Enjoy an evening of theatre at Penshurst Place and Gardens this summer, in partnership with Changeling Theatre who will be performing the classic comedy "Present Laughter" by Noël Coward

The Play:

Garry Essendine is a superstar actor and personality, gracing the front covers of all the most fashionable magazines. A charismatic playboy, he is the toast of the town on both sides of the pond.

About to embark on another world tour, Garry is suddenly overwhelmed by an identity crisis. With everyone wanting a piece of him, Garry recognises his own toxic desire to be in the spotlight. Essendine, for the keen eye, is an anagram of neediness.

“I am apt to worry too much about what people think of me”

Present Laughter has been billed as “the best comedy of its kind” and is a largely autobiographical play, with many of the characters based on writer Noël Coward’s inner circle. The play is a razor sharp and highly comic exploration of the ups and downs of fame brought up to date in the Instagram age. Where the leading man struggles to present his genuine self above the magnitude of his stage, screen and social media persona.

The Venue:

Entrance and parking is via our private driveway, and the show will take place on the South Lawn, overlooking the Italian Garden.

Doors will open at 5.00pm after we have closed to the general public, when you will be able to enjoy a private wander through the gardens and the opportunity to purchase a drink from our bar, before it's curtains up at 6.30pm. Picnics are also permitted. We will not be providing seating so please bring along folding chairs or a picnic blanket to sit on as well as suitable clothes and perhaps a blanket or two!

Performances last two hours excluding a brief intermission. 

Important things to remember

• All bookings are final. Refunds will not be offered except in the instance that the event is cancelled by the organiser.
• For this performance please arrive via the Private Driveway using Postcode TN11 8DH, on the B2176. The car park will then appear on your right.
• Arrivals are from 5.00pm. You will the have 1.5 hours to wander the gardens after we close to the general public
• No chairs will be provided. Please bring your own fold out chairs or picnic blankets. If you are bringing fold out chairs, please be mindful of their placement as they can block the view of any guests sitting on blankets.
• No smoking is allowed at Penshurst Place
• Please note our bar will only be providing drinks. You are welcome to bring along your own picnic.
• The performance will begin at 6.30pm and lasts for two hours with a short intermission. As such we expect the performance to finish at around 9.00pm.
• Please use the bins provided for all rubbish or take it home with you. 

Wet Weather, Refunds and Reschedules

This performance is arranged and performed by Changeling Theatre, with Penshurst Place providing a ticketing function through our partner, Live It.

Please note, there is NO alternative indoor space at Penshurst Place for this production to take place.

• If the event has already started, no refunds will be offered.
• Changeling may offer to each audience member a ticket to an alternative Performance but this is at the discretion of Changeling Theatre.
• Should the event be cancelled prior to the event starting,  audience members will be refunded

Decisions as to the delivery or non-delivery of a Performance in the event of inclement weather will be at the sole discretion of Changeling Theatre. The decision to cancel a performance due to inclement weather will not be taken until 30 minutes before curtain up.

Otherwise, all bookings are final