Though many habitues a.k.a. theater buffs know the name Noel Coward, they’ve never seen any of his stage plays performed live. Admittedly, I include myself in that category… until now.
Fallen Angels, written by Coward, premiered at London’s Globe Theater in 1925 and starred Tallulah Bankhead and Edna Best. The 2026 Broadway revival, directed by Scott Ellis, had a sold-out Broadway run, received five Tony nominations, and starred Rose Byrne and Kelli O’Hara. And this filmed presentation of the live stage play knocked my socks off.
It’s delicious. The staging itself is hysterical, with Byrne and O’Hara going full-out, slip-sliding their bodies, contortioning along walls, floors, staircases and every piece of furniture on David Rockwell's beautiful set. I’m not as familiar with O’Hara’s work as I am with Byrne’s. O’Hara is definitely known for her work in the theater. Byrne was most recently nominated for an Oscar in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.
In Fallen Angels, both women are at the top of their game. This is the third stage play-to-screen adaptation I’ve seen in the past year. The other two were Merrily We Roll Along and Hades Town; Fallen Angels is absolutely the best of the three. It’s a must-watch for anyone who enjoys a deep belly-laugh at the expense of those who consider themselves to be ‘upper class’.
Coward and Ellis present their comedy with a dollop of scandal, a dash of foreign intrigue, ribald rivalry between friends, cigarettes in long holders, marriages taken for granted and flouncy dressing-gowns, all on a silver platter. There’s much discussion about ‘being in love’ vs ‘loving someone’ and the atmosphere is akin to a carnival with each ride spinning completely out of control. The more inebriated our stars get, the greater the laughter. And the costumes – this production received a well-deserved Tony Award in the category.
So raise a glass and say 'cheers' to Fallen Angels, a film as bubbly as the champagne the cast is joyfully knocking back.
Florida's Film, Television and the Arts Magazine
