Present Laughter Tickets
Noel Coward's Present Laughter returns to the London stage in a new revival starring Andrew Scott at the Old VicSuitable for ages 11+
Performance dates
17 June 2019 – 10 August 2019.
Run time 2hr 30min (inc. 20min interval)
Includes interval
Top Rated Show
Reviewers highly rate this show
- Show info
- Gallery
- Accessibility
- Reviews
- News
Noel Coward's Present Laughter Old Vic tickets on sale now!
Semi-autobiographical play Present Laughter by the late legendary playwright Noel Coward is set to be revived once more for a brand-new Old Vic production directed by Matthew Warchus. The in-house Old Vic director, who admitted that he was considering taking on the play for quite some time now, is especially fascinated with the original play's 1930s acting style and a more modern acting style can still capture the essence of the decade. This revival of one of Noel Coward's most famous plays is one you certainly won't want to miss! It's simply 'laugh-out-loud funny!'
Who is starring in the Present Laughter revival at London's The Old Vic?
The show's West End cast is set to star Olivier Award-winning actor Andrew Scott (A Girl in a Car with a Man, BBC's Sherlock, Fleabag) in the role of Garry Essendine alongside acclaimed Importance of Being Earnest actress Sophie Thompson from last year's Oscar Wilde season in the role of Monica Reed, Luke Thallon from the widely lauded two-parter The Inheritance in the role of Rolan Maule, Game of Thrones' Indira Varma in the role of Liz Essendine and Harry Potter's Suzie Toase in the role of Helen Lyppiatt.
The play also stars Kitty Archer as Daphne Stillington, Enzo Cilenti as Joe Lyppiatt, Joshua Hill as Fred, Liza Sadovy as Lady Saltburn/Miss Erikson, and Abdul Salis as Morris Dixon. The Present Laughter Old Vic cast is completed by Nicole Agada as an understudy for Liz Essendine/Daphne Stillington, Dan Krikler as an understudy for Joe Lyppiatt/Rolan Maule/Fred, Tom Peters as an understudy for Garry Essendine/Morris Dixon, and Nada Sharp as an understudy for Miss Erikson/Lady Saltburn/Monica Reed/Helen Lyppiatt.
What is Present Laughter about?
Present Laughter is a comic play that follows the fictional Garry Essendine, a highly renowned and sought-after actor who, after turning 40, is faced with a mid-life crisis. His latest production prepares to send him on a tour through Africa. But before setting out on his journey to a new world, he becomes entangled in a web of absurdities involving seductive women and the need to appease both his estranged wife and troubled secretary while also dealing with an insane and demanding playwright.
The play has been put on numerous times over the decades and has generally featured a number of A-list actors in the main role. The narcissistic and self-obsessed Garry Essendine has been portrayed by the likes of Ian McKellen (X-Men film series, Lord of the Rings series), Peter O'Toole (Lawrence of Arabia, How to Steal a Million opposite Audrey Hepburn), Simon Callow (A Christmas Carol), Clifton Webb, Albert Finney, Nigel Patrick, Kevin Kline, Victor Garber and Donald Sinden.
Present Laughter creative team
The new Old Vic production of Present Laughter is directed by in-house director Matthew Warchus and features associate direction from Joe Murphy, set and costume design by Rob Howell, co-lighting design by Tim Lutkin and Hugh Vanstone, sound design by Simon Baker, voice direction by Charlie Hughes D'Aeth, dialect coaching by Penny Dyer, associate lighting design by Sam Waddington and Chris Hirst and casting by Jessica Ronane CDG.
Fun facts about Noel Coward's Present Laughter, now showing at The Old Vic
'What's in a name? That which we call Present Laughter?' The 'present' in the show's title is actually an adjective and not a verb. It is derived from a song in William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, particularly from the verse 'present mirth hath present laughter.' The song is a call to abide by the notion of carpe diem, or in modern terms, 'livin' my best life.'
The many affairs that take place in the play might have been homosexual had the play been written in the present day. But due to homosexuality being a taboo subject in Coward's day, it is alleged that Coward was forced to transform the affairs into straight, heterosexual affairs as prescribed by the stigma of the era. Garry's secretary in the play, Monica, is based on Coward's real-life secretary Lorn Lorraine while the character of Liz was originally played by Joyce Carey and likely based on the actress herself, as she was a part of Coward's social circle.
Tickets to the Old Vic production of Present Laughter starring Andrew Scott will not last!
Don't miss the brand-new, upcoming production of Present Laughter when it hits the West End's Old Vic Theatre this summer! Tickets to this sure-fire hit featuring an all-star cast are expected to sell out fast! Book your Present Laughter tickets London as soon as they go on sale to secure the best prices and best seats at The Old Vic!
Content
Contains smoking (herbal cigarettes), latex balloons, and adult content.Special notes
Latecomers sitting in the Stalls will not be admitted until the interval.
Recent Reviews
Andrew Scott was just incredible. Funny and sad at the same time. You could feel the trauma and anxiety of his character. Brilliantly funny piece of work.
Absolutely brilliant! Andrew Scott was magnificent! Cried real tears of laughter!!
Brilliant!
Great show. Due to the refurbishment no toilets in the theatre were working - I really believe tickets should have been discounted as a result as this was hugely disruptive especially being on the second floor
I thought the play was excellent. A fresh take on Noel Coward's play with Andrew Scott captivating the audience as Garry Essendine and a fully supporting cast.
I must admit I was not familiar with this play but any anxieties I had were soon calmed by Andrew Scott’s appearance. High energy, laugh out loud, a farce to be reckoned with. Sheer bliss.
Wonderful classic play with a nice modern twist. Wonderful cast and one marvelous Andrew Scott
The play is one of the best comedies that I have ever seen put on in London, largely due to the incredible performance of Andrew Scott, but also a great supporting cast. The only thing that marred the evening is the terrible state of the Old Vic theatre during the current renovations. Whilst I appreciate that the works are long overdue, they seem to have been handled particularly badly, and the much lowered theatre experience was not reflected in lower ticket prices.
Despite playing someone who overacts, at no point did it feel like overacting. A thoughtful and provocative play which we thoroughly enjoyed
So funny and incredible performances !
One of the best and most enjoyable productions of a fantastically written play I have seen in years. The quality of the acting and dialogue were superb... the set simple but effective, the engagement with the audience excellent.
Fantastic play. Very well acted by all but Andrew Scott was the star!
Latest Present Laughter News

News / Celebrities / Casting / New Shows + Transfers
Andrew Scott to star in the Old Vic’s new production of Noel Coward’s Present Laughter
The Old Vic Theatre will be reviving Noel Coward’s semi-autobiographical play, Present Laughter, this summer starring renowned actor Andrew Scott.
Coward’s comedy Present Laughter follows the story of a successful actor, Garry Essendine (Scott), who is suffering a somewhat mid-life crisis following his recent fortieth birthday. Whilst he prepares to embark on a tour of Africa with his latest production, he must confront and pacify both his wife and secretary while facing rumours of extra-marital affairs, the consequences of which could significantly impact both his life and career.
11 Mar, 2019 | By Jade Ali
Keep me updated
We'll tell you as soon as tickets go on sale:
Tickets from an authorised retailer
- Full refunds for event cancellations
- Secure booking & payment