Present Laughter
Writer: Noel Coward
Director: Louise Fischer
New Theatre, Newtown
November 11 – December 13, 2025
New Theatre’s production of Noel Coward’s Present Laughter is a delightful night of theatre. The presentation is notably beautiful. The set by Tom Bannerman is a symphony of lovely turquoise, gold and oatmeal in art deco style, and the costuming by Deborah Mulhall and Helen Kohlhagen is exceptionally elegant, in the style of the period and character-appropriate.
Coward, at the peak of his success as a playwright, based the play on his life at the time. The principal character, actor Garry Essendine (Peter Eyers), is looking forward to his forthcoming tour of Africa, but at the same time is contemplating his mid-life status, having just turned 40. What should be a quiet time, however, is shattered by the results of his success as he is besieged at breath-taking speed by female fans, an obsessive young playwright, his almost ex-wife and various associates, all with their own agenda. His long-standing and long-suffering secretary, Monica (Emily Weare) has her work cut out protecting him from their various schemes, and it makes for a lot of fun as hairbreadth encounters are deftly avoided by her skillful manoeuvring.
Director Louise Fischer has gifted her actors tremendous opportunities for their own star turns, giving them free rein to create well-rounded characters. It’s obvious they relish delivering the witty dialogue too. Garry (Peter Eyers) comes across as slightly dazed and world-weary; Daphne (Larissa Turton), the female fan who “forgets her latch key” in the hope of staying over, is the enthusiastic ingenue actress with a high-volume delivery; Joanna (Lib Campbell), who is similarly forgetful, is a delicious vamp with crystal-clear diction; Weare as Garry’s secretary is wry and world-wise with great comedic timing; Roland (Luke Visentin) is simply hilarious as the nerdy, pushy wannabe playwright; Liz (Molly Haddon), Garry’s almost ex-wife, is calmer, grounded and appears to be contemplating the status of their marriage. There are good supporting performances also from Oliver Harcourt-Ham as Fred the butler, Reuben Solomon as Garry’s manager, and Michela Noonan as Hetty.
A delightful piece of visual humour is provided by Miss Hamilton (Liz Grindley) as the doddering, arthritic housekeeper who wanders through the set occasionally, allowing Garry a few moments of peace as they exchange pleasantries, drinks and cigarettes.
Vintage theatre it may be, but the universal fun and comedy the play delivers is never out of style. Congratulations to the stellar cast and crew – well done all!
