Description :

Private Lives – Tallulah Bankhead, Plymouth Playbill, 1948

This authentic Playbill from the 1948 Broadway revival of Noël Coward’s Private Lives—a sparkling portrayal of post-divorce entanglements and cosmopolitan charm—documents a landmark production that opened at the Plymouth Theatre on October 4, 1948, with a robust run of 248 performances closing on May 7, 1949.

The revival featured the inimitable Tallulah Bankhead as Amanda Prynne and Donald Cook as Elyot Chase, delivering Coward’s crackling dialogue with theatrical bravado. Barbara Baxley and Phil Arthur rounded out the cast with sophisticated turns as Sybil and Victor.

The production was produced by John C. Wilson, a trusted associate and longtime steward of Coward’s stage works, while the direction was credited to Martin Manulis, noted for his sensitive staging of modern classics. Scenic design was crafted by Charles Elson, conjuring locales ranging from Parisian hotel suites to sun-soaked terraces. Mainbocher, famed for his fusion of high fashion and theatricality, is associated with Tallulah Bankhead’s stage wardrobe during this era, adding visual elegance to her commanding performance.

Publicity and backstage operations were overseen by Joseph Heidt and Peggy Phillips, with promotional campaigns managed by Lawrence Weiner and Associates. The Plymouth Theatre—a hub for dramatic excellence—provided the perfect canvas for Coward’s wit and Bankhead’s iconic gravitas.

This Playbill is printed in crisp monochrome ink, bound in classic saddle-stitch format, and features a stylized illustration emblematic of mid-century theatrical design. A performance-issued original, it stands as a verifiable artifact from this refined revival—ideal for collectors of Broadway memorabilia, enthusiasts of Noël Coward’s timeless comedies, and admirers of Tallulah Bankhead’s dramatic legacy.

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