CALL TO AUDITION:

PRESENT LAUGHTER

By NOËL COWARD

“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 wife, his manager and his long-suffering secretary that may finally save the day.

A fast, furious and extremely funny farce, complete with misunderstandings, toe-curling narrow escapes and high camp double-entendres, this is Noël Coward at his absolute best.

“Asks us to wonder: who needs whom most – the sun or the planets that orbit it?” The Independent

CREATIVE TEAM & CREW
Director Louise Fischer
Assistant Director Chad Traupmann
Lighting Design Michael Shell

PERFORMANCE DATES
11 Nov – 13 Dec 2025

REHEARSALS
Rehearsals will commence late Sep/early Oct with a combination of weekend days, week evenings and possibly weekdays. Exact times and dates tbc, subject to cast availability.

AUDITION DATES
Sat 19 Jul, 2pm to 6pm
Sun 20 Jul, 10am to 12pm
Mon 21 Jul, 6pm to 10pm
Tue 22 Jul, 6pm to 10pm

Call back audition dates/times tbc.

ROLES AVAILABLE
Garry Essendine – (M 35-55) self-obsessed famous London actor; he dreads getting old and losing his appeal, but in reality, fears being alone.
Liz Essendine – (F 30-45) Garry’s wife (they’ve been separated for years, but she is still in his small circle of friends); stylish/poised, kind, witty, pragmatic.
Morris Dixon – (M 35-55) Garry’s theatrical manager and friend; smart, romantic; in love with Joanna.
Henry Lyppiatt – (M 35-55) successful businessman; Garry’s longtime producer and friend; husband of Joanna.
Joanna Lyppiatt – (F 25-45) wife of Henry; in her early 30s; glamorous, self-confident.
Monica Reed – (F 35-55) Garry’s tolerant secretary and confidante; organized, sharp-witted, patient, pleasant but also austere.
Daphne Stillington – (F 18-30) pretty debutante; quirky, astute, slightly naïve, but ambitious; ardent admirer of Garry.
Roland Maule – (M 20-35) earnest, aspiring playwright; obsessed fan of Garry; slightly unstable, odd, nervous; wears glasses; in his 20s; British accent (RP) required.
Fred – (M 25-45) Garry’s valet; unrefined, laidback, easygoing; Cockney accent required.
Miss Erikson – (F 45-65) Garry’s chain-smoking housekeeper; slow-moving, strange; attends séances; Swedish accent required (can be doubled with Lady Saltburn).
Lady Saltburn – (F 55-75) wealthy aristocrat; dignified but sometimes effusive; aunt of Daphne; patron of the arts; British accent (RP) required (can be doubled with Miss Erikson).

We very much encourage and welcome submissions from people who identify as First Nations, BIPoC, CaLD, LGBTQI+, gender diverse, or neurodivergent.

TO BOOK AN AUDITION
It is essential to read the script BEFORE applying. There is a perusal copy of the script available for viewing here.

To submit your EOI please complete the submission form linked here.

PLEASE PREPARE
A contemporary comic monologue no longer than three minutes, preferably using a standard British accent (RP).

PLEASE NOTE
New Theatre is an amateur theatre company and a volunteer-based organisation – there is no payment for this production.

If cast, you will be required to wash your own costumes and assist with production bump out.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Louise has an MA in Theatre Studies from UNSW and is currently Artistic Director of New Theatre.

Directing credits at New Theatre include: The Ballad of Maria Marten, Chimerica, Glengarry Glen Ross, Neighbourhood Watch, The Grapes of Wrath, August: Osage County, Australia Day, House of Games, Mother Clap’s Molly House, Enron, The Farnsworth Invention, The Crucible (which transferred to a sellout season at the Seymour Centre), Cabaret, Brand Spanking New, Honeymoon Suite, Richard III, Dancing at Lughnasa, Lemon Delicious and The Caucasian Chalk Circle.

Other directing credits include: The God Botherers (Darlinghurst Theatre); Stories from the 428 (Sidetrack Theatre); Macbeth.com (Lighthouse Theatre); Project SciFi (PACT); Birthdays, Christmas & Other Family Disasters (Tunks Productions); Bedtime for Bastards (Crypt Theatre); Roadkill (Short + Sweet); The Curious Pain of Louis XIV (Seymour Centre) and Hamlet (Harlos Productions).