PRESENT LAUGHTER
By NOËL COWARD
11 November – 13 December 2025
“Everybody worships me. It’s nauseating.”
Actor Garry Essendine is possibly the most desired man in the world. He is handsome, charming, self-deprecating, self-obsessed, and in the midst of a mid-life crisis.
Over the course of a few days, on the eve of an overseas tour, he finds his life bombarded by the conflicting desires of others.
As an obsessed fan, a starlet, an aspiring playwright and a stage mother cause chaos, it is the efforts of his not-quite-ex-wife, his manager and his long-suffering secretary that may finally save the day.
A fast, furious and extremely funny farce, complete with excruciating misunderstandings, toe-curling narrow escapes and high camp double-entendres, this is Noël Coward at his absolute sparkling best.
“Asks us to wonder: who needs whom most – the sun or the planets that orbit it?” The Independent
Please note: this production contains smoking, flashing lights, sexual references, strong language and adult themes.
CREATIVE TEAM
Director Louise Fischer
Associate Director Chad Traupmann
Set Designer Tom Bannerman
Set Supervisor Barry French
Lighting/Sound Designer Michael Schell
Co-Costume Designer Deborah Mulhall
Co-Costume Designer Helen Kohlhagen
Stage Manager Rosane McNamara
Assistant Stage Manager Thomas O’Meara
Intimacy Director Megan Wray
Dialect Coach Helen Tonkin
CAST
Lib Campbell, Harrison Collis Oates, Peter Eyers,
Liz Grindley, Molly Haddon, Oliver Harcourt-Ham, Holly Mazzola, Michela Noonan, Reuben Solomon, Larissa Turton
Luke Visentin, Emily Weare
DATES/TIMES
Previews Tue 11 Novt & Wed 12 Nov 7:30pm
Opening Night Thu 13 Nov 7:30pm
Thu – Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2pm
Final performance Sat 13 Dec 2pm
Running time: 2 hours and 50 minutes including one interval of 20 minutes
Please note: latecomers will be admitted at a suitable break in the performance
tickets
Full $45
Concessions, Groups (6+) $40
New Theatre Members $25
Thrifty Thursdays $30
Preview $25
(Booking and transaction fees apply)
Patrons please note: New Theatre is now EFTPOS-only
at Front of House for both ticket and bar sales.
★★★★.5 – What’s On Sydney
★★★★ “… this sparkling Present Laughter is a gift…” – Stage Noise
★★★★ “… the audience was bellowing with laughter at all times…” – Stage Door Podcast
★★★★ “… Present Laughter is a master stroke…” – Sydney Arts Guide
“The cast is excellent and we’re happy to take this nostalgic trip with them.” – Theatre Now
“With Coward’s precision-cut phrasing and a formidable cast, Present Laughter is a night of hilarity and chaos.” – The Scoop
“a bright, witty revival that proves Coward’s laughter, one hundred years later, remains wonderfully present” – Theatre Thoughts
“The perfect tipple to see off 2025, The New Theatre serves it almost straight, very fizzy, and utterly irresistible.” – Faith in Theatres
“…nonstop humour at its best.” – Theatre Travels
“…one of New Theatre’s triumphs this season…” – It’s On The House
Main image: AI composite © New Theatre