The New Canaan Playhouse is closing its 2024 programming with a bang, wrapping up its National Theatre Live series with Noël Coward’s Present Laughter on December 18. Under the leadership of Luke Parker Bowles, CEO of Cinema Lab, the historic theater has transformed into a vibrant cultural hub that seamlessly blends world-class entertainment with community engagement.
“This isn’t just a movie theater,” Parker Bowles said during a recent community meeting. “The Playhouse is for everybody.”
Present Laughter, featuring Andrew Scott in a luminous, Olivier-winning performance as the narcissistic yet endearing Garry Essendine, the production is a sharp, chaotic dive into fame, love, and identity crises. It’s the kind of theatrical experience that feels simultaneously uproarious and cutting, a bittersweet love letter to the ego’s perils and charms.
Scott, known for his roles in Fleabag and Sherlock, delivers what critics have hailed as “a revelation.” His Garry is a man whose life is as messy as his perfectly tailored wardrobe, a performance oscillating between comedic brilliance and aching vulnerability. The supporting cast shines just as brightly. Indira Varma, another Olivier winner, is sharp and fiery as Garry’s ex-wife and voice of reason, while Sophie Thompson’s hilariously beleaguered Monica adds an extra layer of charm to the chaos.
The New Canaan screening captures every laugh, panic, and sigh, thanks to National Theatre Live’s stunning cinematography. Matthew Warchus’s direction finds modernity in Coward’s 1939 play, making it resonate as more than just an amusing relic of theatrical high society. The staging is sleek, the performances magnetic—this isn’t just theater; it’s theater polished to a cinematic sheen.
Bringing London to Main Street
The Playhouse’s partnership with London’s National Theatre has injected a bold new dimension into its programming. What started on November 13 with Benedict Cumberbatch’s critically acclaimed Hamlet evolved into a showcase of some of the best stagecraft the UK has to offer. Highlights included Danny Boyle’s visceral Frankenstein, with Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller trading off lead roles in alternating performances, and Andrew Scott’s heart-wrenching Vanya, a modern reimagining of Chekhov.
On December 11, the Playhouse screened The Motive & The Cue, Sam Mendes’s behind-the-scenes exploration of John Gielgud directing Richard Burton in Hamlet. While attendance for some screenings has been sparse—momentum has been building as word spreads about the series.
“It’s about giving the community something extraordinary,” said a Parker Bowles. “These productions bring the world’s best stage performances to New Canaan. Where else can you see Benedict Cumberbatch or Andrew Scott so vividly without leaving town?”
Parker Bowles has reimagined the Playhouse as a multi-use community space. Beyond hosting films and live-theater screenings, the venue boasts a pub serving top-tier food and drink, a members-only lounge upstairs, and a second-floor workspace. “We’ve just got a proper Italian barista system,” Parker Bowles shared. “Your cappuccinos—best cappuccinos. Dolche is pretty good, and upstairs, full coffee bar, whatever you like.”
The theater has also introduced unique membership perks through its Bravo program, offering free movies, discounted concessions, and a private screening. “You get one movie theater screening that you can have to yourself,” Parker Bowles said. “Lots of people have been doing them for parties.”
The Playhouse has become a hotspot for holiday programming as well. Earlier this month, patrons enjoyed a festive lineup that included Love Actually, The Polar Express, Elf, and It’s a Wonderful Life, paired with seasonal treats like eggnog and branded merchandise.
As the Playhouse continues to expand its offerings, Parker Bowles remains focused on creating a space that serves everyone. “We’ve finally found our feet, and we’re listening,” he said. “It’s not a private club. We’re here for the entire community.”
This week the Playhouse continues its incredibly successful runs of Wicked and Moana 2. Tickets are available.
The December 18 screening of Present Laughter is expected to draw a large crowd as the Playhouse celebrates the success of its inaugural National Theatre Live series. Tickets are available on the Playhouse website.
