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Design for Living  By  cover art

Design for Living

By: Noel Coward
Narrated by: Douglas Weston, Hamish Linklater, Claire Forlani
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Editorial reviews

The play, written in 1932 by the renowned Noel Coward, was considered daring for its time due to its frank and funny take on sex, love, and commitment. This L.A. Theatre Works Audio Theatre production presents the entire play perfectly, with a full cast headed by Claire Forlani, Hamish Linklater, and Douglas Weston. The controversial text becomes even sharper when heard in the crisp, distinct manner of the entire cast. While they are not people you become fond of, these selfish, egomaniacal, and extreme characters do catch your interest in a most engrossing way.

Publisher's summary

Three terminally stylish friends, who share rivalrous affections, attempt to uncoil their twisted love triangle in this sexy and scandalous gem. Written in 1932, the play was deemed extremely daring, and even by today's standards is considered controversial. In its frank and funny take on sex, love, and commitment, Design for Living proves to be one of Coward's greatest successes.
©1932 Noel Coward (P)2003 L.A. Theatre Works

What listeners say about Design for Living

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Loved the design

Having not seen or read this play before, I loved it.

And for my money $5.00 is not too high a price. I will now be looking out for a live performance and I do expect it will be an amateur theatre group who puts it on.

First performed in the US in 1933.
It does evoke the 1930's and I imagine it would be great fun and a challenge to perform well.

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Painfully bad

The LA Theatreworks series is very hit-and-miss, and this one is definitely a miss! Admittedly, this is a difficult, perhaps even poor, Coward play. It depends on charm and style to carry it through. The three main actors have none, and the director seems only to have focused on ensuring that each word is clearly spoken. This is always a good idea in an audio performance but not enough to carry a play! Avoid this one, but do try some of the other plays in the series.

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