Andrew Scott will star in Noёl Coward’s provocative comedy Present Laughter at the Old Vic Theatre.
Scott, who is currently playing a priest in the second series of Phoebe Waller Bridge’s BBC comedy Fleabag, returns to the Old Vic having last performed Simon Stephens’ monologue Sea Wall in 2018. Prior to this, the Sherlock star played Hamlet in the West End and at the Almeida Theatre.
Olivier Award winner and five-time nominee Sophie Thompson (The Importance of Being Earnest, Guys and Dolls, Clybourne Park, Company) features in the production as does Indira Varma (HBO series Game of Thrones), Luke Thallon and Suzie Toase.
Present Laughteris an autobiographical sex-comedy about the self-obsessed actor Garry Essendine who is preparing for a tour in Africa.
The piece will be directed by Matthew Warchus with design by Rob Howell, lighting by Hugh Vanstone and sound by Simon Baker.
Warchus commented: “Originally titled Sweet Sorrow, Noël Coward’s most autobiographical work is a giddy and passionate observation of narcissism, hero worship and loneliness. Most of my favourite plays are comedies with added emotional dimensions and Present Laughter is a laugh-out-loud sex comedy with, I think, surprising depths.”
He added “I’m delighted to be working with Andrew Scott again (after collaborating on the film Pride), together with what promises to be a cast of outstanding comic actors.”
Present Laughter runs from 17 June 2019 until 10 August 2019 at the Old Vic Theatre, London.
