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Wednesday January 10, 2024
Noises Off
I've seen a couple of productions of this play (plus the film) and - despite reports from others of "rolling in the aisles" I never found it very funny.
This production at Chichester, however, did indeed see me laughing out loud, and it really does need to be seen on stage - the film can never give you the same delightful live view of the backstage mayhem that ensues while the play-in-the-play continues to be delivered on cue to the imaginary audience with all cast and crew dealing with personal crises.
I did feel that some of the reviews rather missed the point in suggesting that it is a play that would appeal to an audience of "a certain age". [Although they were spot on apparently as I and most of the matinee audience were of that certain age and did seen to be enjoying it!] The play-in-the-play ("Nothing On") is a farce, and I suppose that along with the slightly slapstick humour might drive you to a conclusion about the demographic - but really it's a play about staging a play... with slapstick humour...
Anyway - splendidly staged with immaculate timing all round. The run at CFT is now over but you may be able to catch it at other venues on tour.
Posted by Christina at 9:06 PM. Category: Art and Culture
