Present Laughter

by Noël Coward

directed by Shawn Peart and Clare Lawrance

"What is love? 'Tis not hereafter. Present mirth hath present laughter. What’s to come is still unsure. In delay there lies no plenty. Then come kiss me, sweet and twenty. Youth’s a stuff will not endure". Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare

Present Laughter follows The stylish but complicated love life of Garry Essendine - a Cowardesque semi-autobiographical leading man - and friends. He prepares to leave England to tour Africa while struggling to come to terms with his advancing years and receding hairline, and finds himself being mercilessly organised, cajoled, criticised and pursued not just by the many women in his life, but by a singularly bad playwright with aspirations beyond his ability.

Add to this a particularly sticky affair with his best friend’s wife (who his other best friend happens to be in love with) and we find Coward at his glorious best.