Present Laughter a comedy written by Noel Coward in 1939 but wasn't performed until 1942 due to the outbreak of World War II. The title is from a song in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night: "present mirth hath present laughter." It is centred around a few days in the life of possibly arrogant comedic actor, Gary Essendine (Andrew Scott) who is visited by many people at his flat. Including Daphne (Kitty Archer) who claims to have stayed in the spare room overnight as she lost her latch key. Oft repeated several times during the play. She claims to love him, but is also after a part alongside him in a play. As well as visits from his wife, Liz (Indira Verma) as she tries to also juggle his 'conquests' with tongue-in-cheek innuendos. As well as his pot-upon secretary, Moira (Sophie Thompson) who read a few letters from fans and others, surrounded by a trolley full of mail, thrown around by Gary towards the end as it all comes to a head.
He's preparing to travel to Africa and in the midst of the chaos, the door bell never stops ringing, pursued by an errant 'fan' and playwright Roland Maule (Luke Thallon) (whose name must've been intentional) who is in love with him having watched him 47 times. Gary tells him to go away, write twenty plays and stage the twenty-first one. Women want to seduce him, as does Joe (Enzo Cilenti) who gets his way. After claiming he doesn't have feelings for Morris. As Morris (Abdul Sallis) and Helen (Susie Toase) look for a theatre to stage one of Gary's plays. As he doesn't want the venues they suggest. All this and coping with an impending mid-life crisis as he's just turned 40 (thought that came at 50!) Age being mentioned a few times here too.
Finally it all gets too much for Gary and after much boozing, everyone farcically decides they will accompany him to Africa too, Gary loses it and tells everyone to get out. Suffering a panic attack as Liz tells him she's coming back to him! Appears Noel Coward may have been a little obsessed with seances and mediums as they're mentioned here and also he wrote the play Blythe Spirit (1941). Made into a film in 1945 with Rex Harrison and Margaret Rutherford.
This is a thoroughly modern production, but still retaining the time period with it's art deco set was exceptionally funny and thrilling to watch. As Gary said, he's surrounded by "intrigue!" Seems all they did was make money from him as an actor. Never being able to tell if he was still acting or being serious, as the mask didn't drop that often. Due to the audiences of the day back then and laws against homosexuality, Joe as he was named here was played by a man, but the character was named Joanna back then. As were most of the characters who would have been marvellously portrayed as gay.
Andrew once again excelled in his performance, not only funny but vulnerable at times. As he realizes who his friends are at one point when he's left alone and asks Monica to stay to keep him company, but she rushed off home. Even striking up a conversation with the hired help, who obliges in return for a cigarette. Lavish costumes and exuberant at times, especially with Gary's pyjamas, as he later finally wears bow tie and tux, as well as suave slacks and sunglasses to gasps by the audience. Great production.
Last year Andrew played in Sea Wall here and I said to him this year, see him same place, same time next year!
Another must-see production - runs until 10th August at the Old Vic!
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