“Present Laughter,” the multi award-winning production, is part of Arts in the Afternoon at the Opera House.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center will present a new staging of the Noël Coward classic, “Present Laughter,” captured live via satellite from London’s National Theatre, on Saturday at 1 p.m. The multi award-winning production is part of Arts in the Afternoon at the Opera House.

This production of Coward’s provocative comedy features Andrew Scott (Vanya, Fleabag) and is the winner of two 2020 Olivier Awards including Best Actor for Scott.

As he prepares to embark on an overseas tour, star actor Garry Essendine’s (Scott) colorful life is in danger of spiraling out of control. Engulfed by an escalating identity crisis as his many and various relationships compete for his attention, Garry’s few remaining days at home are a chaotic whirlwind of love, sex, panic and soul-searching.

Filmed live at The Old Vic in London during a sold out run in 2019, Matthew Warchus directs this giddy and surprisingly modern reflection on fame, desire and loneliness.

WhatsOnStage calls the production “illuminating and luminously funny.”  London’s Telegraph says “Andrew Scott’s revelatory performance shows why Noël Coward is still hailed a genius.” The production runs approximately three hours with one intermission.

Individual tickets to Present Laughter are $15, ($10 students). Tickets may be purchased in person at the Opera House Box Office or by phone at 716-679-1891, Tuesday-Friday, 12-4:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online anytime at www.fredopera.org. Arts in the Afternoon at the Opera House is sponsored by Dr. James M. & Marcia Merrins.

For this production, the Opera House is equipped with assistive listening headsets for the hearing-impaired. Simply request one from any usher or Opera House staff member.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center is a member-supported not-for-profit performing arts center with a mission to “present the performing arts for the benefit of our community and region … providing access to artistic diversity … and high quality programming at an affordable price.” It is located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.fredopera.org.