Present Laughter at the Old Vic: First look at Andrew Scott's return to the London stage
Zoe Paskett
Andrew Scott is glorious in this revival of Noël Coward’s chaotic Thirties caper. He’s suave but also wickedly scathing as matinee idol Garry Essendine, a ruthless charmer who’s desperate to persuade himself that he isn’t slipping into middle age.Garry is every inch an actor even when he’s not meant to be performing. Part peacock, part needy bohemian, he’s a magnet for trouble, and the heady business of juggling his admirers — some sophisticated, others alarmingly amorous — soon causes his personal and professional lives to unravel.The play is flimsy, and productions often try to compensate for this with a rather laboured, shouty outrageousness that has the unintended effect of exposing the writing’s weaker moments. But here it’s realised with panache and a rich sense of mischief.Director Matthew Warchus doesn’t shy away from opportunities for farce. Yet he’s alive to Coward’s verbal dexterity. Flipping the gender of a couple of the smaller roles yields sexy results, and there are times when the dialogue feels as silky as Garry’s eighteen dressing gowns. Strong support comes from Sophie Thompson, suitably caustic as Garry’s secretary Monica, and Indira Varma as his elegant, canny and not completely estranged wife Liz. Some of the ripest scenes rely on the sure comic touch of Luke Thallon, as an earnest, manic young playwright who’s excited by rejection, and Kitty Archer impresses as a social butterfly drawn to Garry’s sparkle.But this is Andrew Scott’s show, and he gives a virtuoso performance. It’s a fascinatingly detailed interpretation of a character who’s flirtatious, stroppy and acerbic yet also drowning in melancholy. Scott achieves something genuinely audacious in making him both odious and adorable. Until Aug 10 (0844 871 7628, oldvictheatre.com)
The first pictures have been revealed of Andrew Scott's return to the stage for Present Laughter at the Old Vic.
The Sherlock and Fleabag actor is appearing on stage alongside Indira Varma, Sophie Thompson and Abdul Salis in Noёl Coward’s semi-autobiographical play, which opens on June 25.
Old Vic artistic director Matthew Warchus is directing the play, which is a reflection on fame, desire and loneliness.
Coward’s comedy follows the colourful life of actor Garry Essendine, who is in the midst of an identity crisis and at risk out spiralling out of control. As Garry prepares to set sail for an overseas tour, the last few days at home are filled with panic, sex and soul-searching.
The cast is completed by Nicole Agada, Kitty Archer, Enzo Cilenti, Joshua Hill, Dan Krikler, Liza Sadovy, Nada Sharp, Luke Thallon and Suzie Toase, with design by Rob Howell, lighting by Hugh Vanstone and sound by Simon Baker.
Scott last appeared on the Old Vic stage in solo show Sea Wall, a role written for him ten years ago by Simon Stephens, as part of the theatre’s 200th anniversary celebrations in 2018.
He is best known in theatre for his portrayal of Hamlet at the Almeida in 2017, which received rave reviews from critics and transferred to the West End before being broadcast on the BBC.
