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CONTENTS:
1. Playwright biography
2. Main Characters and Plot Summary
3. Vocabulary
4. America in the 1930s
5. Meeting Standards in Communication Arts
6. Meeting Standards in Fine Arts
7. Meeting Standards in Social Studies
Noel Pierce Coward Biography
Noel Pierce Coward was born in the small, quaint village of Teddington, England. Born on December 19th, 1899, so close to Christmas Day, he was named after this famous holiday and fame would be the factor that would follow him throughout the rest of his life. Noel came from a family with very little money and therefore, was always fascinated by the rich and the beautiful. He had no more than a few years at elementary school but at age 7, Noel stepped on stage in a community concert. It was from that point on he knew he was to be an artist.
This instinctual passion led him into every avenue of art. He was a playwright, a musician, a painter, a filmmaker, a director, and an actor. By the time Coward was 30, he had contributed some of the best pieces of literature given to us in the past century. Some of these are The Vortex, Fallen Angels, Hayfever, Present Laughter, Blithe Spirit and of course, Private Lives.
Private Lives earned Coward the position of being the highest paid author in the English Speaking world, in the year, 1930. He had written it while he was on tour with his companion, Jeffrey Amherst, to the Far East. They arrived in Shanghai where Coward caught the flu and was laid up in bed. It was here that he proceeded to write Private Lives in four days.
"Destiny's Tot" was another nickname Coward inherited during the span of his career. He had a way of writing to reflect the changes in his life and the world around him. He wrote from World War I through the 1970's. He became a voice for the people's fears, hopes and dreams. He did this through his "talent to amuse" and all the while, he remained a success.
Coward had a variety of life experiences to draw from for his writing. He was drafted in 1918 for military duty. He had contacts in the military and was given an assignment in the Artists Rifles corps. He hated it. It drove him into a nervous breakdown and he was given an honorable medical discharge after 9 months.
His acting career had been put on hold due to his military obligation and when he returned, he found it extremely hard to find work. He continued to audition and write, submitting his work all over London. In 1920, he had his first play; I Leave It To You, produced in the West End. The play was not received in the way Coward would have liked and this caused him to save up enough money to move to New York. Coward loved the fast pace of the city and the eccentric personalities of the artists he met. Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne were two of his very close friends. They were unknown actors at the time but eventually found success. Coward also spent time with Hartley Manners and his wife, the "over-the-top" actress, Laurette Taylor. It is said that this feuding couple was an inspiration for his hit comedy, Hayfever.
After some time spent in America, Coward returned to London in 1923. Then, in 1924, he wrote, directed, and starred in The Vortex. It was this play, which opened at the Everyman Theatre in suburban London, which made him a huge star. Over the next two years he did productions of The Vortex in both London and New York. His career continued to flourish and he did again join forces with the military in 1939. This time he would entertain the troupes in Europe, Africa, and the Far East. He covered most of the expenses himself and produced a variety of hit plays. The war seemed to take a strong hold on Coward and yet he brought the world a tremendous amount of joy, laughter and release during those troubled times.
Main Characters
Sibyl Chase is an attractive, twenty-three year-old, first-time bride who is more than a little threatened by her new husband's first wife, Amanda.
Elyot Chase, Sibyl's new husband and Amanda's ex, has an acidic wit that he brandishes regardless of the situation.
Victor Prynne, Amanda's second husband, is very pleased to describe himself as "normal."
Amanda Prynne is a beautiful second-time bride with a fiery temper and a tendency toward impulsive behavior.
Plot Summary
The story is about a high-society couple named Amanda and Elyot. They have divorced and are now remarried to the gullible Victor and the insecure Sybil. The problem is Amanda and Elyot can't live without each other and yet, they can't really live with each other. They have murderous fights and rageful fits, which living amongst the rich, they feel entitled to. Not to mention they both have some pleasure in outwitting each other. Some might call it a sick addiction, they call it love.
The play opens at a beautiful hotel in France. Both Amanda and Victor, and Elyot and Sybil are honeymooning there. The drama starts when Amanda and Elyot see one another on the patio and decide to run away together. The attraction has returned and their fascination with their new spouses has worn off. They sneak off to Amanda's flat in Paris. Peace prevails for a short time until they are back to "tearing each other's heads off." At the climax of their fight, their jaded lovers, Sybil and Victor, walk in.
