Present laughter at the Arts Theatre
photography Simon Annand
Noel Coward’s classic, a play set in the 1930s full of silk dressing gowns and silver cigarette cases features a semi autobiographical caricature of the author, Garry Essendine, a weary actor the centre of his own theatrical world. But now despite his affairs and personal chaos, still feels unloved and fearful of the end of a career where he has dominated a glittering world of fantasy.
The set photography Simon Annand
Tracy-Ann Oberman has revolutionized the play in a creative act of near-genius. Garry is now Geri, ‘who has been 39’ for a decade. Flamboyant and queen of her own coterie of supporters she rules supreme in world of drama and sexual capers as she reaches 48. In this feminisation of Coward’s portrayal of himself, Tracy Ann has discovered there are more problems to ageing as a woman of the stage than a man. The parts fade, the opportunities shrink the vital looks go, when her secretary ( now changed to a man) goads Geri he only has to mention lines – and not those in a script .Liza Minelli Elizabeth Taylor,, Joan Collins all inspired this sex change’s magnificent characterization.
photography Simon Annand
James Dreyfus - photography Simon Annand.
Even more boldly -London is transformed to where else but New York and the bleaker 30s are now the way -out 70s. A fabulous apartment full of slick furniture and a view of the Big Apple are now the backdrop . Manhattan not Chelsea is where it’s at. The play is a tease, a thriller, a comedy and a farce. ‘ The idea of a badly behaved middle-aged actress conducting herself every bit as outrageously as her male counterparts intrigued me’ writes Tracy-Ann. And we then plunge behind the brilliant world of Broadway theatre to discover this group of ex-pat English, who cling to Geri and keep her in the spotlight. She is the charming centre and Tracy -Ann Oberman gives us a tour de force of a performance
Adrian Lukas as Len photography Simon Annand
Her support team are all seasoned actors familiar from stage television and film – whilst the new characters are played with unrestrained skill. James Drefus as Monty the critical support , Richenda Carey as a small but lovely part as an aristocrat with her nephew a crazy fan ,brilliant in the role is Seb Carrington. Kit Young is the super handsome Johannes who brings confusion to the group and Eva Feiler gives us Rosina Maule another unhinged devotee.
This is a play not to miss. You have the best of the 70s and 30s a brilliant cast and wonderful set. A perfect night in the theatre
Seb Carrington as David Stillington photography Simon Annand
