Blithe Spirit, Hay Fever, Private Lives: Plays for Theater Enthusiasts

This collection of three Noel Coward plays is filled with languid aristocrats trading witticisms as they wait for martinis. It encapsulates the qualities that made Coward one of the most popular playwrights of the 1930s and '40s and one of the great personalities of the century.

In "Blithe Spirit," Charles Condomine finds himself visited by his first wife, Elvira. The twist? Elvira is now a ghost, and Charles has since remarried to Ruth. The resulting complications form the crux of this delightful play.

"Hay Fever" features bohemian protagonists who wreak emotional havoc on a house full of weekend visitors. Their unpredictable behavior and sharp tongues create a whirlwind of comic misunderstandings and chaos.

In "Private Lives," a recently divorced couple discovers they are staying in adjoining hotel rooms while on their honeymoons with their new spouses. The ensuing interactions are as witty and sharp as they are poignant, showcasing Coward's deft handling of complex relationships.

These plays highlight Coward's sharp wit, clever dialogue, and the sophisticated, yet often chaotic, lives of his characters.

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