Our goal is to create a safe and engaging place for users to connect over interests and passions. In order to improve our community experience, we are temporarily suspending article commenting
It goes without saying that the 1970s was a decade full of memorable outfits – I mean, the emergence of disco would warrant nothing less. Sister Sledge captured the fashions perfectly in their 1979 hit He's The Greatest Dancer – Halston, Gucci and Fiorucci are just a few of the designer labels that were hugely popular back then. MORE: Vintage shopping online: best apps and websites Grace Jones, Jerry Hall and Lauren Hutton were the It-girls of the moment, turning heads in some classic 1970s tren
Looks like it is time for Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones to take themselves out on another date night! MORE: Catherine Zeta-Jones looks red hot as she poses in low-cut bralet – fans react The actress took to Instagram to share a stunning throwback of the longtime, much-loved couple, and she reminisced over their glamorous date nights. The two, having gotten married in 2000, have graced tons and tons of red carpets and have looked glamorous at every single one, but Catherine's latest th
Netflix's new reality show, Snowflake Mountain, landed on the streaming service this week and some viewers have taken to Twitter to complain about the series. MORE: Netflix's Snowflake Mountain: what is it and which contestant has left already? The eight-parter focuses on a group of spoiled and clueless millennials who are sent to a wilderness survival retreat by their friends and family in the hopes that they'll learn how to stand on their own two feet. WATCH: What do you think of the series? O
Loyal fans of the Today Show know that after years on air, the show's stars are truly like family. So much so, that naturally they know each other better than anyone, and that includes what they're really like off the air too. MORE: Al Roker and Deborah Roberts enjoy family reunion before son Nick's bittersweet departure for college During Tuesday morning's episode of 4th Hour with Hoda and Jenna, while Hoda Kotb is away for the week, Willie Geist took her place next to Jenna Bush Hager. The two
In a now-viral Reddit post, a man explained how his wife spent their whole wedding caring for their kids because he wouldn’t let her hire a babysitter to watch them at the venue
Serena Williams is currently gearing up to make her grand Wimbledon return and gave her fans a glimpse into how she prepares for the prestigious tournament. MORE: Serena Williams spotlights major achievement amid tennis comeback with emotional throwback However, instead of a rigorous training montage, the athlete shared just how she unwinds and relaxes her mind before her time on court. VIDEO: Serena Williams and daughter Olympia's matching outfit changes She shared a candid video from her home,
George Michael's ex Kenny Goss took to Instagram on Monday to praise Elton John for trying to help the singer when he most needed it. MORE: George Michael's ex to inherit part of his £97m fortune after court battle is settled Taking to his stories, Kenny, who last week gave his first interview in five years, told his fans: "George loved @eltonjohn. He tried to help. Anyone that disagrees is very wrong! He was his idol as a young musician starting out. WATCH: Elton John's sons ski like pros in un
Carrie Underwood has an incredible figure and often shares photos of her working out on social media, so it comes as no surprise that she looks fantastic in a bikini! MORE: Carrie Underwood shares unexpected family photo with husband Mike Fisher During a summer fishing trip, the award-winning star shared a series of bikini selfies while out by the lake, looking stylish in a patterned two-piece suit from her line, CALIA by Carrie Underwood. The singer teamed the bikini with a pair of ovesized sha
Whoopi Goldberg is taking a much needed break fromThe View studios and basking in the sun in the Bahamas, and though the whole crew and her co-hosts have tagged along as they celebrate The View's 25th anniversary, the actress can't help but look beyond her time on the show. MORE: Whoopi Goldberg defends Rebel Wilson in powerful statement She made a virtual appearance on another beloved show, Good Morning America, as her time in the Bahamas began, and detailed to Michael Strahan all the exciting
For those navigating a long-term relationship, you know all too well how easy it is to argue with your partner about the small things - and we're talking about the small-small things. Like maybe they don't fold the shower towel correctly (as in, they don't fold the shower towel the way you do).
Kim Kardashian shared the backstory behind the idea for her new Skims sleep set, which features one of the shortest, under boob-revealing crop tops she's launched yet. "I was in Palm Springs and it was so hot and I just took one of my tank tops and I cut it really short, like under boob vibes. And then I had these shorts and they were really long and I just cut them really short.
Lizzo has teamed up with promoter Live Nation to donate $1 million (£815,000) to abortion rights groups following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 case that protected a woman's constitutional right to have an abortion. This decision will now allow individual U.S. states to make abortion illegal. The Truth Hurts singer responded over the weekend by announcing that she will be donating $500,000 (£408,000) from her upcoming to
Twenty-five years may have passed since the death of Princess Diana, but the public interest in her life and legacy shows no signs of waning. From portrayals of her in Spencer and The Crown to the reissue of her famous 'black sheep' sweater, it seems that the late Princess of Wales is still at the forefront of our minds. MORE: The Crown season five filming 'shut down' by royal family - details Which means that it comes as no surprise that a brand new documentary film exploring Diana's life is hi
