Rick Gardner

A comedy directed by Franz Marischka.

Often regarded as semi-autobiographical, Present Laughter follows a few days in the life of successful and self-obsessed actor Garry Essendine as he prepares to travel for a touring commitment. Amid a series of events bordering on farce, Garry must deal with interruptions including the numerous women who want to seduce him, placating his long-suffering secretary Monica Reed, avoiding his estranged wife Liz Essendine, being confronted by a crazed young playwright, and overcoming his fear of his own approacing fortieth birthday and impending mid-life crisis.

After years of separation, the two voices and acoustic guitars that laid the foundation for pop music were united again to harmonize in London's Royal Albert Hall as thousands of fans who flocked to the scene were joined by generations of musicians they inspired, from the Beatles to the Beach Boys. With an all-star band featuring keyboardist Pete Wingfield, guitartists Albert Lee and Martin Jenner and drummer Graham Jarvis, the Everly Brothers sing 20 of their greatest songs, proving originals are still the best. Songs: Claudette, Walk Right Back, Crying in the Rain, Cathy's Clown, Love Is Strange, When Will I Be Loved?, So Sad (To Watch Love Go Bad), Bird Dog, Be-Bop-a-Lula, Barbara Allen, A Long Time Gone, Step It Up and Go, Bye Bye Love, Wake Up Little Susie, Devoted to You, Love Hurts, ('Til) I Kissed You, All I Have to Do Is Dream, Lucille, Let It Be Me.