Samuel West, who many will know from his role as Frank in TV’s Mr Selfridge, positively sparkles in the lead role of philandering actor Garry Essendine in this hilarious Noel Coward play. Another popular TV drama star – Phyllis Logan who played Mrs Hughes in Downton Abbey – is superbly sarcastic as his long suffering secretary.
The story is about Essendine’s appeal to young women and the intrigues amongst his entourage which includes his estranged but supportive wife Liz (played by Rebecca Johnson), Henry (whose beautiful young wife Joanna (played with cool, cutting skill by beautiful Zoe Boyle) falls under Essendine’s spell and Morris who is caught in a secret love triangle.
It takes a while for the characters and story to be established during the first half although almost every fast line uttered is crisp and witty. There were plenty of laughs – particularly as West hams it up in a fabulous send up of a self-absorbed actor who feigns the burden of fame. But it is in the second half where the play really comes into its own and it is almost non-stop laughter as the various strands of the farce interweave, unfold and repeat.
But as well as really solid performances by the lead characters, there are a host of cracking turns from the rest of the cast. Daisy Boulton does brilliantly as naïve and star-struck young Daphne Stillington, Patrick Walshe McBride is mesmerising as a mad young fan and there are strong reminders of Mrs O from Acorn Antiques in Sally Tatum who plays the chain-smoking maid Miss Erikson. Even Martin Hancock as Fred the valet stamps his mark on the role.
The stage is set as Essendine’s house. With a spiral staircase up to his room, book-lined shelves and a grand piano in a large room it captures perfectly the behind-the-scenes life of a successful actor in a bygone era.
Present Laughter is at Richmond Theatre for the rest of the week. I urge you to go along to enjoy the mirth and share in the laughs.
http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/present-laughter/richmond-theatre/#overview_tab
