Noises Off!
Brighton Open Air Theatre
Cue Fanfare
Michael Frayn‘s Noises Off takes a fond look at the follies of theatre folk, whose susceptibility to out-of-control egos, memory loss, and passionate affairs turn every performance into a high-risk adventure. This play-within-a-play captures a touring theatre troupe”s production of Nothing On in three stages: dress rehearsal, the opening performance, and a performance towards the end of a debilitating run. Frayn gives us a window into the inner workings of theatre behind the scenes, progressing from flubbed lines and missed cues in the dress rehearsal to mounting friction between cast members in the final performance. Brimming with slapstick comedy, Noises Off is a delightful backstage farce, complete with slamming doors, falling trousers, and — of course — flying sardines!
Cue Fanfare have a fine reputation for producing epic productions for Brighton’s Open-Air Theatre – including The 39 Nine Steps, The Ladykillers, Brief Encounter and more recently-the epic of all epics Ben Hur.
BUT – Noises Off must surely be the most ambitious project to date – simply because it is firmly set in the confinement of a regional theatre – onstage and backstage – and is very much a confined piece.
Act two – set backstage is virtually conducted in mime – with the minimum of dialogue – whilst the !onstage” action is heard in the background – thus adding an even more challenging dynamic. The piece demands absolute clarity in delivery, complete synchronicity in its direction and a skillful comedy timing to the ‘enth degree.
AND… Cue Fanfare rises to the challenge with gusto – and overcomes every technical issue with a first-rate cast, a simplified set and razor sharp direction in the hands of producer – Patric Kearns.
Reading the programme it is evident that the talent onstage is top notch with much of the cast having numerous touring/classical and West End credits to their names – and this is a cast at the top of their game.
Leading the cast as the beleaguered director of the play-within-the-play, Nothing On – Lloyd Dallas – is the director, himself – Patric Kearns. Kearns finely balances Dallas’s temperamental, exacting, and sarcastic nature, often frustrated by the cast’s incompetence and the chaos of rehearsals and his professional authority is constantly undermined by the actors’ antics and backstage mishaps. The result is a powerhouse performance.
Anna Brecon as Dotty Otley aka Mrs Clackett – the middle-aged television star frequently struggling with her lines and stage business – carries much of the plays comedic dysfunction and is as superb as she was in The Ladykillers and Brief Encounter. Her performance perfectly portrays a Grande dame style-akin to Julie Walters” iconic Mrs Overall.
Harry Hart as leading man Gary likewise combines his comedic stuttering and nervousness to add to the farcical confusion. Meg Forgan as Poppy Norton Taylor – the efficient and organised assistant stage manager beautifully serves as a stabilising presence amid the chaos.
Zoe Doano’s Brooke Ashton, the young, inexperienced London actress – often oblivious to the chaos around her, gives firm support in her role and gives a fine portrayal of empty-headedness and occasional meditation, which ironically makes her consistent in her role!
Leading the laughter stakes is Ben Roddy as actor Frederick Fellowes. A glance at his credits and expertise in the world of repertory, pantomime and touring theatre cements his fine contribution to the show’s pace and hilarity.
Making a welcome return to BOAT is as Selsdon Mowbray Peter Lovstrom – the elderly, half-deaf “pro” with a long, storied career and a drinking problem.
As usual, Cue Fanfare is well served by its props and costumes and the simple set construction solves the anticipated worry of a set with multiple doors. The only minor quibble I may have (and this may be due to the acoustic of BOAT from the back row) is that one misses an occasional section of the lady’s dialogue but due to playing characters within characters this can be forgiven given the logistics of an open-air venue.
The humour of Noises Off arises from the interplay between all this fine ensemble cast and portraying characters, both onstage and backstage is no easy feat. Romantic entanglements, professional rivalries, and personal quirks create escalating chaos, with doors slamming, props flying, and misunderstandings compounding throughout the three acts. Each actor”s character and personality amplify the farcical situations, making timing, entrances, and exits – central to the comedy appear effortless.
Catch this whilst you can – another fine contribution to Brighton”s iconic venue.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewer: David Rumelle