NOEL Coward's play Present Laughter was enjoyed immensely by the audience at Malvern Theatres this week, with even the set getting a laugh and a round of applause before the actors came on stage.
The play is about the clever, witty and devastatingly handsome actor Garry Essendine.
Possibly based on Coward himself, Essendine is played by actor Simon Callow, who is suitably theatrical and believable as a man whose life is one long performance.
Essendine is about to set off on a tour to Africa and the play is set in his apartment, a shrine to himself, where we meet his ex-wife and manager Liz, his lawyer, his secretary, his butler and a recent one-night stand.
The stage is set, literally, for clash of giant egos and lots of fun.
It's a farce in the best sense and the funniest parts are the predictable and anticipated reactions of the various characters to each other.
The performances from the cast were polished and faultless. I particularly liked Jessica Turner as Liz Essendine and Tilly Tremayne as Monica, Essendine's cynical secretary.
The play is showing tonight (Friday) and tomorrow at 8pm. Tickets cost £16-£24 from 01684 892277.
Sue Vickers
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