Review
This was an enjoyable and excellent production. Present Laughter is an unashamed study of effervescent comedy written by Noel Coward at the peak of his mature fame in 1939, written “with the sensible object of providing me with a bravura part". Now, seventy years later, this comedy is still being produced yearly to packed houses with Garry Essendine played by leading actors of the day. On this occasion, Humphrey Waterhouse was Garry and he maintained the traditions of those before him, with expressions and postures worthy of Coward. A flawless performance, that was more than adequately supported by a superb cast.
The action of the play takes place in Garry Essendine's studio in 1947 London. The set designed by Julian Vince was really great, beautifully painted, furnished to create the atmosphere of the period. The cast conveyed that they were a family of friends who accepted the vanity, charm and ego of Garry, not only out of financial gain but out of loyalty. The expressions, the movements and the speech of each individual conveyed their character and acceptance of the situation.
Congratulations to the whole cast, director, producer and the production team who can put on an excellent performance in our hall, with its small stage, worthy of a West End production. I am now looking forward to the pantomime in February and although not singling out any individual above the others, I am wondering what amusing part Aidan Godwin will land! His humour is a natural, and I wanted to giggle each time he appeared.
Jack Wood
Summary
Noel Coward's semi-autobiographical comedy masterpiece, directed by Bernard Godwin. The plot follows a few days in the life of the successful and self-obsessed actor Garry Essendine as he prepares to travel for a touring commitment in Africa. Amid a series of events bordering on farce, Garry has to deal with women who want to seduce him, placate both his long-suffering secretary and his estranged wife, cope with a crazed young playwright, and overcome his fear of his own approaching fortieth birthday and, by implication, his impending mid-life crisis. The story was described by Coward as "a series of semi-autobiographical pyrotechnics". Written in 1939 and judged by many to be his most humorous, Coward’s play is about a man reaching middle age and, in an effort to deny the advancing years he “indulges in rampant womanising”. Not quite Coward’s style, given his sexual preferences, but it makes great comic theatre in its wittily exaggerated account of the lives of the rich and famous whose privileged lifestyles don’t stop them behaving badly.
The show dates were 12th to 14th November 2009..
Cast
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| Daphne Stillington |
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Philippa Michel-Finch
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| Miss Erikson |
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Lucy Comlay |
| Fred |
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Guy Johnson |
| Monica Reed |
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Rosanne Wickes |
| Garry Essendine |
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Humphrey Waterhouse |
| Liz Essendine |
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Kirstie Negus |
| Roland Maule |
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Aidan Godwin
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| Henry Lyppiatt |
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Jonathan Murray |
| Morris Dixon |
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Nigel Gray |
| Joanna Lyppiatt |
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Natalie Charles |
| Lady Saltburn |
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Sian Kenyon |
Crew
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| Director |
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Bernard Godwin |
| Producer |
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Jane Cooper |
| Stage Manager |
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Dan Hewitt |
| Lighting & Sound |
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Sebastien Matthews |
| Publicity |
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Pat Wilson |
Photos (click to enlarge)
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