Princess Hotel *** A sparkling account of one of Noel Coward's best loved comedies has notched up yet another success for Jabulani Repertory Company's winter season at the Princess.

`Private Lives' established Coward's talent for elegant, high comedy and, since its triumphant premiere in 1930, there have been countless revivals ever since, most notably by the Royal National Theatre and, in a delicious mixing of aphorisms about life imitating art, as a vehicle for the twice-wed Burton and Taylor.

Coward, the son of a piano salesman whose urbane wit was personified in the play's central role, was created for himself: it finds the suave Elyot Chase honeymooning in the south of France, already mildly, but not yet irretrievably irritated by the sheer silliness of Sybil, his chosen bride. Choosing a balcony setting for the famously hilarious opening scene, the fun begins when Eylot and his former wife -- also on honeymoon with a new and hopelessly pompous husband -- discover that they have ended up in the same hotel. To the tune of `Some Day I'll Find You' ("strange how potent cheap music is''), Elyot and Amanda come face to face on their adjacent balconies. Realising, with unseemly swiftness, that both of their second partners have been disastrous choices, they succumb, all over again, to the irresistible chemistry and intellectual similarities that brought them together in the first place. Romantic recklessness takes over and they rush off to Amanda's Paris apartment, leaving two shocked and furious spouses in their wake.

Viewed from the distance of 60 years, it is difficult to believe that the circumstances of this plot (especially the amorous `sofa scene' in the apartment) caused England's censorious Lord Chamberlain a serious case of the jitters when it was first produced; in the late '90's it has become a delightful period piece that has acquired a certain patina of timelessness as a comedy of manners in the tradition of Congreve and Wilde.

Annette Hallett's direction beautifully captures this sense of period and, with a superb cast at her disposal, she has been able to maintain the coruscating wit at the necessary cracking pace.

Richard Fell brings his customary talent to the role of Elyot; suavely brandishing elegant cigarette holders and sipping exotic cocktails, his waspish humour positively glitters. Once again, he is united onstage with Helen Coffey and, together, they repeat the remarkable rapport that was seen in `Educating Rita'. Coffey, a very chic Amanda, is quite a cool customer herself, equal to and often capping Elyot's stream of witty barbs. There is a wonderful stage chemistry between these two which reaches a wonderfully funny climax as their romantic tryst erupts, inevitably, into a magnificent and highly entertaining display of almost manic fury.

The casting of Nancy Thompson and Matthew Clifford as Sybil and Victor proved a brilliant move as each in their own way provide almost perfect foils for the brittle sophistication of their counterparts. Bubbly and giggly, Thompson was sweetly scatty and Clifford (taking on the role created, unlikely as that may seem, by Laurence Olivier) was every inch the beautifully mannered by ultimately ineffectual, chinless wonder. Completing the cast is Janet Pyrah in an amusing cameo as the French-speaking maid.

Visually, too, this show is a delight, thanks to Richard Klesnicks' designs: as an added bonus, the audience can watch a near-miraculous intermission transformation from balcony scene to sumptuous Paris apartment -- well worth waiting for and providing a fascinating insight into the ingenuity of stage design.

`Private Lives' is the latest in a trio of productions (the others are the marvellous `Driving Miss Daisy' and the scary `I'll Be Back Before Midnight') that seems to have set the seal of excellence on this semi-professional company. Producer Dusty Hind has certainly succeeded in his quest of providing what is now virtually year-round theatre -- a first for Bermuda. Understanding the fickle nature of local audiences (let alone tourists) he has wisely struck a middle path, choosing plays with wide appeal and, most importantly, attracting Bermuda's best actors. `Private Lives' is a shining example of what can be achieved and anyone remotely interested in theatre should make a point of seeing this polished and wonderfully entertaining production.

`Private Lives' will be performed this week (tomorrow through Saturday) and also next week, February 19, 20 and 21.

Patricia Calnan PRIVATE LIVES -- The cast of Jabulani Repertory Company's production of Noel Coward's `Private Lives' includes (from left to right) Janet Pyrah, Matthew Clifford, Nancy Thompson, Helen Coffey and Richard Fell.