A Top Notch Farce: Noises Off

The promotional material describes a ‘riotous double bill’, and it is not wrong. The performance was exactly what was described on the tin, so to speak. This is a traditional British farce with many misunderstandings, numerous comings and goings and as ever, a scantily clad female.

Noises Off, first performed in 1982 is a play within a play and it is clear that the writer, Michael Frayn, was patently aware that the backstage shenanigans of any theatre production that the audience are never meant to see, are often funnier and more compelling than the actual performance on stage.

Noises Off charts the progress of a bungling touring theatre company performing a farce entitled Nothing On and the curtain opens on their final rehearsal. They are clearly under-rehearsed. The eight actors, a clearly stressed director, a harassed stage manager plus assistant all come together to create for their audience a hilarious evening’s entertainment.

The cast are excellent and without exception their comedic timing is second to none. Liza Goddard plays the fading TV star Dotty Otley who has sunk her entire savings into the production. She perfectly characterizes the doddery Dotty mostly wandering around the stage with a plate of sardines, or not, as the case may be.

Simon Shepherd takes the part of Lloyd Dallas the play’s Director at his wits end, and obviously preferring to direct a bit Shakespeare instead of this amateurish theatre group.

Of particular note, is Dan Fredenburgh as the property agent Garry Lejeune. He treated us to some great physical comedy and his attempts to hide the scantily clad and not too bright Lisa Ambalavanar who took the part of Brooke Ashton was the stuff of comedy gold.

Throw into the mix Selsdon Mowbray (Matthew Kelly) who is a tad deaf and fond of a drink or two, Simon Coates as Frederick Fellowes, an aging actor who struggles to understand the Director and his directions, Lucy Robinson as Belinda Blair who consistently tries to smooth over the many upsets and last but not least Nikhita Lesler and Daniel Rainford as the production assistants whose task it is to hold everything together in spite of the chaos.

The set designed by Simon Higlett is very clever and is staged over two levels with a staircase and the inevitable numerous doors for all the comings and goings. Ruth Cooper-Brown’s choreography is precise ensuring that everyone is in the right or even the wrong place at the right time.

The Director, Lindsay Posner has much to be proud of with this production and whilst it isn’t necessarily my cup of tea, the overall evening’s entertainment is top notch and had the audience laughing and giggling from start to finish - what better recommendation could there be than that?