Noises Off was written in 1982, by Michael Frayn, and charts the chaotic rehearsals and performances of a touring production of ‘Nothings On.’ The story unfolds across three acts, which consist of the final rehearsal for a performance in Weston-Super-Mare, backstage during that opening night and the last matinee in Stockton-on-Tees.
The closed curtains, as we enter the Congress Theatre, give nothing away about what is to come. As the curtains part, the impressive set is revealed. The large set consists of two levels and enough doors to cause total chaos as the cast perform. We find our cast in the middle of a very drawn-out tech/dress rehearsal.
The loveable Dotty Otley, (Liza Goddard) bursts onto the stage (with the sardines) and the show begins. Goddard’s Dotty is carefully crafted and her doddery mannerisms, have us in fits of giggles which quickly turn into full on belly laughs as the show continues. The rehearsal descends further into disarray, and a despairing cry is heard from the auditorium as Director Lloyd Dallas, (Simon Shepherd) finally steps in to sort out his troubled players. Shepherd has a difficult job, navigating some of the more outdated themes from the show, such as his relationship with young leading lady Brooke Ashton (Lisa Ambalavanar) and stage manager Poppy Norton-Taylor (Nikhita Lesler), but he handles this well. The show keeps well within it’s 80s setting and some of the more controversial themes retain their humour without being offensive, as they are of their time.
The cast work together seamlessly to keep up the pace of the production and do not slip up once. They navigate multiple entrances, exits, props and a good dose of slapstick humour with ease. The first act feels slow to get going, but the comedic layers are being added to create a show that has us roaring with laughter by the end. Goddard’s sweet natured Dotty contrasts well with Dan Fredenburgh’s fiery leading man, Garry Lejeune. Fredenburgh’s excellent comic timing, and physicality, deliver many stand out hilarious moments in the show.
A show this chaotic needs a calming influence and Belinda Blair (Lucy Robinson) is just that. It is her ‘the show must go on’ attitude that gets the players through their rehearsal, and she continues to paper over the growing cracks all the way until the last fateful performance in Stockton-on-Tees. She delivers a high energy, authentic performance whilst maintaining the skittish quirks of Belinda. Her and her tax evading husband Frederick Fellowes (Simon Coates) are an excellent double act.
We reach the interval just as the cast have limped through their final run through. During the break the set is literally transformed, and we are now looking at the backstage areas of the show. Watching the show from the back allows us to appreciate the long-suffering crew, Tim Allgood (Daniel Rainford) and stage manager Poppy Norton-Taylor. As well as dealing with cast meltdowns, they often become unwilling understudies and must hide whiskey bottles from veteran regional performer, Selsdon Mowbray (Paul Bradley). Bradley’s Selsdon is laugh out loud funny and our eyes are drawn to him on a regular basis.
With the cast now feuding, the performance is a disaster for the actors. However, for the audience, the comedy nuggets from act one, become completely hilarious in act two. My sides are hurting from laughing so much as they limp through the performance and the curtains close.
The last chapter of the show takes us to the final performance of ‘Nothings On’ at Stockton-on-Tees. The cast move at such speed to create the chaos and just as you think it can’t get any more frantic, Garry Lejeune is knocked unconscious at the top of a staircase. The control that Fredenburgh exercises, to slide down the stairs so slowly, has me still laughing in my car on the way home.
In summary ‘Noises Off’ is a comedic whirlwind, with a very clever structure and a talented, energetic cast. If you settle in for the ride, it’s a roller coaster that will have you still laughing for days to come.
Lots of fun and the perfect tonic to the winter blues. (Just don’t forget the sardines!)
**** 4 stars