Crucible Theatre, Sheffield – until Saturday 2nd December
Reviewed by Carol Crann
4****
Noises Off was written in 1982 by Michael Frayne, who realised – after watching a farce from the wings – that it was actually funnier from backstage. It’s named after a stage direction that refers to the sounds heard offstage, and is performed in three parts.
The first joins the technical rehearsal of a farce called Nothing On, following the tribulations of a dysfunctional cast just before opening night. It takes place in a house that is supposedly empty, empty except for housekeeper, Mrs Clackett. She’s played by Dotty (Liza Goddard), and her role develops as characters appear for numerous dubious reasons.
You’ve then got estate agent, Roger Tramplemain, who is portrayed by Garry (Dan Fredenburgh), and is an accomplished, but insecure actor that’s actually in a relationship with Dotty. Tramplemain arrives with a young lady (Lisa Ambalanar) that he’s trying to seduce, and who – in the true tradition of farce – ends up in her underwear.
When the owners of the property arrive home from Spain, doing so under wraps as to not alert the taxman, you meet Philip and Flavia – played by Freddie (Simon Coates) and Belinda (Lucy Robinson). Both have their own idiosyncrasies which the audience see gradually deteriorate throughout the run.
There is also an appearance towards the end of an aging and tired burglar, played by Selsdon (Matthew Kelly), who happens to be partially deaf with a serious drinking problem. And who is the one trying to pull the whole performance together? That would be the director, Lloyd Dallas (Simon Shepherd), whose relationships with a couple of the younger team members later leads to chaos.
Part two shows the performance. It’s a midweek matinee, but the audience sees it from the backstage perspective, showing how the relationships between the cast members has deteriorated and how that has impacted on the performance. It is full of slapstick comedy as the actors turn on each other with the stage manager, Tim (Daniel Rainford), and his assistant, Poppy (Nikhita Leslar), desperately trying to keep the show on track amidst the mayhem – as well as being understudies.
The final act? That takes place towards the end of the run, just as everything starts to breakdown. Relationships between all the cast and stage crew are marred by jealousy and personal differences, the set is starting to fall apart, and props either end up in the wrong place or go missing completely. Everyone tries to keep the show on course, of course, but inevitably this leads to more slapstick, more disasters and ultimately complete ad-libbing in order to try and save the show.
Throughout the performance there is a lot of excellent comic timing shown by all the individuals with all the elements of a farce clearly demonstrated. Cast members trousers falling down, the inevitable trips and falls and the constant reference to plates of sardines which otherwise has no relevance in the play.
If you’re a lover of slapstick and farce then this is definitely a show to go and see. At times the audience were left laughing uncontrollably at the resulting chaos unfolding on stage – and what better seal of approval could you ask for?