Present Laughter by Noel Coward
The “Present Laughter” is a farce by Noel Coward, which features Gary Essendine as a self-obsessed actor experiencing a midlife crisis. He is faced with an identity crisis as he tries to manage his various relationships that compete for his attention. There are series of events revolving around the absurdities of the actor border on farce in this play. This Coward’s farce has some similarity with the modern-day sitcom. The modern audience can still identify with the issues surrounding the characters in the play. Moreover, they can always find comic relief in the events. For instance, Gary’s problems are a sparingly modern reflection of fame, identity crisis, and loneliness (Coward). The comic events in the play are relevant universally. The awkward yet funny issues affecting the characters, especially Gary’s, when trying to please everyone are universal. The play’s themes, such as sex and fame, also makes the farce relevant university.
Sometimes in a play with many characters, the audience can feel like some characters are “less than” the lead character. In this play, Coward did a great job of making each actor feel worthy. Just like other great assembled comedy pieces, Coward made the characters to pursue a collaborative comedic timing. While allowing Kevin Kline, the lead character to rise, the director maximizes the manic comedy with other characters in the play. For instance, characters like Cobie Smulders tackle her vixen role with appealing entrance making her an essential character without overshadowing the lead character (Coward). Each character has been given a crucial supporting role in promoting their relevance in the play. Kevin Kline is an outstanding performance. However, without the excellent ensemble of other characters, he would overshadow other characters. Other characters are seen to shine in their ways. For instance, Kate Burton shines while playing her role as the lead’s suffering wife. Characters like Codie Smulders have also been given a chance to showcase his cool performance as the attractive Joanna (Coward).
The events of Present Laughter are possible in the real world. The ability of the audience to identify with the experiences of the characters in the play is what makes it more comical. The audience can relate to Kevin Kline’s awkward and uncomfortable situations (Coward). As such, through the comic relief created by the lead actors, the audience can laugh as a way of distancing themselves from the situations. Kevin’s experience as a popular actor is similar in the current world. For instance, people admire and want to associate with a popular actor just like women fighting for Kevin’s attention after he became a popular actor in the play (Coward).
A tape ball is usually wrapped on the ball to give it more weight and speed. I believe that acting is also like a ball tape. Just like the ball, the lead characters in a play need a collaborative effort of other actors. For one to be outstanding in performance, the other characters have also to shine to offer their support. The other characters give the lead role the weight, or they help him improve the quality of his performance.
Work cited
Coward Noel. “Noel Coward’s Present Laughter”. Great Performance. 2017.
https://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/noel-cowards-present-laughter-full-episode/7618/