Type – Comedy, Revival, Panto-esque
If you liked – Private Lives, anything by Oscar Wilde or Alan Bennett, Noises Off, The Play That Goes Wrong
Present Laughter: A Charming and Hilarious Revival of Coward’s Wit
There’s a certain pleasure in seeing a Noӫl Coward play performed not on a grand stage but in a smaller, more intimate theatre like the New Theatre in Newtown. The quicksilver dialogue and brittle charm are delivered without mics and the actors are close enough to touch. This local production of Present Laughter captures that spirit beautifully, giving us a lively and affectionate take on Coward’s semi-autobiographical comedy of ego, vanity, and male midlife crisis mischief. With a few tweaks in the relationship stakes to bring a sense of contemporary sensibilities to the character development, Louise Fischer and New Theatre have delivered us a hilarious grown-up panto for the Christmas season.
En Pointe Vocal Comedy
At its centre, Peter Eyers delivers a perfectly crafted Garry Essendine in a delightfully self-aware performance and is a joy to watch. He leans fully into the Coward-esque leading man. He has honed the posh drawl and the comic timing to a fine art. As Garry, he learns just enough about himself by the end to carry on as before – wiser perhaps, but still gloriously, incorrigibly theatrical.
Kudos to dialogue coach Helen Tonkin for all the actors’ vocal delivery: she must have watched every video of every Ealing Studios comedy known to humanity. They are all flamboyant without slipping into parody, managing to balance their various characters’ comic self-importance with faint airs of melancholy or outright irony. Emily Weare as Monica, Gary’s private secretary has marvellous sarcastic understatement, Molly Hadden as his “ex” wife is languid and gorgeous, and Lib Campbell as Joanna is expertly channelling every squeaky and throaty blonde bombshell from Jean Harlow to Jayne Mansfield. The whole supporting cast deserve praise for their timing and energy, particularly in the overlapping farce of the second act.
A Beautiful Melding of Elements
Fischer’s direction keeps the pace brisk and the tone buoyant, paying true tribute to the Coward style. Tom Bannerman’s set, though modest in scale, evokes West End art deco sophistication in midnight blues and gold frames for Coward’s deliciously mannered world. Deborah Mulhall’s and Helen Kohlhagen’s costumes – silk robes for Peter Eyres, gorgeous black and white and pastel evening dresses for the women, structured monochrome suits for the day – complete the picture of a faded glamour and locates the play well and truly in its time. Michael Schell’s lighting brings a warm nostalgic glow to the staging and his sound design is subtle but carries through the 1930s to 40s vibe.
While a few moments could benefit from sharper pacing, I’m sure this will improve as they warm into the run, the overall effect of this production is undeniably charming and laugh-out-loud hilarious. I loved this performance.
Is Present Laughter Worth Seeing in Sydney?
If you enjoy witty, English comedies of manners, this is the play for you. You can escape from our quotidian woes, immerse yourself in a time long past, and laugh at light, witty dialogue that also satirises human folly in a most delightful manner. This production doesn’t try to reinvent Coward – it honours him, and does so with intelligence, humour, and heart. It is a bright, witty revival that proves Coward’s laughter, one hundred years later, remains wonderfully present.
Tickets and Practical Info for Present Laughter in Sydney 🎟️
Until 13th December, 2025
Tickets: https://aunewtheatre.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/143748
New Theatre, Newtown
Cast: 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
Author: Noel Coward
Director: Louise Fischer
Assistant Director Chad Traupmann
Set Designer Tom Bannerman
Set Supervisor Barry French
Lighting/Sound Designer Michael Schell
Co-Costume Designer Deborah Mulhall
Co-Costume Designer Helen Kohlhagen
Stage Manager Rosane McNamara
Assistant Stage Manager Thomas O’Meara
Intimacy Director Megan Wray
Dialect Coach Helen Tonkin