Amanda and Elyot proceed to then work at recovering the trust of their present spouses. This leads Sybil and Victor into a treacherous fight. They are defending their "lovers." Somehow, in the midst of their fight, Amanda and Elyot forgive one another and slowly sneak out the door.
The End.
The plot is simple. It is the wit, charm, elegance, and perspective of the characters that is fascinating to watch. It is because of this sense of style and sophistication that Coward's friends and peers crowned him "The Master."
Vocabulary
Blasé- Sybil marvels at the sunset and chides Elyot for being overly casual
or blase about its beauty.
Vindictive- Each of the characters, at some point, accuses another of being vindictive or seeking revenge.
Bathe- In this instance, Elyot and Sibyl's plans to bathe do not involve a tub. By bathing, they mean swimming in the ocean.
Flagrant infidelity- In her plea for divorce, Amanda used this phrase to accuse Elyot of repeatedly being unfaithful to her.
St. Moritz- This trendy Swiss ski resort was the site of Amanda and Elyot's honeymoon as well as the 1928 and 1948 Winter Olympics.
Vehement- One of Amanda and Elyot's greatest barriers to happiness is that they are both very emotional or vehement in their discussions.
Cad- This is Victor's assessment of Elyot--a man without any of the traits
of a gentleman.
Gramophone- Amanda breaks the albums for this old-style record player on Elyot's head.
Pompous- Amanda scolds Victor for acting snobbish or pompous towards Elyot.
Harping- Neither Victor nor Sibyl can resist asking question after question or harping about their spouse's ex.
Sacrilegious- Amanda says that Victor is showing great disrespect or sacrilege for their wedding vows by continuing to talk about Elyot on their honeymoon.
Boule- Victor wants to play this French equivalent of Italian bocce or English lawn bowling.
Chemin de fer - This French term for "railway" is also the most popular gambling card game in Europe. The present day versions are variations of Italian baccara which Charles VIII introduced to France in 1490. Inveterate- Amanda claims that she is a habitual or inveterate gambler.
Cochineal- When Sibyl can't find her lipstick, Elyot jokingly suggests that she have the kitchen send her some of this food coloring dye made from the scales of the cochineal insect.
Presentiments- Elyot lies to Sibyl, telling her that he needs to leave the resort because he has a presentiment, or feeling that something bad is going to happen.
Obstinate- When Sibyl won't give in to his demands, Elyot uses this word to call her stubborn.
Flat- Amanda doesn't mean that she has a flat tire in Paris, but instead an
apartment
Crinoline- Amanda mocks Elyot's old-fashioned expectations of her behavior by saying that she will put on this old style hoopskirt.
Promiscuous- When Elyot learns that Amanda has had relationships since their divorce, he accuses her of having no judgment or being promiscuous.
Borax- This is a common household cleaner.
Amicable- It is a rare occasion when this word, meaning friendly can be used to describe Amanda and Elyot's relationship.
Edifying- Little, if anything, that Amanda and Elyot say to each other is edifying or encouraging.
Oblivion- Elyot claims he looks forward to oblivion, or a sense of nothingness, after death.
Imbeciles- By the end of the play, all of the characters are behaving like imbeciles or fools.
Flippancy- Elyot's flippancy or constant use of humor in serious circumstances annoys Victor.
Ludicrous- The whole situation in which these characters find themselves is ludicrous or absurd.
Superficial- This term, meaning shallow, could easily be used to describe both Elyot and Amanda.
Adder- Elyot likens Amanda to this poisonous snake.
Boorish- This kind of behavior is inconsiderate or insensitive.
Smirched- Sibyl complains that the whole affair has left her reputation soiled or smirched.
Invective- Elyot claims that Victor's only threat is abusive language or invective.
Hunt the Slipper- This is an old parlor game in which players sit in a circle and try to pass a shoe around the ring without getting caught.
Slattern- Elyot turns vicious when he uses this term for a prostitute against Amanda.
Insipid- Amanda considers Sibyl to be dull and tasteless, or insipid.
America in the 1930's
1. The population of America was estimated at 123, 188, 000 in 48 states.
2. The average salary was $1,368 per year.
3. There were 21 Lynchings in this decade.
4. Unemployment rose 25%.
5. From 1929 to 1932 the average income of families reduced from $2,300 per year to $1,500 per year. This was a drop of 40% and a direct result of The Great Depression.
