Review: Noises Off
Ever wondered what goes on backstage during a play? Well Michael Frayn’s 1982 hilarious farce “Noises Off” may or may not give us a glimpse.
I must admit that I’ve seen “Noises Off” probably four times previously and still I’m not tired of it.
This latest offering is a Theatre by the Lake, New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich, Queens Theatre Hornchurch and Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg production and is currently playing at Ipswich’s New Wolsey until 24th May.
Noises Off revolves around a touring theatre company as they prepare for their latest stop on a long tour. Set over three acts, in the first we meet the various actors as they go through last minute rehearsals with actors forgetting their lines, scenery and props not working and rifts between the actors.
At the end of Act 1 it’s almost worth staying to watch the stage crew change the set so that it’s turned around allowing us to see backstage and the ensuing confusion and mayhem that comes in Act 2.
Having witnessed the second act another quick revolve of the set and in the final part we see the performance as audience members but knowing of the chaos backstage which slowly spills to stage itself.
Performing is an art to deliberately perform badly and make it look convincing is in my mind a greater art (remember Les Dawson’s awful piano playing).
The cast pull the whole thing off perfectly badly in a perfectly good way!
George Kemp’s performance in the final Act is particularly impressive.
Even the show’s stage crew got a well-deserved round of applause.
If you want a really fun and chaotic evening go see it, it’s truly awful in the best possible way!
Noises Off is at The New Wolsey until 24th May and then on tour – tickets www.wolseytheatre.co.uk
Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from Wednesday 28 May – Saturday 7 June
Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg from Friday 13 – Sunday 15 June
Theatre by the Lake from Wednesday 25 June – Saturday 26 July.
Review: Mark Keable, Ipswich24 Magazine
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