Often thought of as semi-autobiographical, Noël Coward's Present Laughter follows a few days in the life of successful and self-obsessed actor Garry Essendine as he prepares to go on tour to Africa.

Amid a series of events bordering on farce, Garry must deal with interruptions including the numerous women who want to seduce him: a young aspiring actress, Daphne, and Joanna, who is the wife of his manager, Henry, and who is already having an affair with his producer, Morris.

He must also deal with placating his long-suffering secretary Monica, avoiding his estranged wife Liz Essendine, being confronted by the obsessed young playwright Roland Maule, and the unbearable inevitability of all that comes with turning 40!