Rose Byrne and Kelli O'Hara in "Fallen Angels" (photos by Joan Marcus)
TD and I recently had the pleasure of seeing "Fallen Angels" starring Rose Byrne and Kelli O'Hara on Broadway. Ads for this play popped up on my social media and I thought a play by Noel Coward set in the 1920s with direction by Scott Ellis and a set by David Rockwell starring these two fine actresses sounded right up my ally so we ordered some tickets.
The play is mounted by the Roundabout Theater Company at the Todd Haimes Theater on West 42nd Street. Modern day New York City imposed itself on the way to the theater as one has to run an obstacle course through ugly construction and scaffolding to get there. And the grand theater, built in 1918, has undergone a renovation that includes a little unattractive lobby and a tiny bar. Not very glamorous arrival. But once inside the theater itself, with its elegant decoration and historic architecture, the stage was set for an escapist entertainment.
Noel Coward wrote "Fallen Angels" when he was 24 and it was initially censored by Lord Chamberlain in England for it's "discussion of pre-marital sex" and the "quite unnecessary frankness of expression among women." Apparently, in England, in the 20s, women were not supposed to feel sexual desire. With a few changes, the play premiered in 1925 and has been produced only a couple of times since.
Without giving away too much of the plot, the story involves two upper class married society lady friends who find themselves sparring over a Frenchman they both knew in their single days. The plot starts off quite traditionally and a little slow but I think it was directed that way in order to contrast with the hijinx that is to come. As the polite friends Julia (O'Hara) and Jane (Byrne) drink more cocktails, they get increasingly argumentative and competitive with each other that culminates in laugh-out-loud lines and uproarious physical humor.
The very glamorous Art Deco set by
David Rockwell and gorgeous costumes by Jeff Mahshie are a delight to
the eye and offer a traditional, polished framework as the mayhem ensues. Because within the sophisticated setting and wearing beautiful clothes, the fun is watching two very proper characters really go at it and completely lose it over a man. We first saw and admired Kelli O'Hara in the beautiful musical play "The Light in the Piazza" and she now stars in "The Gilded Age" on HBO. Rose Byrne was reserved but so funny in the movies "Bridesmaids" and "Spy." In this play she has a cool British aristocratic attitude which is especially amusing to watch disintegrate. They're good sparing partners as they deliver their fast cutting lines. With visuals that are gorgeous to look at, it was a fun, fizzy night at the theater that was thoroughly entertaining.
"Fallen Angels" is playing through June 7th and tickets are available here.
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