Present Laughter

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Present Laughter

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  6w, 5m

Noël Coward

Coward's richly comic play about world-weary dilettante Garry Essendine, published to coincide with the National Theatre's production, which opened September 2007.

Image: 2017 Broadway Production (Joan Marcus)

Present Laughter

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    6w, 5m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Farce, Period
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Senior
Accolades
Accolades

  • Nominee! 2017 Tony Award for Best Play Revival
    Nominee: 2020 Olivier Award for Best Revival of a Play

Present Laughter

Details

Summary
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. 
History
Present Laughter premiered while on European tour in Blackpool in September 1942. It then premiered on Broadway at the Plymouth Theatre in October 1946 under the direction of John C. Wilson.

Keywords
Performing Groups
  • Time Period 1940s/WWII
  • Setting Garry Essendine’s studio in London.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“Sharp, withering and funny.” – The New York Times

“If you don’t understand why Coward is hailed as a genius... here’s your proof.” – The Telegraph

“Sharpness and wit... in each succeeding act.” – New York Post

“As in Design for Living... Coward is writing about a bohemian world threatened by invasion from outsiders.” – The Guardian

Photos

  • Present Laughter

    Image: 2017 Broadway Production (Joan Marcus)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.
    This title may have restrictions in place for London based productions. Please submit a licence request to confirm specific availability.

Scripts

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Authors

Noël Coward

Noël Coward

Noël Peirce Coward was born in 1899 and made his professional stage debut as Prince Mussel in The Goldfish at the age of 12, leading to many child actor appearances over the next few years. His breakthrough in playwriting was the controversial The Vortex (1924), which feature ...

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