PRESENT LAUGHTER Therry Theatre The Arts Theatre Until 28 Aug 2010 Review by Fran Edwards The witty humour of Noel Coward is essentially of another age and it takes a while to settle into therhythms of the terribly British lifestyle depicted, but the subject matter of relationships, ego and sex arestill topical and relevant. On a beautiful David Lampard, unboxy set, which works for the many entrances and exits, a well chosencast under the expert hand of director, Barry Hill, deliver a well crafted performance. The first act seemsa little slow, but when this production settles, the hesitancy will disappear. In the 'Coward' role of Garry Essendine, John Koch is suitably smooth and theatrical. He creates thelanguid, disinterest in those around him that is the Coward hallmark. His staff are spot on, with PenniHamilton-Smith delightful as the eccentric, Miss Ericson and Brian Messenger very down-to-earth as manservant, Fred. Julie Quick makes a wonderful controlling secretary, Monica Reed, hiding her devotion inapparent derision. As Essendine's women, Shelley Hampton is a stylish and realistic Liz Essendine, the wife; Diane k Lang iselegance itself as Joanna Lippett, the friend's wife; and Alison Scharber is naïve and gullible as the sweetyoung aspiring actress. With a regal cameo appearance as Lady Saltbum, Loriel Smart completes thewell dressed ladies necessary for any Coward play. Blake Parham provides many laughs as the strange young man, Roland Maule, his repeated intrusionsprovide a catalyst for much of the action. As the serious husband of Joanna, Henry Lippett, JamesWhitrow is suitably outraged but nicely underplayed, while Peter Smith as Morris Dixon, a friend andbusiness associate, goes from mild mannered to completely over the top with such gusto! Colin George's lighting complements the production and displays Loriel Smart's costume choices to theiradvantage. This is a production that will appeal to all Coward fans.