Noises Off
Photo: Craig Fuller Photography
Review by Martine Silkstone
The classic farce ‘Noises Off’ is currently playing at the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich and, quite frankly, it’s just what everyone needs right now!
It’s hilarious, clever, beautifully performed and buzzing with a joyous light energy - all the ingredients of a fun night out and one guaranteed to lift even the most stubborn of spirits.
Funny story…
This celebrated comedy by Michael Frayn was apparently inspired by a performance of another farce that he had written for Lynn Redgrave, which he said was “funnier from behind than in front”.
But I digress…
In this play, we are taken behind the curtain of a chaotic touring theatre company who are desperately trying to keep their performance together while everything around them falls apart. It has all the usual misunderstanding, romantic shenanigans and slapstick you’d expect of a farce - and then some - but so well written and directed that it never tips over into being just silly nonsense which is always a risk with this kind of show.
We open with their frantic, last-minute rehearsals in Weston-super-Mare, as the exasperated, disdainful director, Lloyd Dallas (Harry Long), tries to get everyone ready for their first performance which is just hours away. Things are not going well, but the actors are doing their very best to run their lines despite Lloyd’s sarcastic instruction from the gallery above.
Now, running through the ‘play-within-a-play’ is such a clever way to begin the story arc, as it really sets the scene for all the calamity to come. Without lots of exposition to slow the fun, we are quickly introduced to the characters and their show, and can therefore enjoy how it is clearly falling apart as things progress.
Photo: Craig Fuller Photography
After the interval, we are transported behind the scenes and witness the anarchy unfolding back-stage as their play reaches Ashton-under-Lyne. Relationships spark jealousy, revenge is a catalyst for disaster, and where they put a cactus is nobody’s business - yet still the show must go on.
Then, in the final act, we are the audience once more as the players reach Stockton-on-Tees for one final, disastrous performance.
It is a masterclass in farce - whether we are front of house or backstage, we know exactly what is happening and, more importantly, how it is going spectacularly wrong.
All congratulations to the fabulous ensemble cast.
Hisham Abdel Razek is suitably unassuming as Frederick Fellowes, Clare-Louise English is calmly sensible as Belinda Blair, Ezra Alexander is all quiet frustration as the overworked Tim, Russell Richardson is wonderfully wicked as Selsdon, Gemma Salter is a woman quietly on the edge as Poppy, and Hilary Maclean does ‘subtle mental breakdown’ so well as Dotty Otley.
All absolutely marvellous with bags of charisma and the most fantastic comic timing - bravo.
But hats-off to Ailsa Joy as Brooke Ashton and George Kemp as Gary Lejeune. These two give the most amazing physical performance - sometimes quite subtle, sometimes an energetic tribute to their fitness! - and I love the slow deterioration of their characters as, determined to carry on regardless, they keep going with the script despite literally and figuratively losing the plot.
Genius.
Photo: Craig Fuller Photography
All compliments to the stage crew too. Twice we see them reverse the whole set - a great design by Clio Van Aerde - to change our perspective, and it was interesting to see them at work, so efficient and well-choreographed. With the staging such an intrinsic part of proceedings, they fully deserved their round of applause when finished.
So…a great play with a great cast and great staging - what else is there to say?
I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Note: I am always slightly disappointed when there isn’t the option of a printed program. I love reading about a show during the interval and then keeping the program as a momento of an enjoyable evening. I understand all the reasons why a digital version is offered instead - financial, environmental - but I still miss a tangible product. #justsaying
Noises Off is at New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich until May 24.
FOR SHOW DETAILS AND BOOKING LINK, CLICK HERE