Join us for the readings and auditions for The Henley Players Spring production, Noel Coward’s PRESENT LAUGHTER, which will be directed by Mark Hampshire
Production dates are 17th to 20th March 2027
Readings are on 26th November and 1st December at 8pm at Harpsden Hall
Auditions are on 3rd and 8th December also at 8pm at Harpsden Hall
Meet Garry Essendine. He’s a massive West End star, utterly adored by the public, and about three seconds away from a total nervous breakdown.
Set over a few days right before Garry ships off on a gruelling overseas tour, the play follows his contemporary apartment as it turns into an absolute circus. The madness kicks off when a starstruck young admirer named Daphne sneaks in after a show and spends the night, setting off a chain reaction he can’t escape.
No matter how hard Garry tries to maintain some dignity, his life is constantly being hijacked by his own inner circle. His razor-sharp estranged wife, Liz, and his dry-witted secretary, Monica, do their best to keep him on track, but they’re swimming against the tide. Before long, Garry is knee-deep in secret affairs (including a dangerous fling with his producer’s partner, Joanna), panicking business managers, exasperated producers, and an eccentric housekeeper who’s probably off doing a seance somewhere.
To top it all off, there’s Roland Maule—a wildly intense, unhinged aspiring writer who treats Garry like a literal god and refuses to leave him alone.
As the lines between Garry’s actual life and his theatrical performances completely blur, he must figure out how to survive the most demanding audience of all: the people who know him best.
Characters
Garry Essendine
Garry is the exhausting, magnetic character at the centre of the play. He’s a globally famous, wildly successful light-comedy star hitting a massive mid-life existential crisis just as he’s supposed to head off on a gruelling overseas tour. He is highly-strung, deeply narcissistic, but weirdly vulnerable underneath all the theatricality. We need an actor with excellent comic timing, physical energy, and the stage presence to command the stage like a true showman!
Liz Essendine
Garry’s estranged wife. Even though they separated years ago and never officially divorced, Liz remains his emotional anchor and the real boss of his inner circle. She is grounded, razor-sharp, and completely immune to his endless dramatics—she handles every crisis he throws at her with a cool elegance.
Monica Reed
Garry’s long-suffering secretary and personal assistant. Monica runs his chaotic life with iron-clad efficiency and dry sarcasm. She’s worked for him for years, meaning she’s one of the few people on earth allowed to puncture his ego with a perfectly timed, witty remark. Requires great comic timing and “world-weary charm”!
Roland Maule
An aspiring, intensely zealous young playwright. Roland forces his way into Garry’s flat and quickly becomes a manic, unhinged stalker who treats Garry like a living deity. This role calls for excellent physical comedy, energy, and total commitment to the absurd!
Daphne Stillington
A dramatic, enthusiastic admirer who sneaks into Garry’s apartment after a show and accidentally sets the whole plot in motion. Easily swept away by her own romantic daydreams, she stubbornly bounces back into Garry’s life no matter how many times he tries to dismiss her.
Joanna Lyppiatt
The glamorous partner of Garry’s producer. Joanna is confident, unapologetically flirtatious, and dangerous to have around. Their secret liaison in Garry’s guest room threatens to blow up the tightly knit professional group, requiring an actor with high confidence, charm, and a bit of swagger!
Morris Dixon
Garry’s business manager. Morris is desperately trying to keep his client, his friend, and the impending tour afloat, all while trying to navigate his own messy personal entanglements within Garry’s inner circle.
Henry Lyppiatt
Garry’s principal theatrical producer. He’s an absolute powerhouse in the industry who has worked with Garry for years, but she has very little patience left for his theatrical tantrums when there’s actual business on the line.
Miss Erikson
Garry’s deadpan housekeeper. She drifts through the chaotic apartment dabbling in mysticism, seances, and bizarre hobbies, entirely unbothered by whatever scandalous strangers have spent the night. A wonderfully quirky comedic character role.
