Present Laughter

Workshop: June 10, 10:30 AM-12:00 PM

Watch Ahead: PBS Great Performances (free--EXPIRES May 27) or sign up for a free trial and watch on BroadwayHD

Cast and Crew: Book: Noël Coward | Director: Moritz von Stuelpnagel | Starring: Kevin Kline, Kate Burton, Kristine Nielsen, Cobie Smulders
Run time: 2 ¼ hours

Critical Thinking Prompts

1. What in Present Laughter makes us laugh?

2. As you look at this light comedy in the context of classic Restoration Comedy or Moliere farces, what similarities strike you in terms of the central characters and their “comic flaws”?

3. Can Present Laughter strike a chord with young people today, even though its background is distant? Are there contemporary stand-ins from popular comic or animated films with extravagant, ridiculously self-centered characters?

Supplemental Resources

• "Behind the Curtain" with Roundabout's production of Present Laughter

• The 50-minute, two-part South Bank Show is the definitive film biography of Noël Coward

• Words and Music of Noël Coward