BMDS: Present Laughter

PRESENT LAUGHTER by Noel Coward 10th - 20th September 2008 Directed by Jane McCulloch Produced by Helen Larzleer Set in 1939 , war is just around the corner – so a feeling of change is in the air. The action revolves around Garry Essendine (Noel Coward is laughing at himself in this role) who is extremely attractive, but demandingly selfish and self-obsessed actor - a matinee idol with attitude! Garry is about to reach his 40th birthday and like Peter Pan is refusing to grow up. As if to prove the point, he behaves unwisely and the consequences of his actions are both hilarious and complicated - until finally there is an unexpected resolution. We are delighted to be welcoming back professional UK director, Jane McCulloch. Jane is a long-time friend of BMDS and has directed many critically acclaimed productions here including The Magic key, The Cherry Orchard, The Deep Blue sea, Loves Labour's Lost and Hay Fever. "Present Laughter" was revived at the National Theatre in London in late 2007 to much delight. "A marvel of comic brio and panache" said The Independent. "A string of one liners running to a set of comic pearls" The Daily Mail. And."Decidedly funny" said The Times. Jane started the English Chamber Theatre (ECT) in 1985, and has since been the Artistic Director. Dame Judi Dench is the President. Jane has created, and directed, over 30 new works for ECT - full scale plays and literary entertainments, all with small casts and all demanding virtuosi acting. Because of this, many of the great names in British theatre have performed in ECT shows, including Sir Derek Jacobi, Dame Judi Dench, James Bolam, Patricia Hodge, Robert Hardy, Jane Lapotaire, Sir Donald Sinden, Jane Asher, and the late Dame Dorothy Tutin.