O'hara and byrne ignite coward's 'fallen angels' with risqué revival
A phone cord, a disastrous rehearsal, and a stunningly improbable stage mishap – that’s how Kelli O’Hara’s character, Julia, found herself dramatically propelled across the stage during the Broadway revival of Noël Coward’s ‘Fallen Angels.’
A collision of chaos and comedy
Director Scott Ellis, witnessing the unexpected athletic display, famously declared, “We’re keeping that!” This spontaneous moment of improvisation perfectly encapsulates the show’s delightfully chaotic spirit – a blend of witty dialogue, physical comedy, and surprisingly frank explorations of female desire.
Secrets, scandals, and champagne
The play centers on two longtime friends, Julia (O’Hara) and Jane (Rose Byrne), both hopelessly entangled with the same man, Maurice (Mark Consuelos). Their weekend of idleness quickly unravels when Maurice announces his return, igniting a whirlwind of jealousies, accusations, and a considerable amount of champagne. Expect a relentless barrage of insults and pointed remarks, as the women fiercely defend their positions and their husbands – Aasif Mandvi as the stoic Richard and Christopher Fitzgerald as the charming, if oblivious, George.
A bold legacy
‘Fallen Angels’ nearly faced censorship upon its 1925 premiere. The Lord Chamberlain’s Office, the body regulating obscenity, deemed the play too provocative for its depiction of adultery and premarital sex. Yet, audiences flocked to see it, and critics, initially appalled, ultimately recognized its subversive humor. This revival, nearly a century later, re-examines those themes with a fresh perspective, fueled by the actresses’ own bold choices.
O’hara’s return, byrne’s revelation
For O’Hara, a Tony winner and seven-time nominee, ‘Fallen Angels’ represents a chance to push boundaries. “I just love pushing on that edge,” she confessed. “I love being part of something that says, I’d like you to be surprised.” Byrne echoes this sentiment, highlighting the play’s willingness to tackle uncomfortable conversations about sexuality and relationships. “When we sat around the rehearsal table, we ended up having discussions about the nature of sexuality and romantic relationships,” Byrne explained. “People have feelings about it, and they have opinions on it – it’s an age-old part of our culture.”
Beyond the gowns and glamour
While the production’s lavish period costumes and set—a stark contrast to Byrne’s Oscar-nominated performance in ‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’—underscore the play’s extravagance, ‘Fallen Angels’ delves deeper than mere surface glamour. It's a provocative exploration of female agency and a subtle critique of societal expectations, as evidenced by Julia's pointed remark: “Men should have the monopoly on wild oats.”
A timeless resonance
Despite its initial struggles, ‘Fallen Angels’ continues to resonate today. The production’s 1927 debut only ran for 36 performances, but its 1956 revival demonstrated its enduring appeal. “Rose and I talk all the time about how surprising it is, now that we’re doing it, that the play’s just not been done,” O’Hara remarked. “But I think it will start to be done now.”