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Present Laughter
Malvern Theatres
**** NOEL Coward once described this comedy as
"a series of semi-autobiographical pyrotechnics" and even starred in the
lead role of actor Garry Essendine in the original run in 1942. You can almost see Coward in the role as this
fine version from director Stephen Unwin, who founded English Touring
Theatre, has stayed very true to the original with some impeccable
casting decisions. Samuel West (Mr Selfridge, Howards End) is
excellent as Garry, making easy work of the wordy Coward dialogue and
really hamming it up when necessary to get the most out of this farce. He makes Garry wonderfully likeable despite being
spoiled, sulky and self-obsessed. With Timothy West and Prunella Scales
as parents, he's maintaining the family's reputation for fine acting. The play revolves around several days in
Essendine's household as the actor copes with the amorous attentions of
several women and a man who are in love with him to the annoyance of his
long-suffering secretary Monica and his estranged wife Liz. A grand set recreates the lavish, decadent
townhouse of the actor in fashionable Sloane London with cocktail
glasses at the ready and a cigarette box that all the characters all
help themselves to like chain smokers, but this is supposed to be the
1930s. A strong cast includes Phyllis Logan (Mrs Hughes
in Downton Abbey) as Garry's sharp-witted secretary, who has many of the
funniest lines, and Rebecca Johnson as the calm, supportive ex-wife. All the players stand out in their own way
though, particularly the hilarious servants with Martin Hancock as valet
Fred and Sally Tatum as zany Swedish maid Miss Erikson both playing it
for laughs - and getting many. In a cleverly weaved, satisfying storyline that
has a nice tidy ending, Present Laughter is a sophisticated comedy that
you won't want to miss. To 20-08-16. Alison Brinkworth 15-08-16
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