PUT an ageing womaniser, a series of adoring women and a starstruck playwright together and you get the chaos and hilarity of Orange Theatre Company’s production of Present Laughter.
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The Noel Coward play, which will be staged at Orange Civic Theatre from Friday, June 29 to Sunday, July 1, will star Bruce Buchanan as suave actor Garry Essendine, whose tangle of misdemeanours is aired for all to see as he prepares for a touring commitment to Africa.
Co-director Greg Pringle said Mr Buchanan would be supported by a strong cast of women: Cin Jackson as Essendine’s secretary Monica Reed, Lindsay Punch as estranged wife Liz Essendine, Catherine Fraser as seductive Joanna Lyppiatt and Katherine Wannan as young admirer Daphne Stillington.
“It’s interesting because most of the lead roles are played by women, which is really refreshing, and they’re very different, diverse roles – normally men dominate,” Mr Pringle said.
“Monica tries to keep Garry in line and get him to act his age, which is a challenging role and a really funny part.”
Geoffrey Dwight will play the role of eccentric playwright Roland Maule, while company regular Jeff Townsend will play manager Morris Dixon.
Tickets are available from the civic theatre box office or online through Ticketek .