Private Lives

July 18 – August 23, 2026

Wurtele Thrust Stage

by NOËL COWARD
directed by DAVID IVERS

Show

A quick-witted comedy

It’s been five years since divorcees Elyot and Amanda called it quits. It wasn’t that they didn’t adore each other — their union was just too tempestuous for their own good. Now they’re both on marriage number two and honeymooning at a popular resort town in France with their new spouses, Sibyl and Victor, who remain unconvinced that the flames between the former dynamic duo have fizzled. When the couples discover they are vacationing at the same hotel, insults and romantic sparks fly until everyone is caught in the emotional crossfire and forced to follow their hearts. This delicious will-they-won’t-they comedy will have you rooting for the lovers and leave you laughing the whole way home.

Three things to know

This witty comedy of manners is considered to be Noël Coward’s most famous work, and it is revived often on London’s West End and beyond.
Private Lives is a Guthrie audience favorite: We previously produced the play in our 1975–1976, 1992–1993 and 2007–2008 Seasons.
Director David Ivers most recently helmed the Guthrie's production of The Importance of Being Earnest in our 2023–2024 Season.

Ticket prices

Tickets range from $35 to $94, including handling fees.

Run time

Approximately 2 hours, 15 minutes (including two intermissions)

Age recommendation

We recommend this production for ages 12 and up.

This production of Private Lives contains the use of production effects and mature content.

Coming soon

Patrons are invited to stay in the theater following select performances for a 20-minute conversation about the production facilitated by Guthrie staff. Cast members may join the discussion as they are able.

Sunday, July 26 at 1 p.m.
Tuesday, July 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 29 at 1 p.m.
Sunday, August 2 at 1 p.m.
Saturday, August 8 at 1 p.m.

American Sign Language interpretation by certified interpreters is offered for select performances.

Saturday, August 8 at 1 p.m.
Friday, August 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Visit the performance calendar, select the date above and use promo code ASL to purchase $25 tickets.

Audio description, which provides live verbal descriptions of the action, costumes and scenery for people who are blind or have low vision, is offered for select performances.

Saturday, August 8 at 1 p.m.
Friday, August 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Visit the performance calendar, select the date above and use promo code AD to purchase $25 tickets.

Open captioning, which displays text on display screens in real time that is synchronized to the action by an experienced captioner, is offered for select performances.