6. The Social Security Act of 1935 set up a program to secure money for the elderly.
7. The presidents were Herbert Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
8. Mary Mcleod Bethune was an African American educator who was able to extend benefits to African Americans.
9. Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly and the second pilot to fly alone across the Atlantic Ocean.
10. Will Rogers was a cowboy from Oklahoma who became well-loved as an actor, radio broadcaster and author.
11. Some of the most remarkable pieces of architecture were completed in the 1930's. These include: the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and Rockefeller Center.
12. Education was influenced by the drop in the economy and teachers made $40 a month for a five month school year. Some public schools had to charge tuition and many children were forced to drop out.
13. Stamp collecting became a popular hobby due to lack of funds for more adventurous pursuits.
14. Monopoly came out in 1935 and there were 20 thousand sets sold each week. Board games were all the rage.
15. The Winter Olympics were held in 1932 in Lake Placid, New York.
16. The "zipper" used in clothing became a huge fad because it was cheaper than the buttons that were used before. Men wore sweaters instead of three-piece suites to save money.
17. Dr. Seuss was a great success among children's books and Dale Carnegie wrote the famous book How to Win Friends and Influence People in 1936.
18. Big Bands were all the fashion and such musicians as Duke Ellington, Glen Miller and Cole Porter were thriving. People loved to dance in their rockin' swing rhythms.
19. In 1931, congress designated "The Star Spangled Banner" as America's National Anthem.
20. On October 30, 1938, Orson Welles broadcast H.G. Well's story, War of the Worlds over the radio. The tale was about Martians attacking earth and although there was a disclaimer at the end of the program, millions of listeners took it literally and panicked.
Meeting Standards in Communication Arts
Before the Performance
1. Have you ever had a relationship with someone which seemed to thrive on controversy--a relationship that was very volatile and at the same time exciting? Describe your own experience, or someone else's that you have observed, in a journal entry. Then, in a group of no more than five, discuss what you think are both the appeal and the pitfalls of this sort of relationship.
2. One of the major themes of Private Lives is the childishness that many adults retain throughout their lives. The characters in this play argue without reason or provocation and refuse to budge from their positions, no matter how ridiculous they may be, much like young children do when playing. Clearly willfulness and temper tantrums are not behaviors that transfer well to adulthood, but are there any childhood qualities that would be beneficial for adults to maintain? Respond to this question in a journal entry, explaining what childhood characteristics you think would serve adults well or why you think it is important for adults to leave childhood completely in the past. Regardless of your opinion, give examples of how your choice would apply in everyday life for an adult. For example, if you argue that it would be useful for adults to maintain the energy that they had as children, explain how that would benefit them in their jobs.
After the Performance
3. In an effort to beat his critics to the punch, Coward lodged complaints of his own against his writing in Private Lives. He claimed that Victor and Sibyl were little more than "puppets" or "wooden nine-pins, set up only to be knocked down again." Based on The Festival's production of the play, would you agree or disagree with Coward's own assessment of these two characters? Do you see them strictly as victims of their circumstances (and their spouses), or do think that they have the potential to be more complex characters? Write your response in the form of a letter to Mr. Coward. Be sure to support your viewpoint with specific evidence from the play.
4. Under pressure from Sibyl to declare his undying love for her, Elyot explains that he loves her differently than he loved Amanda--that the love he has now is "wiser." He goes on to say: "Love is no use unless it's wise, and kind, and undramatic. Something steady and sweet, to smooth out your nerves when you're tired. Something tremendously cozy; and unflurried by scenes and jealousies." Think about other plays or movies that you have seen, as well as books and short stories that you have read that deal with love as a theme. Which is more common--the kind of tempestuous love that Amanda and Elyot shared or the "wiser" love of Elyot and Sibyl? What is the typical end result for couples in each of these kinds of relationships? Imagine that you are a life coach providing group therapy for these two couples. Based on the patterns that you have seen in literature and film, advise these couples on their future. Should they pursue "undramatic" love, or passion, or is it possible for them to have both? Write your advice to them in a minimum of 200 words, explaining why you recommend what you do.
