THEATRE
by Noel Coward
by National Theatre at Home (2019 production)
Online with subscription or to rent:www.ntathome.com/videos/present-laughter-full-play
Reviewer: Kate Herbert.
Stars: **** (4)
This review is published only on this blog. I’ll
present a radio review on Arts Weekly on 3MBS on Sat 19 April 2025. KH
Andrew
Scott, in Present Laughter- -image supplied
Noël Coward’s Present Laughter receives a vibrant, sharply staged revival in this National Theatre at Home production, with Andrew Scott delivering a magnetic, multi-layered performance as the egotistical actor Garry Essendine. It's a lively, stylised take that revels in Coward’s wit, though not all its modern touches fully pay off.
Scott is in blistering form — flamboyant, funny, and unexpectedly fragile. His Garry is theatrical to the bone, but never merely cartoonish. Beneath the extravagant posturing lies a man teetering on the edge of crisis, and Scott mines that with precision and charm. The counterpoint to Gary’s histrionic, actorly behaviour is his deep-seated despair and dissatisfaction with his shallow life; he feels like a lost boy – nothing more than a shell which is achingly represented in the final moments of the play.
The production’s decision to reimagine some of Garry’s romantic entanglements as male rather than female introduces a fresh, fluid sexuality into the narrative, which feels natural given Coward’s own life. However, at times it feels like the play is straining to retrofit this queerness into a structure that wasn’t quite built for it — interesting, but not always seamless.
Sophie Thompson is a scene-stealing delight as Garry’s fretful secretary Monica, delivering deadpan quips with perfect timing. Indira Varma exudes effortless charisma as Garry’s ex-wife Liz, bringing a grounded wit to balance the surrounding chaos. Luke Thallon also impresses as the unnervingly intense Roland Maule, and Enzo Cilenti adds a slick, smarmy edge as Joe, one of Garry’s reimagined lovers.
If the farcical energy occasionally boils over into shouty hysteria — particularly in the final act — it feels more jarring on screen than it might in a theatre. The high-pitched chaos can undercut some of the more subtle character work and emotional beats.
Still, under Matthew Warchus’s direction, this is a smart, stylish production with a standout ensemble and a tour-de-force from Scott. It’s funny, fresh, and full of flair — even if not every note quite rings true.
By: Kate Herbert.
Cast
Sophie Thompson - Monica
Indira Varma - Liz
Luke Thallon - Roland Maule
Enzo Cilenti – Joe
Creative Team
Matthew Warchus -Director
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| Present Laughter- Andrew Scott, Indira Varma-image supplied |
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