Present Laughter

🎭 Present Laughter by Noël Coward
Directed by Eilish Rafferty

This summer, The Moat Club is delighted to present Present Laughter, a sparkling and stylish comedy from the master of wit, Noël Coward. Brimming with charm, sophistication, and razor-sharp dialogue, this classic play promises an evening of laughter and theatrical delight.

At the heart of the story is Garry Essendine, a flamboyant, self-absorbed actor at the peak of his fame, reluctantly approaching middle age. Surrounded by a whirlwind of admirers—from lovestruck debutantes to intense playwrights—Garry navigates the chaos of his personal life with theatrical flair. As he prepares for a theatrical tour of Africa, the tangled web of his romantic escapades begins to unravel, threatening both his career and his carefully curated persona.

“Everybody worships me, it’s nauseating!” — Garry Essendine

🎟️ Present Laughter is a witty exploration of fame, vanity, and the absurdities of human behavior—satirical yet profoundly relatable.

💬 Critical Acclaim:

“Coward’s gift is capturing and celebrating the nuances of our behaviour... exaggerated for effect and yet brilliantly authentic.”
“Sharp, withering and funny.” – The New York Times
“If you don’t understand why Coward is hailed as a genius... here’s your proof.” – The Telegraph

🎭 CAST

• ⭐ Garry Essendine – Aaron O’Connor

• 💔 Liz Essendine – Sophia Peschke

• 🧹 Monica Reed – Zita McGarry Kelly

• 💌 Daphne Stillington – Laura Gleeson

• 🔥 Joanna Lypiatt – Lisa Moorhead
  

Tickets €18/€16