Hilarity ensues in ‘Noises Off’
“Noises Off” by Michael Frayn, and directed by Genesius Artistic Producer, L J Fecho, opens March 31 at Genesius Theatre, 10th and Walnut streets, in Reading.
“Noises Off” is the ultimate play within a play. Some have hailed this as the greatest farce ever written and, Frank Rich of the NY Times called it “The funniest play written in my lifetime!”
“Noises Off” is a comedy about putting on a comedy. A rollicking backstage farce about a second-rate theatrical troupe that combines slapstick, a British sex comedy, and non-stop hilarity from a manic menagerie of itinerant actors rehearsing a flop called “Nothing On.” Doors slamming, misguided love, miscues, on and off-stage intrigue, and lots of plates of sardines all figure in the plot of this uproarious and classically-comic play which will have you roaring with laughter as the casts’ collective sanity slowly unravels. Yet, the show must go on; despite the catastrophe being played out on stage and the vicious antics among the actors backstage.
In the first act of “Noises Off,” opening night is just hours away, and the hapless cast of “Nothing On” struggles to complete a dress rehearsal of their ill-fated play. Each of the three acts of “Noises Off” contains a performance of the first act of “Nothing On.” Much of the comedy emerges from the subtle variations in each version as off-stage chaos affects on-stage performance, with a great deal of running, jumping and falling down.
The idea for the play came to Frayn after he was inspired by watching a performance of a farce in the wings of a theater in England. According to Frayn, “What I saw backstage was actually funnier than what was onstage.” The play was an immediate hit in 1982 and has been wildly popular ever since. It has become a staple of both professional and community theatres alike and it has earned Tony Award nominations for Best Play and won a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble.
The cast is chockfull of local veteran talent, some of the best in the region. The cast includes: Christine Cieplinski as Dotty, Daniel Smith as Lloyd, James Haggerty as Garry, Julia Elberfeld as Brook Ashton, Joey Moray as Frederick, Beth Linzer as Belinda, Steve Reazor as Selsdon, Kelly Moray as Poppy and Jeffrey Jones as Tim. The production stage manager is Hunter-Willow Jones.
One of the most challenging aspects of producing “Noises Off” is the construction of the set. It has to be capable of being completely reversed for Act Two and then re-reversed in Act Three. The complicated set for “Noises Off” is designed by Brandon Kegerize, L J Fecho and Spencer Moss Fecho and constructed by John Bigos and Betty Gerstner. Building this set was difficult at Genesius, because of the limited space between the existing balcony sides at the theater. “Everything was built within in an inch of its life” Fecho said. In addition to that complication the next play at Genesius is “August: Osage County,” which opens just two and half weeks after “Noises Off” closes. The August Osage set is a large house-like structure, similar to “Noises Off,” but different in many ways, so both sets had to be designed with both plays in mind to make the changeover quickly and easily.
“Noises Off” opens Friday, March 31 and runs April 1, 2, 3,5, 6, 7, 8, 9 – show times are 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, Wednesday and Thursday performances and at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Prices range - $25 for adults and $17.50 for students (must have student ID). For tickets, please visit www. genesiusdifference.org; 610373-9500 – credit card fees apply. Tickets are also available at the door.
The play is rated PG 13 for sexual innuendo and adult situations.
Genesius Theatre, located at 153 North 10th St., in Reading, is handicapped accessible and there is free parking (limited spaces available) next to the theater. For more information, call the theater at 610-371-8151.