Standard: £14
Corsham based Ad Hoc Theatre Company are delighted to return in the spring, with their production of “Present Laughter” by Noel Coward. This brilliant autobiographical comedy of manners was first performed in 1942, and Coward played the leading role of Gary Essendine, a vain, bad-tempered, witty and charming egotistical actor. The plot revolves around his complicated private life and the demands of his ex wife, secretary, valet, housekeeper, theatre manager and producer, and eccentric writer, and adoring girlfriends. In the best Coward tradition these entanglements escalate from one farcical turn to another, with superb dialogue and sparkling repartee. Widely considered to be one of his funniest plays, Coward wrote it as he was approaching middle age and coming to terms with the stresses and strains of theatrical fame.