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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Noises Off
Verdict: Frantic comedy farce
London - Piccadilly Theatre - 4 August-18 October 03
National Tour - Feb-July 03
Noises Off - a frantic comedy farce - follows the final rehearsal and first night of a show called ‘Nothing On’ (writes Samantha Darling).
The cast struggle through late-night panics before going on-stage at The Grand Theatre, Weston-Super-Mare. Dotty Otley (Cheryl Campbell) plays Mrs Clackett, a feisty housekeeper - she's fumbling words and cues. Frederick 'Freddy' Fellowes (Paul Bradley), playing Philip Brent, falls into an actorly crisis. He needs motivation - to walk through the door. Director Lloyd Dallas (Philip Franks) is about to boil over.
Super-smooth Garry Lejeune (James Albrecht) is estate agent Roger Tramplemain. He's calm with the director, only to lose it with Freddy on-stage. Fragile, sensitive Freddy constantly winds Garry up. It's unknowing on Freddy's part, and the tension that mounts between them creates glorious comedy.
Vacant blonde Brooke Ashton (Tilly Gaunt) plays Vicki - concentrating only on her own lines. She's slow and demure, blind to everything going on around her. The tempo on stage increases to frenzy as the characters compliment but clash with each other.
Senior cast member Selsdon Mowbray (Sylvester McCoy) plays a burglar, and keeps everyone on the edge of panic. Selsdon is losing mind and hearing, missing words and cues.
It's the first night. Chaos. Trousers lose elastic, lines are forgotten, actors fall over. Belinda Blair (Tessa Churchard), playing Flavia Brent, remains serene. But claws are drawn as - behind the scenes - Belinda and Dotty fight over Freddy. Stage Hand Tim Allgood (Andrew Pointon) gets caught in a love triangle between director Lloyd, and Assistant Stage Manager Poppy (Nicky Callanan).
Noises Off casts an acute eye backstage with sharp comic vision. Guaranteed to appeal equally to anyone who's sat in an audience and wondered what happens behind the backdrop, and to actors themselves, it's a merciless view of what can and does go - disastrously - wrong.
The current production succeeds from the skill of a remarkable cast. It's directed with a clear vision of the play's humour. The production has an instant comic appeal - and worth seeing twice for the subtle depth of its humour.
Noises Off is currently in London's West End
Cast Credits: (alpha order):
James Albrecht (Garry Lejeune as Roger Tramplemain), Paul Bradley (Frederick Fellowes as Philip Brent), Nicky Callanan (Poppy Norton-Taylor), Cheryl Campbell (Dotty Otley as Mrs Clacett), Tessa Churchard (Belinda Blair as Flavia Brent), Philip Franks (Lloyd Dallas), Tilly Gaunt (Brooke Ashton as Vicki), Sylvester McCoy (Selsdon Mowbray as Burglar), Andrew Pointon (Tim Allgood),
Crew Credits: Director - Jeremy Sams. Associate Director - Anna Linstrum. Design - Robert Jones. Lighting Design - Tim Mitchell. Sound Design - Fergus O’Hare. Production Manager - Digby Robinson. Fights and Movement - Malcom Ransom. Stunt Falls - Roy Alon. Company Manager - Lloyd Martin. Assistant Stage Managers - Thomas Vowles, Steven Wilkins. Wardrobe Master - Martin de Cerjat. Production Carpenter - Phil Large. Production Electrician - Barry Hope. Writer - Michael Frayn.
END
Samantha Darling
reviewed 21 July 03 / Cheltenham / Everyman Theatre
(c) Samantha Darling 2003
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
