Present Laughter

Another visit to this wonderful theatre to see a classic Noel Coward play, the set was beautifully decorated and furnished. It seemed so spacious and had 5 doorways all within a small area. Cast moved smoothly all around the stage with no crowding or collisions. There were lots of props and all in the correct period.

Costumes, hair and make up were very good and very much appropriate to the date it looked so good on stage.

The play took us through a few days in the life of popular actor and prima donna, Garry Essendine played by Craig Norendal. Although he was hardly off-stage Craig delivered his long speeches faultlessly and he certainly must be congratulated for holding the cast together throughout the play. His comedy timing and expressions on stage were of the highest level and the energy he showed was amazing. A very hard part to do but it was well executed.

Poppy Rowan took on the role as his ex-wife Liz Essendine, Garry’s long suffering wife with ease always trying to smooth out all the complications in Garry’s life. A confident performance which had the audience fascinated how she will cope with all of Garry’s drama’s.

The play opened up with the very flamboyant character Danny Stillington played by Alex Mooney, on forgetting his latch key he stayed the night in the spare room and in the morning he was wearing Garry’s pyjama’s, his movement on stage had the whole audience in fits of laughter, he was so funny I could have watched him all night.

Miss Erickson played by Jo Murray was an eccentric Swedish housekeeper and made the audience laugh before she even spoke, the way she strutted around the stage and peeping through the door were hilarious. Jo also played Lady Saltburn the total opposite of Miss Erickson and she really nailed the part, it’s hard playing two parts, but you would never have known it was the same person so well done Jo.

Then along came Monica Reed played by the wonderful Sarah Waters, Garry’s secretary, efficiently played conveying the sense of a kindergarten teacher dealing with a spoilt child and what a wonderful job she did, staying in character and delivering her lines with a straight face which is hard to do when there are so many funny lines going on around you, this part was executed very well.

There were good performances from Benny Amato playing Fred the ship’s steward turned butler and from Jonny Clark and Maximillian Troy Tyler as Henry and Morris both having a bit of humour and working very well together.

Along came Roland Maule played by Charlie Raine who was hilarious, providing extra chaos whilst remaining somehow endearing.

Lastly Joanna Lyppiat played by Jayden Malabre, was so convincing seducing Garry, her slow well delivered dialogue was so good, Jayden just seemed to glide across the stage and played the part with true conviction.

This was a very entertaining play with a lot of humour, you all played your parts so well, but I will give Craig Norendal another shout out as you really nailed this part.

As I always say you can have the best actors on stage, but they must be in the right parts so a really big well done to Jack Lester and Poppy Rowan who directed this play, your attention to detail was of the highest level. The movement in the background by characters was excellent, there was never a dull moment on stage, and we could all see the hard work the pair of you must have put into this it was awesome.

Once again well done to everybody involved you all put on a wonderful show.

 

Jim Morgan

 

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