Original version

BBC Radio 4 Extra

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Saturday Drama

Drama

Thrillers, mysteries, love stories and detective fiction.

Thrillers, mysteries, love stories and detective fiction, as well as an occasional special series

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 LW

Samuel West

Frances Barber

Freddie Fox

Janie Dee

Kim Wall

Lily James

Susannah Harker

Jonathan Coy

Anthony Calf

Hazel Ellerby

Sarah Badel

Celia de Wolff

Noel Coward

Saturday Drama: Noel Coward - Present Laughter

Present Laughter

06/04/2013

Noel Coward - Present Laughter

BBC Radio 4 - Saturday Drama, Noel Coward - Present Laughter

Noel Coward's play follows a few days in the life of self-obsessed actor Garry Essendine.

By Noel Coward. Playwright and actor Garry Essendine's plans to leave on an African tour are complicated by romantic intrigue and obsessive fans.

Often thought of as semi autobiographical, Noël Coward's 'Present Laughter' follows a few days in the life of successful and self-obsessed actor Garry Essendine as he prepares to go on tour to Africa.

Amid a series of events bordering on farce, Garry must deal with interruptions including the numerous women who want to seduce him, a young aspiring actress, Daphne, and Joanna who is the wife of his manager Henry and who is already having an affair with his producer Morris.

He must also deal with placating his long suffering secretary Monica, avoiding his estranged wife Liz Essendine, being confronted by the obsessed young playwright Roland Maule and the unbearable inevitability of all that comes with turning forty.


'Present Laughter' by Noël Coward

Director: Celia de Wolff
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Saturday Drama

Noel Coward - Present Laughter

Contributors

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 Extra

About BBC Radio 4 Extra