Meeting Standards in Fine Arts
Before the Performance
1. Private Lives is a play in three acts, with the first act taking place on the balcony of a resort on the French Riviera and the second and third acts moving to a posh apartment in Paris. Imagine that you are the set designer for this production. What are some possible solutions to this design challenge? Research architecture of the early 1930s and use it as a starting place for your own design. Create a working model of your design, which shows the scene shift from the resort to Paris.
After the Performance
2. Elyot and Amanda describe several scenes from their earlier life together, including moments from their honeymoon. Recreate one of the incidents that they describe or another of your own making by writing a new scene for this quarrelsome couple. Then cast two of your classmates in the roles, rehearse the scene and perform it for your class.
3. A common rehearsal technique used by actors is a method called animal essences. This technique is based in the idea that every person is physically driven by some sort of animalistic nature and finding that nature can help an actor define a character's movement patterns. For example, an actor who is developing a character who is very aggressive might choose a pit bull dog as that character's animal essence. To apply this to the role, the actor would observe that animal's movement and mimic it while saying his or her lines. Of course, people don't actually crawl around on all fours (usually), so to refine that movement for performance, the actor would isolate one particular aspect of that animal's physicality. For the aggressive character, the actor might glean a lunging motion from the pit bull. Then, when the character verbally attacks someone, he or she might lunge towards them. This gives definition to an actor's movement and helps him or her find a unique physicality for each character. Think about the characters in Private Lives. Based on what you know about them, assign each an animal essence. Be sure to choose an animal whose motion you can actually use. For example, we think of foxes as being crafty or sly, but it is difficult to translate that into their movement, so a fox would not be a good choice for an animal essence. Then choose one of your characters to "put into rehearsal." Find three other people to complete your cast and rehearse the following scene applying your animal essences. Keep in mind that the animal essence can also be useful in helping define a character's movement when he or she is not speaking.
Sibyl: Elyot and I have come to a decision.
Amanda: How very nice!
Victor: What is it?
Amanda: Don't be silly, Victor. Look at their faces.
Elyot: Feminine intuition, very difficult.
Amanda: Feminine determination, very praiseworthy.
Sibyl: I am not going to divorce Elyot for a year.
Amanda: I congratulate you.
Elyot: Sibyl has behaved like an angel.
Amanda: Well, it was certainly her big moment.
Meeting Standards in Social Studies
Before the Performance
1. Much of Noel Coward's notoriety developed out of his own manipulations of the media. He seemed to know just how much (or little) information to reveal about himself to keep the public's interest in him piqued. In this way, he became one of the first individuals to be famous for being famous. What contemporary entertainers or celebrities can you name who have made a name for themselves in a similar way? Does today's quick news cycle and technologically driven communications system affect a celebrity's ability to keep his or her name in the news? Do you think that if he were entering the entertainment industry today, Noel Coward would have the same kind of enduring star power that he did in his own time? Consider these questions as you write an essay of at least 500 words on the relationship of celebrity to the media.
2. Private Lives is set in 1930, directly between the World Wars and immediately after the stock market crash of 1929. Yet, in what would seem like difficult economic times, the characters in this play lead carefree, extravagant lives filled with international travel and posh accommodations. Research this time period to see how these characters compare to the rest of society at this time. Be sure to examine the history of both Europe, England in particular, as well as the United States. Based on your research, create a presentation for your class which explains the political, economic and social trends of 1930 in Europe and the United States.
After the Performance
3. Very early on in the play, Sibyl and Victor and Elyot and Amanda establish very different expectations for women's and men's behavior. Sibyl and Victor seem to prefer more traditional views of female and male behavior, expecting the woman to be the more retiring of the two and the man to be the aggressor, while Elyot and Amanda reverse those roles. Although our culture today does maintain some of those same expectations, we now have a much more blended view of men's and women's behavior. Place these characters' perceptions in the context of their own time by researching typical male and female roles in 1930. Find a partner and divide the work between you so that one person in researching women's roles and the other is researching men's roles. Be sure to include information such as occupations and pastimes for each gender as well as legal status, role in society and fashion trends. Compare and contrast this information with current roles for men and women. Together with your partner, create a presentation for the class based on your research.
4. In the second act, Amanda and Elyot allude to the home life of their maid, Louise, suggesting that it is probably a very dismal situation. However, they don't actually know anything about Louise (or anyone below their own class) at all. What other devices does Coward employ to illustrate the disconnect between the moneyed classes and the working class? Discuss this in a group of no more than five.
