National Theatre Live: Present Laughter

Present Laughter
by Noël Coward

Matthew Warchus directs Andrew Scott (BBC’s Sherlock, Fleabag) in Noël Coward’s provocative comedy Present Laughter.

As he prepares to embark on an overseas tour, star actor Garry Essendine’s colourful life is in danger of spiralling out of control. Engulfed by an escalating identity crisis as his many and various relationships compete for his attention, Garry’s few remaining days at home are a chaotic whirlwind of love, sex, panic and soul-searching.

Captured live from The Old Vic in London, Present Laughter is a giddy and surprisingly modern reflection on fame, desire and loneliness.

Please note that Present Laughter will not be a live broadcast. The show will have been filmed in front of a live audience.

Click HERE to download the cast sheet

★★★★★ ‘Andrew Scott’s revelatory performance shows why Noël Coward is hailed a genius’ Telegraph

★★★★★  ‘Andrew Scott is wondrous in this revelatory refresh of Noël Coward’s classic comedy’ Time Out

★★★★★ ‘The show belongs to Scott’ The Times

★★★★★ ‘illuminating and luminously funny’ WhatsOnStage

★★★★★ ‘A treat of a production: a timely depiction of the hollow nature of fame led by a virtuoso yet beautifully nuanced performance’ Financial Times

★★★★ ‘Andrew Scott dazzles in Coward’s enduring classic comedy’ Guardian

★★★★ ‘Andrew Scott shines in glorious, revelatory production… Terrific fun’ Independent

★★★★ ‘slick, witty and unexpectedly tender… A huge amount of fun’ The Stage

Running time: Approx. 3 hours, including interval.