Review: NOISES OFF, Theatre Royal Haymarket
Photo credit: Nobby Clark
The Theatre Royal Haymarket provides an appropriately grandiose setting for this 40th anniversary production of Noises Off. Michael Frayn’s 1982 play within a play is often credited as being one of the greatest British comedies ever written and Theatre Royal Bath have done an admirable job in upholding the farce’s reputation.
Lindsay Posner directs a stellar company of much loved British performers, but none of these can be accused of being cast for their names alone - the production is a masterpiece of farcical storytelling. The three-act play features every device one should expect from a farce; innuendo, misunderstandings, slapstick and countless ludicrous situations. And lots and lots of door slamming!
We first meet Dotty Otley as housekeeper Mrs Clackett (Felicity Kendal) entering a beautifully proportioned house, which we quickly learn is a theatre set. Dotty and her fellow cast mates are in the dress rehearsal for their touring production of “Nothing On” but it’s getting close to midnight and everyone is running out of patience. Dotty is soon joined by Garry as Roger (Mathew Horne) and Brooke as Viki (Sasha Frost) who play a couple keen to make use of the beautiful empty house in which the play within a play is set. Are you lost yet? We were!
The couple and the housekeeper are then joined in the house by Belinda, playing Mrs Brent (Tamzin Outhwaite) and Frederick playing Mr Brent (Jonathan Coy). Dotty remains the only person in the house that knows that all of the inhabitants are present. Add to this a burglar (James Fleet) and two exceptionally patient members of the Stage Management team and the expected chaos which ensues is hilarious.
It could be easy for such an intricate and complex plot to get lost amongst the utter chaos, but masterful writing, careful direction and consummate skill from the whole cast combine to ensure that Noises Off isn’t just riotously funny - it’s theatrical perfection.
Simon Higlett’s impressive set design is beautifully detailed and during act 2, when we see the backstage view, it is instantly familiar to anyone who has ventured upstage of the scenery in any mid scale receiving house across the country. The eight doors in the set are used to great comical effect , and demand a physicality from the cast that is exhausting to watch. Paul Pyant’s bright yet naturalistic lighting design lends itself well to the style of the piece, and the unobtrusive sound design by Greg Clarke is cleverly woven into the action. Plenty of actual “Noises Off” add to the maelstrom of mayhem taking place on the stage and are always perfectly timed.
Some of the written content does feel a little dated, which isn’t totally surprising for a play celebrating its 40th birthday. The gap between the second and third act is slightly too long for comfort, although understandable with the turnaround which is taking place behind the red velvet curtain. However, Noises Off is a shining example of its genre and will undoubtably have it’s audience in stitches during its run in this iconic venue.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Sarah Brown
Noises Off plays at Theatre Royal Haymarket until 16 December, with tickets available here.