York Theatre Royal – until Saturday 4th November 2023
Reviewed by Michelle Richardson
4****
Theatre Royal Bath Productions of Noises Off is currently playing at York Theatre Royal this week. Written by Michael Frayn, it was first performed in 1982, it is a play within a play, a sex comedy romp about a touring production of Nothing On.
Set in three acts, Act One is set in a theatre, it’s very late, with the cast performing the final, or maybe the technical rehearsal, of an upcoming production of Nothing On, all involved cannot quite make their minds up. With only a day left nothing is going to plan, the cast are under rehearsed, fixating on immaterial things, whilst everything is falling apart all around them, a perfect chaotic storm.
The show follows a housekeeper, played by Dotty Otley (Liza Goodard), who looks after a house owned by a couple in tax exile, played by Frederick (Simon Coates) and Belinda (Lucy Robinson). Unfortunately, her peace and quiet is shattered by the arrival estate agent and his bit of squeeze, played by Garry (Mark Middleton) and Brooke (Lisa Ambalavanar). Then the unexpected arrival of her employers truly puts a spanner in the works, as well as the appearance of the old sot of a burglar played by Selsdon (Matthew Kelly). Unfortunately for the lothario director Lloyd (Simon Shepherd), the actors can’t stick to the script. He becomes increasingly more exasperated with what is unfolding before his eyes, with so little time until opening night.
Act Two we get to see backstage on the opening night. Even with stage manage Poppy (Nikhita Lesler) and technician Tim (Daniel Rainford) attempting to hold things together it has all gone horribly wrong. We have missing actors, jealousy and misunderstandings run rampant, but still the show must go on. We only get to see behind the scenes and the curtain rising.
As the show is in progress the off-stage actors have to mouth and gesticulate in order to communicate. Frustration and revenge lead to some hilarious moments. The choreography involved with the axe wielding, all the doors opening and slamming, was magnificent to watch. This act had all the audience laughing at the antics playing in front us.
Act Three is the final show of the run. Things have obviously deteriorated throughout the tour. The cast are really on their last legs, in Dotty’s case hers is bandaged up. Relationships have broken down, the script is out of the window, props all over the place, chaos ensues.
During opening night, the theatre had a bit of a malfunction with the stage curtain. The stage manager came on stage between Act Two and Three to apologise and make us aware of this problem, only thing is that I’m not too sure if that was real or part of the show. Even after the apology, was this just part of the act? It fitted right into the story, so it could be.
This show gives the strong cast the opportunity to showcase their comic talents with their over exaggerated portrayals. It is full of slapstick, trousers around the ankles, an overacting actress, you get the gist. Shout out to Middleton for his physical comedy when his shoe laces were tied, and Robinson with her stage energy and ethos of the show must go on.
You cannot help but laugh along with this show, with all the chaos, door slamming and sardines. How on earth sardines play a pivotal role in this show is anyone’s guess, absurd, but that just makes it even funnier. A great night out and a masterclass in farce.