Forty may not loom the way it used to, but in Noel Coward’s semi-autobiographical play, Present Laughter, it’s an unwelcome age for a self-involved actor of light comedy. Garry Essendine, originally played by Coward himself, must deal with the clamor of fans, friends, playwrights, managers, and, of course, an ex-wife, all while preparing for an African tour. Andrew Scott stars. And Sophie Thompson, one of the quirkiest comic actresses of our time (she’s Emma’s younger sister) is in the cast, which is reason enough to go. —L.J.