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Fallen Angels Revival: O’Hara and Byrne Shine in Delightful Comedy

4/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of Noël Coward's 1925 Fallen Angels stars Kelli O’Hara and Rose Byrne as two friends rekindling past romances while their husbands are away.
Critics note a slow start but praise the chemistry between O’Hara and Byrne, especially during their drunken antics.
Set design and costumes draw praise, and overall the revival is a delightful, though uneven, exploration of suppressed lust and societal expectations.

History

Historical Context

F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," published in April 1925, captures the complexities of the Jazz Age, reflecting societal expectations and the pursuit of the American Dream through characters like Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan. The novel's themes resonate with contemporary audiences, paralleling the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of Noël Coward's "Fallen Angels," which also explores suppressed desires amid societal constraints.

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Story summary

The Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of Noël Coward's 1925 Fallen Angels stars Kelli O’Hara and Rose Byrne as two friends rekindling past romances while their husbands are away.
Critics note a slow start but praise the chemistry between O’Hara and Byrne, especially during their drunken antics.
Set design and costumes draw praise, and overall the revival is a delightful, though uneven, exploration of suppressed lust and societal expectations.

1 / 2