Acting’s been a good life for ‘blessed’ star
JEFFREY DAVIES chats to Felicity Kendal about the new staging of Noises Off, the comedy craft… and, of course, that legendary television sitcom that made her a household name
THE 40th anniversary staging of Noises Off, one of the greatest – and funniest – British comedies ever written, is set to open in Bath next week ahead of its much-anticipated appearance in the West End.
From the pen of acclaimed playwright Michael Frayn, the stellar cast is led by perennial stage and TV favourites Felicity Kendal, Jonathan Coy, Matthew Kelly and Tracy-ann Oberman.
Frayn’s play, presented by Theatre Royal Bath Productions, serves up a riotous doublebill; a play within a play. Hurtling along at breakneck speed, ‘the ultimate comedy of theatrical chaos and confusion’ with the ‘power to reduce adults to hysterical, helpless laughter’, follows the on and off-stage antics of a touring theatre company as they stumble their way through the fictional farce, Nothing On.
It moves from the shambolic final rehearsals before opening night in Weston-super-mare to a disastrous matinee in Ashton-under-lyne, which is seen entirely and hilariously silently from backstage before audiences share their final, catastrophic performance in
Stockton-on-tees.
It is the perfect tonic for anyone wishing to escape the rigours of everyday life for a couple of hours, I suggested to Felicity Kendal during a welldeserved break in rehearsals.
“Yes, it’s a very good comedy. A very clever farce. It’s a difficult but very complicated structure to actually work on. But very simple when you watch it. Hopefully we’ll do it justice,” said the actress, best remembered for her role as Barbara Good in the ’70s TV sitcom, The Good Life.
Comedy. Farce. What is the essential difference between the two genres?
“Well I wouldn’t like to pontificate about that because I’m not a philosopher or a master of English literature,” Felicity laughed.
“But in the theatre a farce is taken just to the extreme. The situations the characters are in is usually more extreme as well. Farce is heightened reality speeded up and condensed, whereas a comedy can be natural speed and emotionally charged. So farce really is a heightened version of a comedy.”
Felicity plays Dotty Otley in this, her latest stage incarnation.
“The character is an ageing actress who, like many, many leading ladies, is trying to continue working when they are passed their sell-by date,” she said. “Basically she is a very, very dyed-inthe wool theatre person who is putting on a play that is not very good. She just loves the theatrical life and wants to keep working. However, things go wrong, as they do in a farce, which is another definition of the word [farce]!”
One of this country’s most celebrated playwrights, Michael Frayn’s plays still resonate with audiences and are as popular as ever.
“He’s an extremely intelligent
and very gifted writer. He knows the craft of theatre, which is really almost impossible to define. It is inspiration as much as anything else, with an understanding of actually what mathematically works in the theatre.”
Comedy or a straight play or drama… which is the harder to perform?
“That is very definitely different with every actor,” Felicity replied. “I don’t think there’s a blanket answer to that question. Some people find comedy easier than tragedy to play. And vice-versa. I think the difficulty with comedy is that you can hear whether you have got it right at the time you are doing it. And with tragedy
I know every little bit of that most beautiful theatre. Every door knob. I feel absolutely at home when I’m there. I love the Theatre Royal, as every actor does
Felicity Kendal
you can have a wonderful time thinking everyone is moved and you never quite realise how they are not.”
A versatile actress on stage and screen, does Felicity feel that the art of comedy acting comes easily to her, that it is within her proverbial comfort zone?
“I’m comfortable with it, yes. But that’s because I’ve had a lot of experience with it. With any kind of theatre, it is a combination. Some people with less experience have an instinct for comedy. The thing is experience turns into instinct; you just know what will work and what will be funny.
“Of course, people come to it from different angles, trying to get a laugh and to get it right. My definition of funny is something that is not trying to be funny. But that is a personal thing. I find comedy equally difficult because I try to get it real and funny whereas when it’s a real thing you try to get it real. But it really depends on the piece you’re doing – the play you’re doing – because some plays are easier than some comedies. So it’s really not one set. It’s not how to make a stew!”
Born in Olton in the West Midlands, Felicity’s many screen roles include Gemma in Solo, Helena in The Camomile Lawn, Maxine in The Mistress (which was filmed in Bath), and Rosemary in ITV’S Rosemary & Thyme. She is also remembered for taking part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2010.
No chat with her could possibly end without making reference to the ratings-winning TV sitcom that made her a much-loved household name – The Good Life, in which she starred with Richard Briers, Penelope Keith and Paul Eddington.
“Oh yes. It was a very, very special, lovely and happy time,” she recalled fondly.
Would it be possible for Felicity to choose one or two highlights from her impressive theatre and television credits?
“Not really. Everything is special in a particular time. I wouldn’t look back and think that that was a time that I was happiest. Certainly new plays to me are the cherry on the cake and always have been. I’ve always loved doing a new play by a good writer. I did those with great pride and joy. So collectively I would say they were the highlights for me. It wouldn’t be one play.”
No stranger to Bath and the Theatre Royal, it must be like a case of home from home for her now, I remarked.
“Absolutely. I know every little bit of that most beautiful theatre. Every door knob. I feel absolutely at home when I’m there. I love the Theatre Royal, as every actor does. The audiences in Bath are always very special. The theatre is part of their society. And you feel that. It has a definite atmosphere.”
Is ‘blessed’ a fair way to sum up her acting career, which started when she was at school?
“I do feel very blessed to be in this business, I really do. I just love it. And the worst thing that can happen is if you’re in something that you know is not
going to work to the level that you hoped. But then that can happen in any job.” Appearing on stage with Felicity in Noises Off are Matthew Kelly, Jonathan Coy and Tracy-ann Oberman. Matthew won the Olivier Award for Of Mice and Men, Jonathan played George Murray in Downton Abbey and Tracyann is well known for her role as Chrissy Watts in Eastenders. Lindsay Posner is one of this country’s most accomplished directors of comedy. His previous production of Noises Off enjoyed a sell-out run at London’s Old Vic. An award-winning novelist and journalist, Michael Frayn wrote Noises Off after watching, from the wings, his 1970 farce The Two of Us, starring Richard Briers and Lynn Redgrave, noting that the goings-on behind the scenes were funnier than out front! The original production opened in London in 1982 before becoming a worldwide hit. Noises Off was made into a film starring Michael Caine, Carol Burnett and Christopher Reeve in 1992.
Noises Off is playing the Theatre Royal Bath from September 22 to October 1. Tickets can be booked on 01225 448844 or online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk