physical humour, very slick and effective in adding another dimension to, what can otherwise be, a rather static play.

Will Vero as Elyot was definitely not a caricature of Noël Coward, who created the role for himself, but played a carefree and flamboyant, larger than life, character who was unreliable and mischievous and set on having a good time despite what impact it may have on others. Sonya Bull presented Amanda as slightly world-weary and bored with her life at the start. Her timing and interpretation of lines was excellent. As the play progresses, she clearly demonstrates Amanda’s ability to be as unreliable as Elyot, not being led astray by him but as an equal partner in their plan to escape to Paris. Matilda Friend as Sybil was an inspired piece of casting. Her portrayal of a naïve and almost childlike newlywed was splendid and her bouts of uncontrolled sobbing very funny. Tristan Elliot Palmer’s performance was equally enjoyable. He was thoroughly convincing as the rather boring-but-nice Victor, whose gradual realisation of what sort of woman he has married was a joy to watch. One of the highlights for me was the number of times he had a door slammed in his face- impeccable comic timing! Venetia Hopkins as the French maid Louise, with her faultless French accent and her air of complete bewilderment was another addition to the laughter.

Judy Phillpotts designed and sourced beautiful, stylish costumes which placed the characters firmly in the period and society they inhabited. Congratulations to Mike Rippon for the splendid sets, which always add so much to Wedmore Theatre’s productions. In particular the opening balcony scene which, together with lighting and sound, transported the audience to a ‘posh’ seaside resort in France.

Well done all involved. What a shame he didn’t write a sequel, as I can’t help wondering what would have happened to them all next!