Fallen Angels: Noel Coward at his silliest

“Fallen Angels” is a really early work of Noel Coward; he was 24 in 1925 when he had four plays playing concurrently on the London stage.
“Fallen Angels” was one of them. He broached subjects that were considered spicy, scandalous and off limits for the times. “Fallen Angels” was presented as a sexy comical farce.  His maturity shows in later productions of “Private Lives” and “Blithe Spirit,” which are more subtle with a more creative comedy touch.
This is a story of two upper-class best gal friends who are bored with their husbands and marriages of about five years. They receive word that an old French flame that they both had an affair with in Paris before they married is coming in town from Paris to see them. They become over the top with anticipation and the possible hope of reliving their past indiscretions. Their husbands happily, in total unawareness, go off on a golfing trip and leave their two wives with wild thoughts, lots of champagne and an accommodating maid who seems to know all and has been everywhere. They both get totally smashed, bring up ideas that should not be brought up and with excellent timing bring a titillating comedy to life.
The cast is made up of mostly TheatreWorks super pros, but, other than Tory Ross as the all knowing maid who steals every scene she conveniently appears in, fall a little short and don’t quite reach the comedic peak they were striving for.
J.B. Wilson’s set is gorgeous and fits with the baby grand piano grandeur. Fumiko Bielefeldt dresses the gals beautifully within the times. Lighting by Steven B. Mannshardt and sound by Cliff Caruthers are on perfect mark.
 If you are a Noel Coward fan you will enjoy this production with all its little pitfalls.
“Fallen Angels”
Where: Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts
500 Castro St., Mountain View
Through: June 28
Running time: Two hours with one intermission
Tickets: $19-$74
Reservations and information: (650) 463-1960 or visit www.theatreworks.org.