#luke thallon

[dynamics-of-an-asteroid]

"Well, I mean, it really isn't the sort of thing you would like, is it?" "In that case, why did you send it to me?" "I just took a chance!"

[motionpicturelover]

"Present Laughter" (NT Live, 2019) - Matthew Warchus

Films I've watched in 2025 (8/?)

[denimbex1986]

'...Present Laughter

Also recently added to NT At Home is a Noël Coward revival driven by Andrew Scott’s luminously large-scale performance as the preening actor Garry Essendine. He is panache incarnate in an Old Vic production with added hints of bisexuality and tremendous supporting turns from, among others, Indira Varma, Sophie Thompson and (soon to be the RSC’s new Hamlet) Luke Thallon. ntathome.com...'

[dalyankiz1981]

On a high once again after watching this for the second time. And I even let hubby come and watch it with me as he was still recovering from his heart attack the first time I saw it (out of danger and in the hands of brilliant doctors, I hasten to add, but still recovering - in case anyone thinks I was a horrible wife for leaving him to go watch my fave 🤣)

Needless to say he really enjoyed it too and was talking about it all the way home (and if he was to develop a lil man crush on Andrew too which I suspect he might have it wouldn’t be the worse thing! 🤭)

Ofc I loved it even more this time around and it was even more special and hilarious because an older guy in the same row as us was laughing so hard throughout it - one of those types of laugh that sets you off in fits too 😂 😂 Absolutely MARVELLOUS darlings!! 🤩

[caroleditosti]

'Patriots,' a Superb Play About the Oligarch Kingmaker Who Made Putin

Peter Morgan's play is both fun and chilling. Will Keen as Vladimir Putin and Michael Stuhlbarg as Boris Berezovsky, the man who Putin in power, are formidable. It's a must-see.

The full company of Patriots (Matthew Murphy) After the USSR dissolved and Ukraine and various former Soviet republics established their independence, the popular Boris Yeltsin was elected as the President of Russia and remained as President from 1991-1999. Yeltsin, who attempted to transform Russia’s command economy into a capitalist market economy during a period of upheaval, allowed a small…

[shakespearenews]

Having applied for the job as a duo, they’ve been in post since June 2023 and have just announced their plans for the year ahead – a judicious mixture of tragedy and comedy, new and old, long and short. They built the season by simply approaching people they wanted to work alongside and asking what they wanted to stage. The results range from Emily Burns’s contemporary take on Love Labour’s Lost set in the world of a Musk-like tech bro, starring Bridgerton’s Luke Thompson, to a King Lear in Ukrainian and Luke Thallon as Hamlet, directed by Rupert Goold. Alongside Shakespeare, there’s new work across four stages including an adaptation of Hanif Kureishi’s The Buddha of Suburbia and revivals of plays by Sheridan and Marlowe.

---

Evans checks with Harvey before he proceeds. “One of the things we should just be candid about is that we didn’t know whether we were right because we didn’t consider ourselves to be Shakespeare scholars. We love Shakespeare, and we have directed and acted in Shakespeare but because Greg had such an encyclopaedic knowledge of Shakespeare, we thought that was maybe what was needed.

[shesnake]

Andrew Scott & Luke Thallon in Noël Coward’s Present Laughter (2019) dir. Matthew Warchus, The Old Vic

[utterlywholocked]

Whole Cast of Pinter Five.

Rupert Graves, Jane Horrocks, Colin Mcfarlane, Emma Naomi, Luke Thallon and Nicholas Woodeson, with director Patrick Marber

[peterviney1]

Present Laughter- Old Vic 2019 review Review added of PRESENT LAUGHTER by Noel Coward at The Old Vic (FOLLOW LINK). This version stars Andrew Scott and has been noted for 'gender fluidity.' Few plays ever get so many five star reviews as this production. I've given it a mildly mean four. Go to the review and find out.

[widgenstain]

I don’t know how I feel about the casting announcement for The Play That Must Not Be Named On Tumblr. 

[toby-regbo-italia-blogger]

From Instagram

@thecoronettheatre We're excited to announce Toby Regbo has joined the cast of @deadpoetslive

He joins Lindsay Duncan (Sherlock, About Time) and Luke Thallon (Leopoldstadt, Patriots) for a special reading

20 - 22 Oct

TICKETS SELLING OUT, BOOK NOW!

#tobyregbo #regboners #tobyregbofans #reign #reignfrancis #frary #thelastkingdom #aethelred #imedici3 #tommasoperuzzi #adiscoveryofwitches #jackblackfriars #chivalry #mrnobody #somedaythispainwillbeusefultoyou #uwantme2killhim #fantasticbeasts2 #finalfantasyxiv #thediofieldchronicle #kineticvibe #dreamitcon #sasnakcity #germancomiccon #mcmcomicconlondon #fantasybasel #polymanga #nevastalgia #englishactors #tobyregboitaly #tobyregboblog

[denimbex1986]

'*****

The National Theatre At Home's website is a Rolodex of some of the theatre's greatest productions to date, an ever-updating library of acting royalty. On 6 December, the site is welcoming the arrival of Noël Coward’s Present Laughter - as staged at The Old Vic in the summer of 2019, along with The Grapes of Wrath.

