In their final production for 2025, New Theatre presents Noël Coward’s fast and furious funny farce, Present Laughter for a limited season from 11 November to 13 December.
Actor Garry Essendine is possibly the most desired man in the world. He is handsome, charming, self-deprecating, self-obsessed, and in the midst of a mid-life crisis.
Over the course of a few days, on the eve of an overseas tour, he finds his life bombarded by the conflicting desires of others.
As an obsessed fan, a starlet, an aspiring playwright and a stage mother cause chaos, it is the efforts of his not-quite-ex-wife, his manager and his long-suffering secretary that may finally save the day.
Helmed by Artistic Director Louise Fischer, the ensemble cast features Lib Campbell (The Spook), Harrison Collis Oates (Dangerous Liaisons), Peter Eyers (Privates on Parade, Harvest, The Real Thing, Australia Day), Molly Haddon (Sunset Strip), Oliver Harcourt-Ham (Shakespeare in Love) and Michela Noonan (Off the Record).
Present Laughter also features Reuben Solomon (Homos; Or Everyone in America, The Front Page, Hangmen), Larissa Turton (The Frogs: In Hell They Sing Show Tunes), Luke Visentin (The Vibrator Play, Hir, Control, and Atlantis), Emily Weare (The Real Thing, August: Osage County, Angry Fags, Ink), and making their New Theatre debuts: Liz Grindley and Holly Mazzola.
“This play called to us, not only because it offers brilliant and acerbic comedy, but because it gives us a chance to examine what happens when people exist in a state of consistently craving and seeking approval. This is something we observe in our own lives day-to-day, and it is impossible to ignore the impacts of this in our society as a whole,” says director Louise Fischer.
“Coward’s work continues to delight audiences, as the wit and reflection on human nature is still searingly relevant – and as he said himself There will always be a few people… in every generation who will find my work entertaining and true.”
Complete with excruciating misunderstandings, toe-curling narrow escapes and high camp double-entendres, Present Laughter is Noël Coward at his absolute best.
Director: Louise Fischer | Featuring: Lib Campbell, Harrison Collis Oates, Peter Eyers, Liz Grindley, Molly Haddon, Oliver Harcourt-Ham, Holly Mazzola, Michela Noonan, Reuben Solomon, Larissa Turton, Luke Visentin, Emily Weare | Assistant Director: Chad Traupmann | Set Designer: Tom Bannerman | Set Supervisor: Barry French | Lighting/Sound Designer: Michael Schell | Co-Costume Designers: Deborah Mulhall, Helen Kohlhagen | Stage Manager: Rosane McNamara | Assistant Stage Manager: Thomas O’Meara | Intimacy Director: Megan Wray | Dialect Coach: Helen Tonkin
Present Laughter
New Theatre, 542 King Street, Newtown
Season: 13 November – 13 December 2025 (previews: 11 & 12 November)
Information and Bookings: www.newtheatre.org.au