TRACY-Ann Oberman is a fearless actress – whether performing as one of the finest Tzeitels in the history of Fiddler on the Roof or wowing audiences with her audacious reimagining of The Merchant of Venice, where she played a female Shylock in the turbulent Fascist-inflamed East London of the 1930s, she clearly relishes a challenge. Her latest incarnation is a female Gary (Geri) Essendine in Noel Coward’s Present Laughter, which opens at Theatre Royal Bath from Thursday 27th August to Saturday 5th September.

One of Coward’s funniest plays – recently seen at the Old Vic with Andrew Scott in the leading role – it is the story of a successful actor, who has been 39 for at least ten years. Surrounded by devoted fans and a coterie of close friends, Geri is about to embark on a tour of Africa. But she finds herself besieged by a bevvy of would-be lovers … plus her long-suffering secretary, estranged husband and an obsessed young playwright. Will she ever disentangle herself from their tightening clutches and incessant demands? But, deep down, does she really want to …?

In these celebrity-obsessed stories, Coward’s depiction of a talented but vain actor/actress is prescient, timely and hilarious!

The other cast members in this gender-flipped production, directed by Lindsay Posner, are James Dreyfus as Monty, Adrian Lukis as Len, Richenda Carey as Lady Saltburn, Seb Carrington as David Stillington, Eva Feiler as Rosina Maule, Gabriella Foley as Miss Erikson, Charlotte Randle as Henrietta, Jonathan Tafler as Morris, Perry Williams as Fred and Kit Young as Johannes.

Following its Bath run, Present Laughter will tour to Cambridge Arts Theatre, Malvern Theatres, Richmond Theatre, Cheltenham Everyman, Grand Opera House York, Lighthouse Poole, Liverpool Playhouse and Chichester Festival Theatre.