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Mix some good, old-fashioned man-to-man (and man-to-woman) brawling, rapid-fire insults and slapstick comedy, and you’ll generally end up with the makings of a Marx Brothers movie.

But for British playwright Noël Coward, these same elements work just as well in portraying true love — not the cleaned-up, fairy tale version, but the witty, nitty-gritty carousel of volatile passion.

At the Lantern Theater Company’s production of Private Lives, cutting jibes and captivating costumes transport the audience to an alluringly scandalous era, where laughter (and brandy) are never in short supply.

In the midst of their honeymoons to newly reliable, completely unmysterious partners, the five-years-divorced Elyot and Amanda are booked into neighboring hotel rooms. While facing the prospect of settling down with their new spouses, Elyot and Amanda come face-to-face with each other, all to the accompaniment of delightfully sappy Noël Coward music.

The confrontation that follows is much less sappy, and infinitely more delightful.

Private Lives, which debuted in 1930 London, offers modern audiences the chance to draw up a chair in sophisticated society, all while learning to sit back and laugh at life’s pretensions.

Tickets are available online.

Private Lives
When: Now-December 31 Extended through January 8
Where: Lantern Theater Company, 10th and Ludlow Streets
Cost: Tickets range from $20-$36
More info: www.lanterntheater.org