1942 comedy was less tight, but no less entertaining than modern fare

Noël Coward’s 1942 comic play Present Laughter, currently playing at Epilogue Players’ Alabama Street playhouse, brings the noted actor/playwright’s famous mix of wit and class to the fore. Sharply directed and shaped by Catherine Mobley, the dated script finds new life as performed by her outstanding cast.

Coward described the play as “a very light comedy … written with the sensible object of providing me with a bravura part.” Depicting himself as Garry Essendine, a rather self-possessed comedic actor preparing for a dreaded touring engagement in Africa – he is the central focus in a circle of doting fans, relations, and hangers on.

Essendine’s highbrow persona is offset with comic effect by the pile of chaotic events which unfold at his home including various overnight female guests, an eager and wild-eyed young playwright, two theatre associates who are sharing one of their wives, his own ex-wife whom he has never divorced, a quirky set of house attendants, plus his own views on life as it should be. Only his secretary of 17 years seems to have her feet firmly on the ground, to Essendine’s great benefit.

Joanna (Shaun Ancelet) attempts to ‘influence’ Garry Essendine (Brandon Wentz). (Photo by Rob Slaven / IndyGhostLight.com)

Brandon Wentz masterfully handles the lead role, offering a measured gentleman possessing both nuance and broad over-reaction. It’s a pithy role and Wentz molds it very much as I might presume Coward might have envisioned.

There are a variety of supporting roles – some down-to-earth, some broadly drawn. Danielle Blair does a solid job as Essendine’s secretary, Monica, making her the stable center of the action, while Veronique Duprey does admirable work as his helpful not-ex-wife, Liz. His agent, Morris and producer, Hugo show a bit less stability as they wander into assorted temptations – robustly played by Gregory Roberts and David Shaul, respectively.

Hugo’s open-minded wife Joanna, played with a measure of abandon by Shaun Ancelet, is one of the temptations, as is young Miss Daphne Stillington, whom Breanna Helms adroitly brings to a light boil in a simmering portrayal. Ryan Moskalick covers the broadest character with a delightfully bazaar twist as he navigates playwright Roland Maule through his odd paces, and Cathie Morgan is sufficiently posh in her role as Daphne’s aunt, Lady Saltburn.

Essendine’s valet, Fred, is crisply offered by Jim Gryga, and Katherine LaTour has great fun being housekeeper Miss Erickson, rounding out the cast.

Costumes by Curt Pickard are period and precisely on the mark and, I’d say, are a good part of the enjoyment. A wonderful set designed by Andy and Melody Burnett matches up well with Michael Beason’s lighting design and the set decoration by a crew of thoughtful designers.

Bottom line: Plays in the 1940s were written far less “tightly” than they are in our times, but Noël Coward is well-known for his extravagance and it shows here. This is enjoyable entertainment, and it was great to see something from his catalog that I was not familiar with.

Present Laughter continues at Epilogue Players through June 28. For more information about dates, times, and reservations go to epilogueplayers.com.

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