Matthew Warchus’ production’s stellar cast (Andrew Scott and Indira Varma both won 2020 Oliviers for this production) brings its own expectations. They star as the separated but yet-to-be divorced couple, Garry and Liz Essendine. Such are their larger-than-life personalities, that we’re kept guessing about whether it’s all for show or if it’s fundamentally who they are.

The cast is rounded off by Joshua Hill as Garry’s ever-so-real Valet, Fred; Kitty Archer as one of Garry’s many (many) admirers, Daphne Stillington; Luke Thallon as Roland Maule, a budding playwright with a slightly overheated addiction to Mr Essendine; the always so ‘charming’ (and destined to be your favourite character) Monica Reed is played by Sophie Thompson; Abdul Salis and Suzie Toase star as manager-producer duo, Morris and Helen respectively; Helen’s ‘wandering’ (for one of a better word) husband, Joe, is played by Enzo Clienti. Wrapping up the cast list, Liza Sadovy stars as maid and medium, Miss Erikson.

Present Laughter tells of Garry Essendine, an actor and producer in London who is preparing to go on a theatrical tour of Africa, when news of a potential affair, in both the friend group and theatre firm, comes to light. Garry’s loved ones try to support him through not only the tour, but also in how he deals with his obvious loneliness. What they fail to realise is that the only person who may actually be committed to being their authentic self is, in a very weird turn of events, Garry himself! A perfect comedy emerges.

As you would expect, this 21st century version of Coward’s provocative play has seen a fair few changes from the original 1942 production.

Firstly, let’s talk about the queer representation this adaptation beautifully brings to light. Coward initially wrote the part of Garry as a man who filled his loneliness with evening after evening in the company of women whom he barely knew - even spending a night with the wife of his longtime friend and producer. But Warchus has added an even deeper level to Mr Essendine’s antics. The production sees a gender-swapped cast for a few of the supporting characters. Toase’s character, Helen, was originally that same producer, Henry; and Helen’s wandering husband, Joe, was initially her cheating wife, Joanna.

Nothing about the plot essentially changes, however, showcasing a complex and beautifully told story of openly (and some not-so-openly) queer characters in a setting where the plot isn’t necessarily about their sexuality - it is a part of them, not the totality of them.

The play is genuinely side-splittingly funny from start to finish, with powerful scenes of tenderness and humanity to ensure those moments of comedy truly land.

Andrew Scott’s versatility should be studied. The fluidity of his portrayal of Garry Essendine is beautifully orchestrated as if each thought were new, were genuine - he defines ‘truth in the moment’. His vocal gymnastics are both something to be in awe of, but also to hang on to as a key element of the storytelling. From changes in intonation, to completely random tempo changes, Scott hilariously and effortlessly has the audience, and in most cases, the cast, in the palm of his hand - and, sure enough, he milks it for what it is worth, in the best way possible.

Although every cast member had their own opportunity for sending the audience into fits of laughter, it was the earthly rootedness of Varma’s character, Liz, that kept me drawn in during moments of chaos. Varma is effortlessly funny, it’s part of who she is. Every joke lands because she just simply is that funny. I won’t spoil too much, but Varma’s humanity in the piece, specifically towards the end, really steals the show, and complements Scott’s theatrical dramatics perfectly.

Present Laughter is an ideal show to watch with loved ones this festive season: from its humour and clever comedy, to its stunning portrayal of real people living. The simplistic, yet stellar, portrayal of queer characters in a play that was not originally dedicating space for them, is something that makes this piece so special. Chemistry, comedy, and chaos - the perfect evening of theatre that you will not want to pause (even though now you can).

All that entertainment, and yet Warchus’ reimagined production also goes straight into my ever-growing list of ‘plays you must see to understand the complexity of people’...'

[philsharp]

New Series - THOUGHT/PROCESS - Adrienne Yang / Emily Fairn / Alessandro Piavani / Luke Thallon / Tessa Bonham-Jones / Scot Greenan / Philippine Velge / Miles Yekinni/ Sebastian Croft / Charlie Cattrall - - - - - #portrait_page #portrait_planet #portraitphotography #actorslife #headshot #headshotlondon #headshotphotographer #londonheadshots #headshotnyc #headshotsla #actorsheadshots #portrait_mood #portrait_star #portraitvision_ #portrait_ig #portrait_today #topportraits #flakphotorecs #gfx50s #fujifilm (at Phil Sharp - Studio) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-wb15qFZWB/?igshid=1d88903d8zfc2

[picolin]

2019年演劇ベスト

今年見たプロダクションは、旧作再演を含めて46作品だった。

（ITAの『地獄に堕ちた勇者ども』は数年前に録画を見ていたので感想はブログに上げていない）

ベスト5

1 A Very Expensive Poison @ The Old Vic  

ロシアの元スパイの暗殺という題材を、歌あり踊りありパペットありで華やか、というかむしろしっちゃかめっちゃかに語る。冷戦以降のロシアという巨大国家が抱える暗いトラウマもきちんと言及されるのがよかった。

