Review - Present Laughter at the Festival Theatre, Malvern (until Saturday)

TAKE a bow Simon Callow (Gary Essendine). In fact - take several bows because they are so well deserved.

He is, and this is, an absolute delight - just the right tonic to welcome in spring with the Equinox occuring shortly before the cast went on stage.

And how well everyone else on board complemented his assured style and delivery.

This is in every essence classic Coward - full of fun and witty reposte and though opening night attracted largely a grey-topped audience it would still appeal to younger theatre-goers as it has travelled through time exceptionally well.

Coward admitted he wrote this comedy as a vehicle for his own talent - and how talented he was. An exceptional comedy.

It's flamboyant, fun, taking a little poke and a side-swipe at life treading the boards.

Fine performances too from Tilly Tremayne (Monica) and Jessica Turner (Liz Essendine). AJW