Private Lives at the Guthrie Theater is a viciously funny, wickedly sharp comedy of manners in the best Noel Coward tradition. Under David Ivers’ direction, these four superb actors squeeze every ounce of physical humor out of the dialogue and staging. In this three-act play, Coward envisions love and romance as verbal swordplay, with short and flirty banter that often has layered and suggestive meaning. This clever play about the love/hate duality of marriage and relationships is exactly the summer play experience you need if you’re looking to escape into the glamour and wit of Noel Coward’s universe.

Five years after their divorce, Elyot Chase (William Connell) and Amanda Prynne (Laura Odeh) have married new spouses, Sibyl (Nikki Massoud) and Victor (Dustin Bronson), respectively. The two couples accidentally book the same hotel in Deauville, France for their honeymoons. Realizing that they are still in love with each other after an accidental meeting, the exes abandon their new spouses to rekindle their volatile romance which quickly devolves into old patterns. The acting is absolutely pitch-perfect. Connell and Odeh give their glamorous, world-weary characters real vulnerability and delightful snarkiness. Their physical beauty and charming costuming are bonuses. Bronson and Massoud as the jilted spouses are also outstanding, with a shout out to Bronson, a local favorite of AisleSayTwinCities. We can’t forget the small, but mighty part of piano player (Bradley Beahen), who welcomes Guthrie patrons with charming music and French ‘dad jokes’.

While the themes are timeless, there is one element of the play that may not hold up to modern scrutiny, namely the fights between Elyot and Amanda that are masked by a veneer of alcohol soaked high-society wit. There are physical altercations at the end of Acts Two and Three, where Amanda smashes a vinyl record over Elyot’s head, and Elyot slaps her in return. While the dialogue treats this as a degree of 1930s flippancy, modern audiences may see this as domestic violence rather than harmless slapstick. I found the scenes cringe-worthy but managed to view them in their original historical context. Others may not.

Private Lives by Noël Coward, directed by David Ivers. Now through August 23 on the Wurtele Thrust Stage. Alexander Dodge (Scenic Designer), Meg Neville (Costume Designer), Pablo Santiago (Lighting Designer), and Fabian Obispo (Sound Designer/Composer). Tickets range from $35 to $94 (handling fees included). Purchase single and group tickets (minimum requirement of 15 per group) through the Box Office at 612.377.2224 (single), 1.877.447.8243 (toll-free), 612.225.6244 (group) or online at guthrietheater.org.