Present Laughter

Geri Essendine is a hugely successful actress (who has been 39 for the best part of a decade). Her personality, wit and charm have earned her a legion of devoted fans, and a coterie of friends, acquaintances and hangers-on. Just as she is about to depart for a tour of Australia, Geri finds herself besieged by a bevy of would-be lovers, not to mention her long-suffering secretary, estranged husband and an obsessed young playwright. Will she ever disentangle herself from their tightening clutches and incessant demands? And deep down, does she really want to...?

Tracy-Ann Oberman – known to millions from roles in EastEnders, Doctor Who and Friday Night Dinner – stars as Geri Essendine in this new production of Noël Coward’s celebrated and hilarious portrayal of the temptations and pitfalls of theatrical celebrity, returning to the stage following her highly acclaimed performance in The Merchant of Venice 1936. James Dreyfus is well-loved for his TV roles in Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, The Thin Blue Line and Mount Pleasant. Adrian Lukis’s screen credits include Pride and Prejudice, The Crown, Judge John Deed and in theatre, Being Mr Wickham which he co-wrote and has performed in London, New York, and on tour. Lindsay Posner directs.