Present Laughter by Noel Coward, Exeter Northcott Theatre until 01 February 2025,

5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: Cormac Richards.

“Skilful, stylish and very funny.”

Light, frivolous and entertaining, ‘Present Laughter’ certainly is, but there is a deeper tone in Noel Coward’s autobiographical play which speaks of the insecurities borne by the rich and famous. “Have any of us got what we want?” says Garry Essendine, the central figure in the story.

Tackling Coward is not something to be undertaken lightly, this play is particularly wordy in the first half which sets up some of the farcical elements in the second; productions are prone to drag if not attacked from the off.

Exeter University Theatre Company (EUTCO) scored an immense hit in 2024 with their production of Moira Buffini’s ‘Dinner’, following this with something completely different provides breadth to their repertoire.

A beautifully simple, uncluttered set with a classy look, offers space for the actors to move wonderfully freely; well designed and considered – doorways with no doors assist immensely in creating flow. Coward’s world of the 1930s is one where style is in abundance and this is well provided here with some exquisite costuming and suitable props.

The language though is the key to Coward, drenched in wit and wisdom, in sharp-tongued put-downs and acidic asides – get these right and you are heading for success. To witness a group of students tackle this play and get it so right is an utter joy. And yes, this is another triumph for the EUTCO.

Standing tall and dominating proceedings (not least with a splendid portrait hanging on the wall) is Seb Tapp whose energetic, very funny and wonderfully camp portrayal of the actor Essendine is truly excellent. He gets through his lines like an express train, yet every word can be heard, such is the clarity of his diction. But this isn’t just superficial; abandoned by his friends and acquaintances he crumples “I’m nothing but a husk – an empty shell..” he bemoans. Tapp visibly and audibly changes; the bravado is gone, the mask is removed from the self-centred Garry. It is suddenly very moving. A seriously good performance.

Isabella Maunder is wonderfully poised and elegant as his estranged wife, Liz. She has great presence and style and is beautifully costumed; an assured and faultless performance. The role of Garry’s secretary, Monica, is one of the best Coward wrote and Sasha Hawksworth is tremendous in it; full of understanding, control and tolerance, but also with the subtext of a deep unrequited love for her boss. Another skilful and talented piece of acting.

Another favoured role is that of the ardent fan Roland Maule, obsessed with Essendine and needing to feed off his talent, in it Alex Webb gives a comedy masterclass. Creating laughter just by the way he sits and the way he (virtually) clings to Garry, this is hero-worship, bordering on sexual attraction – the discovery of a white handkerchief and the holding it to his nose is an ‘off-camera’ moment of sublimity. This is an actor with comedy bones!

Niall O’Mara is excellent as the happy-go-lucky valet, Fred and, along with Sophie Campbell as the very quirky housekeeper Miss Erikson, they are a great team – consuming the left-over drinks between acts is hilarious. Mathilda Butler is suitably scatty as the ingenue (and fan) Daphne Stillington – though her opening speech was a little rushed, her delivery certainly settled down as the play proceeded. Sam Churchouse and Ted Turner tackle the rather stuffed-shirt characters of Morris Dixon and Henry Lyppiatt with vigour and can bellow with the best of them. And as the dangerous siren Clementine Wilson is full of a bubbling sexuality which she exudes with abandon.

This is a very talented cast and they rise to the occasion and deliver a first-rate performance of this classic Coward.

Fern Boston’s skill as a director is in evidence again; bringing out plenty of comedy, both verbal and physical as well as the pathos implicit in the play. The pace she has injected this production with is just perfect and it moves along so easily and where a lengthy pause is required, it is there – she understands how to create momentum. The whole stage space is used to an optimum level with invention and smart ideas. Excellent music choices throughout create the right ambience which offer a backdrop to the fine performances.

Eloise Cannan’s production team should be rightly proud of themselves. A delight from start to finish and an enormous achievement for EUTCO.

Cast

Garry Essendine – Seb Tapp

Liz – Isabella Maunder

Monica Reed – Sasha Hawksworth

Roland Maule – Alex Webb

Daphne Stillington – Mathilda Butler

Morris Dixon – San Churchouse

Joanna Lyppiatt – Clementine Wilson

Henry Lyppiatt – Ted Turner

Fred – Niall O’Mara

Miss Erikson/Lady Saltburn – Sophie Campbell

Creatives

Writer – Noel Coward

Director – Fern Boston

Producer – Eloise Cannan

Assistant Director – Orla Duggan

Assistant Producer – Liv Hodgson

Production Designer – Eliza Clark

Stage Manager – Jack Gregory

Technical Managers – Jithya Wijesinghe & Martha Clifton