Of all the plays by Noel Coward, Private Lives ranks as one of his quintessential comedies.

The story of a divorced (and remarried) couple that cannot stay away from each other inspired Coward and he wrote it in just four days for himself and Gertrude Lawrence. They headlined the premiere productions in both London and New York. Since then many actresses have played Amanda, many actors have played Elyot, and audiences everywhere enjoy watching these two battle their way through a love-hate relationship.

In the production on stage now at Fairview Library Theatre, it is Lawrence Stevenson and Judy Gans who deliver the sharply-worded barbs and tender endearments. Gans, using wild vocal inflections, underscores Amanda's flightiness and Stevenson seems to be channeling the playwright with his clipped delivery of Elyot's caustic remarks.

For all their banter, however, the success of failure of any production of Private Lives hinges on how much the performers can make the audience believe that these two really do love each other, even when they are slugging each other. Gans and Stevenson are particularly effective in the second act where they lounge casually around her Paris flat and the viewer is left feeling they are eavesdropping on some very private conversations.

Credit director L. Garth Allen with keeping the performances grounded in reality, even if their reality is of a world far removed from most of us. He has also designed a sumptuous den of iniquity for Amanda and Elyot.

They are given excellent support, too. Heather Goodall as Elyot's new wife, Sybil, plays the role as a pale incarnation of Amanda. You can see through her performance why he would be attracted to her and at the same time why he is better off with his first wife. Goodall really lets down her hair in the play's third act when she and Edward Karek as Amanda's stuffy second spouse, Victor, confront their partners in the play's farcical wrap-up.

There is also a delicious comic performance by Monica Paraghamian as the wheezing French maid, Louise. She only appears in the final act, but it's a performance that enlivens an already very funny show.

Private Lives has been delighting audiences for close to 80 years. It may seem foolproof, but it's actually a show that has to be played very precisely. If the performers stumble over their words, or if the split-second timing isn't honored, the piece can quickly deflate.

Thanks to the focused efforts of this great cast, combined with sharp direction, the whole thing sparkles. Those who have never seen this play before are advised not to miss this production, and those who have previously seen the show will revel in the chance to get reacquainted with Elyot and Amanda.

Stage Centre Productions offers Private Lives at Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall Dr., until Saturday, Oct. 17. For tickets and performance schedule please click here visit or call the box office at 416-299-5557.