Brief Glimpse of Coward’s ‘Private Life’

Noel Coward has been sighted yet again. In “Private Life,” at the Hudson Guild Theatre, Craig Archibald is a suave, troubled Coward woozily waking up at New York’s Plaza Hotel while on tour to promote his new autobiography. The production at the Hudson follows the recently closed “A Private Spirit . . . A Celebration of the Music and Wit of Noel Coward,” in which Don Snell played Coward at the Tiffany.

Where Snell inspired ennui, Archibald projects it. His pajama-clad and bleary-eyed Coward manages to be sophisticated and charming in his amusing enunciations. He chats cattily on the phone with close female friends while laughing or complaining about the savage criticism of his book. Amol Mhatre’s set exudes an air of slightly worn glamour.

The year 1937 was a rough time in Coward’s personal life. His lover had recently married, and his brother had died. This morning, he must contend with his one-night stand, a sailor, Darren (Paul Papadakis), who makes a startling entrance. Wearing only a gold chain with a crucifix, Darren’s searching for his briefs. His cheeky bluster almost makes Coward lose the veneer of British civility.

Darren’s confrontation with Coward may be Archibald’s attempt to give this slender piece a plot, but it strikes a discordant note. Director Dan Futterman can’t quite make Darren’s intrusion feel as if it fits, but he moves the two men about the cramped stage with a natural flow.

In this short piece, Archibald has created a brief scene and a likable impersonation, but he hasn’t quite taken them anywhere. Archibald’s Coward has some appeal, but I’m not mad about the play.

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* “Private Life,” Hudson Guild Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Thursdays through Saturdays, 8 p.m. Sundays, 7 p.m. $20. (310) 289-2999. Running time: 1 hour, 10 minutes.