Present Laughter
At the centre of his own universe sits matinee idol Garry Essendine: suave, hedonistic and too old, says his wife, to be having numerous affairs. His line in harmless, infatuated debutantes is largely tolerated but playing closer to home is not. Just before he escapes on tour to Africa the full extent of his misdemeanours is discovered. And all hell breaks loose.
Noel Coward's Present Laughter premiered in the early years of the Second World War just as such privileged lives were threatened with fundamental social change.
Recent Productions
The Old Vic starring Andrew Scott
17 June - 10 August 2019
The Guardian Review: Andrew Scott dazzles in Coward's classic comedy
On Broadway with Kevin Kline
10 March - 2 July, 2017
The New York Times Review: Kevin Kline Serves Ham in Soignée Silk in ‘Present Laughter’
Reviews
Realised with panache and a rich sense of mischief
Evening Standard
A treat of a production: a timely depiction of the hollow nature of fame led by a virtuoso yet beautifully nuanced performance that reminds us that this play’s original title was Sweet Sorrow
Financial Times
Andrew Scott dazzles in Coward's enduring classic comedy
The Guardian
Andrew Scott shines in glorious, revelatory production
The Independent
Matthew Warchus’ slick, witty and unexpectedly tender production
The Stage
Something remarkable has now happened at The Old Vic
The Telegraph
Andrew Scott is wondrous in this revelatory refresh of Noël Coward’s classic comedy
Time Out
The set by Rob Howell is an art-deco joy
The Times
Matthew Warchus’ illuminating and luminously funny new production
WhatsOnStage