Present Laughter at The Old Vic

Noel Coward has never been so funny.  Ok, Matthew Warchus may have altered the play slightly in introducing some gender fluidity by switching Henry Lyppiatt into the female Helen and Joanne Lyppiatt into the male Joe, but if you have the wondrous Andrew Scott (Garry Essendine) in the cast anything and everything tends to work. It can also be argued that this alteration is quite a clever ploy considering that Noel Coward (who wrote the part of Essendine for himself) was homosexual, although this was not publicly acknowledged during his lifetime.

That Essendine is an anagram of neediness is, of course, no coincidence, for this talented, self-obsessed actor is the very essence of the word. Wound up like a coiled spring due to a pending tour of Africa, Essendine’s friends, associates and estranged, but still loving wife, Liz (Indira Varma) are all caught up in his agitation.  His anxiety isn’t helped by the fact that he’s about to turn forty, so he tries to sooth his woes by indulging in brief love affairs.  They mean nothing to him, but, unfortunately the same cannot be said for those on the receiving end of his attention.

I can’t find enough expletives to describe Scott’s brilliant portrayal.  We first see him emerge the morning after the night before dressed in the remnants of a pirate costume.  Theatrical with a capital T, Scott, postures and preens, wheedles and twinkles and displays charm when it suits.  He should be profoundly irritating but, such is this actor’s skill, that a vulnerability shines through all the egotistical, boyish vanity.  It’s easy to understand why his separated wife and friends, including long suffering secretary, Monica (Sophie Thompson) always end up forgiving and adoring him.  In fact, the scene between him and Monica, on the eve of his departure to Africa, highlights the maternal nature of their relationship.  I think that most of the female audience members wouldn’t turn down the change to mother him either!

The performances from the entire cast work brilliantly even though a couple land just short of teetering over the top.  Indira Varma (never knowingly underwhelming) is her usual brilliant self.  She certainly knows how to lend weight to words to give maximum impact, as in accusing Garry of “scampering about” and there is never any doubt that, despite her exasperation at his errant behaviour, she will always love him.

Sophie Thompson is always top notch when it comes to a funny part and some of the most delightful moments result from her comic delivery, heightened, in part because her Monica is imbued with a strong Scottish accent.

Mention, too, is warranted for Joshua Hill as Fred, Essendine’s cockney valet, whose upraised eyebrows at his employer’s goings-on are an absolute joy.

This joyful production is staged on Rob Howell’s handsome, predominately blue art deco set and his choice of costumes are spot on, especially those worn by Liz.  How I covet her entire wardrobe.

The whole evening is a complete joy from beginning to end and I pity those naysayers who were able to find fault.  Anything that produces the volume of laughter and number of upstanding audience members at the close of play can only be termed a gigantic hit.