Stage Review Noises Off

Actor Simon Coates as Frederick Fellowes playing Philip Brent
in Noises Off 
At Birmingham Repertory Theatre

⭐⭐⭐

'A professional production with an exceptional cast'

This is a period piece belonging to late, last century, a couple of decades or so before smart phones and minimalist living were a thing and when people were more inclined to eat sardines rather than avocados. This play is a classic, theatrical farce where all the many doors are utilised to allow players to make their entrances and exits at timely and untimely moments for comedy's sake.

The Cast of Noises Off
which includes actor and TV personality and presenter, Matthew Kelly as Selsdon Mowbray (and as the burglar) 
Birmingham Repertory Theatre Aug/Sept 2023

Act I: and the stage set is a household interior on two levels (a set-within-a-set), it serves as our stage setting for the Noises Off audience of course, but also as a stage setting for our characters who are, ironically, members of a theatre company performing a play (in character) adding a third layer. The first act places them in the technical rehearsal of their touring show. The cast and crew are going through a final rundown before opening night, directed, somewhat frustratingly, by Lloyd (Simon Shepherd).

Actors Daniel Rainford and Nikhita Lesler in
Noises Off (2023)

A scene from Act II of Noises Off
Photograph by Pamela Raith

Act II: and the real Noises Off cast continue to perform as members of the fictional theatre company including stage-hands of whom we have been introduced. It is during the tour, at a matinee performance (which we do not see), we learn more of the dysfunction, the personalities, the mix of dynamics and of the gossip and antics that goes on behind (and beyond) the dressing room between the members themselves.

Dramatic irony elements occur in this act as the Noises Off audience knows, to some degree, the action and lines of fictional play having seen their rehearsal of it in the first act. Therefore, some of this has stuck in the mind and so there is a consciousness of something familiar being played out 'at a distance' and out of sight during Act II. However, due to the clever switch of the set at the first interval break (from front view to back view), the performance of the characters' matinee performance, is playing second fiddle to the off stage/backstage shenanigans and this is the main focus of this act.

Actors Lisa Ambalavanar as Brooke Ashton (playing Vicki)
and Dan Fredenburgh as Garry Lejeune (playing Roger)
in Noises Off

Act III: and we are ready for a straight up, last leg performance in Stockton-on-Tees, by the madcap players of their play in earnest. The rundown of this play we now know quite well, nevertheless we are also aware of the kind of things that goes on backstage between the players and the technicians on a personal level, so now we see how this plays out in public.

As expected, the whole thing comes crashing down! The timings are all out of kilter, props are not where they should be when and accidents occur. Lucy Robinson as Belinda (as Flavia) is working at improvising, others simply stand dumb struck and bewildered and Dotty appears to have given up the ghost with her character, Mrs Clackett (Liza Goddard).

Negative Comment

Despite the clever structure of this play and all the good work associated with all the fabulous elements of a farce to be enjoyed in this production, the script itself, in today's world, is unappealing and in Act I particularly is a little dull.

Positive Comment

Act II counterbalances any negativity felt after Act I, not in regard to the script as mentioned, but purely in terms of physical performances. The timings and tussles really work, as do the miming sequences. The mimes which convey pain, jealousy, anger and frustration in a backstage setting with a 'No Noise' ruling is incredible.

**ENDS**

Review by theatre critic, Debra Hall who attended press night of Noises Off at The Birmingham Repertory Theatre, on Tuesday 29 August, 2023 at 7pm

References

Birmingham Repertory Theatre - Press Release Noises Off (July 2023)


Birmingham Repertory Theatre Noises Off production photography (Aug 2023)


Production Photography by Pamela Raith


The Rep programme Noises Off (2023)

https://www.google.com/