Present Laughter
by StageCenter Community Theatre
Jun. 03 - Jun. 04
Noël Coward’s Present Laughter follows a self-obsessed actor in the midst of a mid-life crisis. Juggling his considerable talent, ego and libido, the theater’s favorite leading man suddenly finds himself caught between fawning ingénues, crazed playwrights, secret trysts and unexpected twists. At the center of his own universe sits matinee idol Garry Essendine: suave, hedonistic and too old, says his wife, to be having numerous affairs. His line in harmless, infatuated debutantes islargely tolerated but playing closer to home is not. Just before heescapes on tour to Africa the full extent of his misdemeanors is discovered. And all hell breaks loose.
Present Laughter
by Noel Coward
directed by Jennifer Hargis
Underwritten by Alan Bryant
Auditions June 3 & 4, 2024
Performances August 1 - 17, 2024
Sunday Matinee August 11 at 2 pm
It is very much preferred, but not required, that all those auditioning attend both nights of auditions.
This production will be set in London in the late 1930's. All characters but one will use an English accent. Some coaching will be provided during production, but accents should be used during auditions so that the director can determine skill-level. This play is fairly fast-paced and the characters are somewhat over-the top.
Characters
(in order of appearance)
The descriptions below which are in parentheses are how they are described in the script, however, ages and appearances are at the discretion of the director and may be changed to some degree.
Daphne - (pretty young woman of about 23 or 24) - star-struck, completely enamored of Garry Essendine, and feels quite grown up after staying the night at his houseMiss Erikson - (thin, vague-looking Swedish housekeeper) unimpressed, sometimes gruffFred - (Garry's valet) slightly lower class, used to work on a cruise ship, often corrected for his grammar
Monica - (Garry's secretary, pleasant, rather austere woman in her early 40's) no nonsense, takes care of business, puts Garry in his place on a regular basis
Garry Essendine - (mid-40's - mid-50's) uses his public persona so often that he no longer knows how to act in private, trying to face middle-age head-on, even though he's well into it
Liz Essendine - (charming-looking woman in her mid-30's) clever, level-headed, problem-solver
Roland Maule - (earnest young man with glasses) very intense, acts like he strongly believes in his own talent, actually has no self-confidence at allHugo - (dapper and neat) friend of Garry's
Morris - (younger than Hugo, good-looking) another friend of Garry's
Joanna - (exquisitely gowned, a great deal of self-assurance and charm) seduces Garry with her magnetic energy
Lady Saltburn - (majestic but effusive society woman) Daphne's aunt
More information at https://www.stagecenter.net/auditions.html
“Present Laughter” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