2 Sweat @ Donmar / Gielgud 

USにおける人種間緊張が起こるまさにその瞬間を、ペンシルベニアの寂れた工場町というトランプ支持の最前線に取材したルポ的力作。登場人物すべてをフェアな目で描くタフな目。

3 The Watsons @ Chichester/Menier Chocolate Factory 

オースティンの未完成小説というネタから二次創作という営みの奥深さを、これもまたメタメタに楽しく描く。作者が登場するとちょっと日本のマンガにおけるコマの外みたいで可笑しかった。

4 Present Laughter @ The Old Vic  

ノエル・カワードがもし現在この作品をかけたなら、という想定で数キャラのジェンダーとセクシュアリティを変更した意欲的プロ。それをネタにせずきちんと真面目に取り組んでいる。

5 The Doctor @ Almeida

シュニッツラーの原作を現代の晒しあげ文化の分析に昇華したロバート・アイクの力量。

次点

・Glass. Kill. Bluebeard. Imp. @ Royal Court 

・Top Girls @ NT Lyttelton 

・Downstate @ NT Dorfman 

Best Theatrical Moment:   A Very Expensive Poison 一幕終わり、ロシア国歌に乗って登場する大統領閣下(Reese Shearsmith)

Best Performers:   Luke Thallon / Present Laughter @ The Old Vic & Hammed Animashaun / A Midsummer Night's Dream @ Bridge 

この二人はこの数年間色々なプロで見てきて、ついにこの規模で観客（と私）の心を鷲掴みにするときが！という喜びを感じたパフォーマンスだった。

[bwthornton]

#Cinema #Theatre National Theatre Live: Present Laughter | Andrew Scott and Luke Thallon

https://stratford-upon-avon-theatre.blogspot.com/2019/11/cinema-theatre-national-theatre-live.html

[bakerlooandbeyond]

Great Scott! The man's on fire:

Present Laughter  | The Old Vic, London : 28 June 2019

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Verdict: Andrew Scott sets fire to Noel Coward

 by Patrick Marmion for the Daily Mail 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-7190745/Present-Laughter-Old-Vic-London-Great-Scott-mans-fire.html

Anyone who thinks Andrew Scott is good on telly had better see if there are any tickets left at the Old Vic.

Great as he was as Moriarty opposite Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock, and magnetic as he was playing the fit young priest opposite Phoebe Waller-Bridge in Fleabag, he’s even better on stage.

What you don’t get on screen is the improvisation. Scott knows exactly how to work his audience. At this week’s opening night of Noel Coward’s 1942 comedy he almost shot us a wink, and set the house ablaze. If he tries it again, they’ll have to call the fire brigade.

As Coward’s overwrought and oversexed thespian Garry Essendine — a self-portrait by Coward mocking his own grandiosity and sexual peccadilloes — Scott gives a positively incendiary turn.

The big change, though, is that Matthew Warchus’s clockwork production turns the play into a gay comedy, giving Garry two male suitors…

Warchus may think Coward would approve, because he was gay himself. I think he might have found it too obvious, and anyway, it’s not what he wrote.

Coward valued irony, evasiveness and poise over social crusading, and says as much throughout the play — especially in the character of a deliciously idiotic young playwright (Luke Thallon).

There’s also a slight coarsening of the tone, with Scott sometimes melting down like Basil Fawlty.

Should we worry about this? Scott’s fans won’t. I imagine they will be prepared to walk over red hot coals to see him in the flesh. And they won’t be disappointed. The Dublin-born actor dishes up plenty of ham as he sees off a female admirer: all gushing histrionics, wrist pressed to his forehead.

At other times he’s sulky, sly and acid with a laser gaze. But as the plot escalates it’s face in hands, fingers running through hair and arms flung into a crucifix. And there’s plenty of pirouetting, too — in a whole range of floaty fabrics. The more carried away he gets, the more he sounds like Graham Norton — and the bigger the laughs.

But when he smooches the thick-voiced, indecently handsome Enzo Cilenti, as his Javier Bardem-lookalike Latin lover, the huge Old Vic suddenly becomes silent.

Can Coward’s soda-siphon comedy take such earnestness? I’m not sure. It makes Scott seem more vulnerable — and makes us take him more seriously. But rest easy: we’re soon back into the ding-dong, door-banging mayhem.

Migraine sufferers should be warned: Rob Howell’s staging is unmerciful on the eye. It’s a spread-eagle Art Deco edifice in bright speckled blue with fan windows and chintzy decoration. Along with pop ranging from The Doors to The Shirelles, the idea must be to jar us out of our cosy expectations.

Coward’s trademark silk dressing-gowns are openly ridiculed as the production declares itself thoroughly now and metropolitan.

Scott even drinks straight from a bottle. Horrors!

And if Indira Varma (Luther and Game Of Thrones), as Garry’s wife, adds Cowardian elegance and froideur in a range of swish and stylish outfits, Sophie Thompson maintains the eccentricity with a Jean Brodie-ish turn as Garry’s secretary.

Still, gorgeous and colourful as the supporting acting is, the show belongs to Scott. He eats it alive — and has the audience for dessert.