Fallen Angles by Noel Coward: Theatre Review
Fallen Angels is a play, written by Noel Coward, and first performed in 1925. It follows the story of two women, as they discover a former lover is going to be visiting again. Here’s my Fallen Angels by Noel Coward theatre review.
- Genre: Play
- Setting: A luxury flat in 1920s London
- Themes: Clever dialogue, female relationships, humour, extra-marital relations, female empowerment
- Perfect for: Anyone who enjoys clever play writing, light-hearted humour, and period plays
History of Fallen Angels by Noel Coward
Fallen Angels is a three‑act comedy by Noël Coward, first performed at the Globe Theatre in London on 21 April 1925. Its plot is centred on two married women, who are openly discussing premarital relationships and the possibility of adultery when their former lover returns. The content of the play, in 1920s Britain, led to objections from the Lord Chamberlain’s office, which initially considered refusing a licence. The play was eventually approved after minor dialogue changes and became notable for its early exploration of female autonomy and social conventions in post‑war Britain.
Plot synopsis of Fallen Angels by Noel Coward
Julia and Jane live in London with their husbands, Frederick and William. When Frederick and William leave for a golfing trip, Julia and Jane each receive a postcard from Maurice Duclos, a former lover to both women before their marriages, who met him in Italy. Maurice writes that he is arriving in London and intends to visit them. The women discuss their past relationships with him and express uncertainty about how they will respond to his arrival.
The two women wait for Maurice’s arrival, with their housekeeper Saunders, and attempt to decide whether they should leave London to avoid meeting Maurice. Their conversation becomes increasingly focused on the possibility of renewed romantic attention and the implications for their marriages. But Maurice doesn’t appear yet, despite the anticipation of the ladies. And as they wait, they get increasingly drunk. And Jane starts to hint that she has actually already seen Maurice in secret. Julia is angry at this betrayal, and the two women argue until Jane leaves.
The morning after
The next morning, Julia is nursing a hangover when Jane’s husband, William arrives. Julia tells William that Jane left the night before and believes Jane went to Maurice. Julia and William decide to go out to look for Jane.
Shortly after they leave, Fred gets to the house, and finds it empty. And then Jane arrives – definitely looking worse for wear after spending a drunken night out. It turns out that Jane was lying about having seen Maurice already. But when Jane sees that Julia is out, she starts to believe that actually Julia is the one who is with Maurice. So Jane tell’s Julia’s husband about Maurice, and how she believes Julia is now with him.
Julia and William get back home, so all four are in the same room. There’s confusion while they all work out which stories are true and which aren’t. Just as they’re all starting to reconcile, Maurice actually arrives. Julia and Jane manage to convince their husbands that Maurice is no threat, but both are clearly still taken with the handsome European, even after 9 years. Maurice informs them that he’s going to be living in the flat upstairs, and invites both women upstairs to help him choose curtains. The two husbands are relaxed and trusting at this point, so are happy for this to happen – until the chandelier starts shaking from the upstairs flat.
What I liked about this play
I really enjoyed seeing Fallen Angels by Noel Coward. I saw the film version in the cinema in the UK – a filmed version of the recent Broadway production. It worked very well on a cinema screen, and I’m sure would have been even better in the theatre.
The clever dialogue
One of my favourite things about going to see a Noel Coward play is that the dialogue is always so clever, and really funny. And this play didn’t disappoint – it was great.
I loved the clever dialogue. One of my favourite parts was later in the play, the morning after the ladies’ drunken night. Both women believe the other is out with Maurice, and they’re telling each other’s husbands about it. But no one is actually sure what the truth is, and everyone is getting confused. It’s such clever writing and really funny.
So much humour
There was so much humour in the dialogue. And the staging and actions of the characters added even more humour. The ladies’ drunken evening was very funny. Both actresses played being drunk brilliantly – it was really believable. And when they were laughing, it made the audience laugh along with them. There were some clever movement scenes as well, with over-the-top falling over chairs, and down stairs.
The maid, Saunders, was an amusing character as well. She always had a story about how she’d been there, done that – worked in this place, or met this person etc. It was very much like the character of Nessa in the BBC Sitcom Gavin and Stacey – although obviously this play came first!
Jane’s return the morning after was very funny as well. Her entrance was hilarious – with her hair all stuck up on one side, and her make up running down her face. She’d obviously had a rough night! And then her trying to smooth her hair when Maurice arrives.
And the ending was so funny as well. The look of shock on both the husbands’ faces when the chandelier starts shaking and they realise they shouldn’t have trusted Maurice.
The historical context of this play
It’s amazing that this play dates back to 1925. It actually felt really modern, and was still funny today. But understanding the historical context added something to the experience for me. I could see how it was empowering this play was for women at the time, to be talking so openly about their relations (or lack of) with their husband, pre-marital relations, and the temptation to succumb to adultery when Maurice returns. It must have felt very modern and empowering at the time.
What I wasn’t so sure about
My Fallen Angels by Noel Coward theatre review is really positive, and I can’t actually think of anything I didn’t like. I thought this production did a brilliant job of staying true to the script and the vibe of a Noel Coward play, while also making it fun and engaging for a modern audience. The two female leads were brilliant and carried the whole story brilliantly. The costumes and set were great. I honestly can’t fault it.
I guess if you’re not a fan of Noel Cowards’s style of play or writing, this might not be for you. But then you probably wouldn’t be going to see this play anyway.
Would I recommend going to see Fallen Angels by Noel Coward
I would definitely recommend going to see Fallen Angels by Noel Coward. It honestly was a great performance. The writing in the play is brilliant, and it’s amazing that its still entertaining audiences a century after it was first performed. I love Noel Coward plays, and thought this was a great performance. I’m keen to see even more Noel Coward plays now!
