The words humour, chaos, confusion and mayhem could be best used to describe the hilarious production Noises Off.
Now showing at the Oxford Playhouse Fri 23rd to Saturday 24th February, Michael Frayn’s celebrated play within a play is a perfectly timed masterpiece.
Noises off is the story of the on and off-stage antics of a touring theatre company stumbling their way through the fictional farce, Nothing On. Dotty Otley (Liza Goddard) opens the show, but pretty soon the director Lloyd Dallas (Simon Shepherd) is shouting at her – it’s all phones, doors and sardines!
This sets the scene for the evening! Lloyd is desperately trying to corral the cast (a little like herding kittens) to run through a final dress rehearsal of the play before it opens the following day. But his frustration mounts as the cast members personal problems begin to impact the production.
The first act sets up the second half which had us belly laughing throughout. All manner of issues are going on behind the scenes as the actors attempt to put on the show!
The two-timing director attempts to walk the tightrope between his two lovers, both part of the team; meanwhile the rest of the cast is desperately trying to keep the alcoholic burglar Selsdon Mowbray (Paul Bradley) away from a bottle of whiskey. The lovers Garry Lejeune (Dan Fredenburgh) and Dotty have had a tiff. And then there’s Frederick Fellowes (Simon Coates) whose split from his wife, can’t deal with the threat of violence and every time he feels threatened he gets nose bleed but doesn’t like sight of blood – you get the gist.
But in true ‘the show must go on spirit’ and to our hilarity, the cast do their best to be on stage at their appointed time despite life behind the scenes crumbling fast.
There are some great one liners, plenty of double-entendres and farcical fun. This really is a brilliantly put together piece of theatre! The nine-strong cast do not stop – it’s fast and hilarious with spot on timing – it really is belly-laughing fun.
Tickets for Noises Off at Oxford Playhouse start from £14 and are available from Box Office: 01865 305305 or book online at www.oxfordplayhouse.com
Who in the cast
One of the UK’s favourite actresses, Liza Goddard’s extensive stage comedy credits include Life of Riley, Communicating Doors, Season’s Greetings and Relatively Speaking.
Paul Bradley is best known for playing Nigel Bates in EastEnders and Elliot Hope in Holby City.
Simon Shepherd’s many credits include Peak Practice and the West End productions of Posh, The Duck House, Rapture, Art and Hay Fever.
