A Champagne Toast to Broadway: Rose Byrne and Kelli O’Hara Command the Stage
Broadway is buzzing with the return of a hidden gem. Fallen Angels, the lustful comedy by the legendary Noël Coward, has finally made a triumphant return to the New York stage. In a production that sparkles with the energy of a chilled glass of champagne, the revival proves that some desires—and some jokes—are timeless.
While the play first premiered in London in 1925 and saw very few Broadway appearances, this latest staging at the Todd Haimes Theatre breathes new life into Coward’s provocative script. The secret ingredient? The electrifying chemistry between Rose Byrne and stage veteran Kelli O’Hara.
A Plot of Desire and Drunkenness
Described as a sort of “proto-Godot,” Fallen Angels centers on two high-society women who spend their days drinking themselves into a stupor while waiting for a former lover to arrive. Set against the backdrop of their husbands’ absence, the play explores the raw, often hidden hunger for passion within the confines of bourgeois marriage.
The story kicks off with Julia (O’Hara) feeling an inexplicable sense of dread on the day her husband departs for a golf trip. The tension escalates when her friend Jane, played by the captivating Rose Byrne, arrives with a postcard from a handsome playboy from their past. What follows is a hilarious, high-stakes descent into longing, boredom, and plenty of booze.
The Powerhouse Pairing: Byrne and O’Hara
The magic of this production lies in the unexpected pairing of its leads. Rose Byrne, an Oscar-nominated talent known for her versatility, brings a wonderful bawdiness to the role of Jane. After a brief period of settling in, Byrne fully embraces the character’s chaotic energy, delivering lines with a haughty, intoxicated precision that is purely magnetic.
Complementing her is Kelli O’Hara, whose natural gentility and surprising capacity for physical comedy provide the perfect foil. Together, they navigate Coward’s witty dialogue with ease, transforming a century-old play into something that feels startlingly modern and relentlessly funny.
Exquisite Design and Timeless Wit
Beyond the acting, the production is a visual feast. The Art Deco set designed by David Rockwell is lavish enough to earn applause the moment the curtain rises. Coupled with Jeff Mahshie’s exquisite costumes and striking wigs, the atmosphere perfectly captures the opulent yet suffocating world of the early 20th-century elite.
Why this revival works:
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- Faithful Direction: Scott Ellis avoids the trap of forcing contemporary politics into the script, allowing the play’s inherent progressive streak to shine naturally.
- Dynamic Casting: The contrast between Byrne’s unpredictability and O’Hara’s poise creates a compelling rhythmic tension.
- Sharp Writing: Noël Coward’s signature bon mots remain as sharp and biting as ever.
Final Verdict
Whether you are a fan of classic theater or a follower of Rose Byrne’s impressive career—from her recent Oscar buzz in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You to her cinematic hits—this production is a must-see. Fallen Angels is a reminder that the human urge for excitement and connection never goes out of style. It is a bold, horny, and sophisticated comedy that leaves the audience feeling intoxicated by its brilliance.
