There is no doubt Private Lives has and in the hands of an excellent cast at Worthing's Connaught Theatre this week, it sparkles.

With no depth to the plot but packed full of comedy and emotions as it looks at relationships and how they move from loving to violent, the success of the production relies heavily on the actors' ability to capture their characters and portray their emotions with perfect timing.

None of this was a problem for the main cast of Steven Pinder, Georgina Sutton, Kevin Pallister and Emily Pennant-Rea on Tuesday's opening night at Worthing's Connaught Theatre. They were just perfect.

Newlyweds Elyot and Sibyl are on the first day of their honeymoon in France when Elyot discovers they are sharing a hotel balcony with his first wife Amanda and her husband Victor, also just starting their married life.

Their new partners are clearly exact opposites of their predecessors and are busy planning their lives ahead and, annoyingly, trying to discover what went before.

Elyot and Amanda immediately realise they are still in love and depart post-haste to Amanda's flat in Paris to rekindle their relationship but they soon go back to their former bickering ways.

Steven Pinder conveyed just how his character was feeling throughout and there was a great stage chemistry between him and Georgina Sutton, as the playful yet contentious Amanda. Their fight scene is so realistic it has to be seen to be believed.

Georgina, blessed with some of the play's best lines, gave some very convincing facial expressions, one of the best being when she first spotted Elyot on the balcony while looking in her mirror.

Emily Pennant-Rea makes a very irritating Sibyl come to life and is hilarious when she finally convinces herself all is not roses.

Very English and pompous Victor is given a likeable quality as conveyed by Kevin Pallister and, as with Pinder, this is a complete contrast to last week's parts in Deadly Game.

Judith Rae provides some comedy as the maid Louise, even though she speaks French throughout her scenes.

With a superb set by Julie Godfrey and directed by Chris Jordan, Private Lives is a timeless piece bound to make you laugh.

It finishes a run at the Connaught on Saturday. Tickets are £13 to £22 from the box office on 01903 206206 or www.worthingtheatres.co.uk

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