THE brilliant yet brittle comedy by Noel Coward, Private Lives, is the next production to be performed by South Ribble's resident theatre company.

The C'est Tous Theatre Company, which has just completed two sell-out runs with Shakespeare's Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet, is now heading in a dramatically different direction with Coward's masterpiece.

Written in 1929, and first performed in 1930 with Coward cast as Elyot, the play tells the story of a quarrelsome divorced couple who leave their new spouses and run off together.

In its time it was shocking -- but hilarious.

The action in the play is triggered by coincidence, when Amanda Prynne (Christine Appleby) steps onto the terrace in the South of France, and who should appear but former husband Elyot Chase (David Houston). The sparkling comedy is packed with brittle repartee, and is the perfect example of Coward's work.

Private Lives opens on Monday, April 10, and runs for seven performances until Sunday, April 16, inclusive. Performances, at the Marsden Theatre, in Worden Park, Leyland, start at 8pm and there is a pre-show talk each evening at 7.15pm. Tickets cost £8 (concessions £6) from the box office. Call (01772) 431300.