Still Lives

Inspired by Noël Coward’s Private Lives, Still Lives is a razor-sharp contemporary romantic comedy about the people we love, the people we marry, and the people we can never quite escape. When newlyweds Manda and James arrive at a luxury hotel for their honeymoon, the last thing Manda expects is to discover that her ex-husband Eli is staying in the suite next door with his new wife. What begins as awkward coincidence quickly spirals into a dangerously familiar late-night conversation filled with old rhythms, unresolved longing, and the terrifying realization that some relationships don’t end — they simply wait for the right moment to reignite.

As the night unfolds, four intelligent, emotionally complicated adults find themselves trapped between passion and stability, honesty and self-destruction, comfort and chaos. Equal parts hilarious, devastating, and uncomfortably honest, Still Lives explores why we repeat the same mistakes even when we know exactly where they lead. With whip-smart dialogue, biting humor, and emotional precision, the play asks a haunting question: if you truly understand your own toxic patterns… why are you still powerless to stop them?

Duration: 130 Min
Roles: 2F, 2M
Performance Group: Professional, Community Theatre, College
Setting: Adjacent luxury hotel rooms with balconies

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