NOISES OFF at the Ottawa Little Theatre – not quite on.
Photo. Maria Vartanova
Michael Frayn’s three-act backstage farce about farce has been called the funniest comedy ever written. For first-time viewers who love the genre, maybe so, but Noises Off is also notoriously difficult to stage effectively.
Lampooning a bad play-within-a-play, Noises off features a group of weak actors at war with each other, touring a traditional sex farce called Nothing On. All the usual attributes, primarily the shedding of clothes and the constant rushing in and out of many doors are highlighted. The fact that Frayn calls for a two-level set that must be viewed from the audience and backstage perspectives at various times during the three-acts complicates matters further. Added to this, the real drama takes place behind the scenes as the Noises Off reveal love triangles and sexual liaisons gone awry and the actors seek revenge by sabotaging fellow cast members.
Act I, the dress rehearsal of Nothing On, demonstrates that the show is definitely not ready to go on. Act II, the behind-the-scenes, bared-teeth segment, shows why, and Act III, as the tour of Nothing On reaches its ragged end, descends into total pandemonium.
As with any farce, precise timing is everything. And, in Noises Off, this frequently means purposely mistiming to demonstrate just how chaotic the company of Nothing On has become, while attempting to fulfill the show-business mantra that the show must go on.
As directed by Richard Elichuk, the Ottawa Little Theatre production of the 31-year-old comedy builds to an appropriately frenetic pace and keeps the audience laughing throughout. Cast members present clear distinctions between the Nothing On and main characterizations. As the director of the disastrous Nothing On, Geoff Gruson is increasingly frazzled, while Sarah Hearn has fun as both Dotty the charwoman and the aging vamp of the company. Meanwhile, Dianna Renee Yorke, as the company gossip and fixer, does her best to prevent Nothing On from total collapse and Barry Caiger, as the company drunk, focuses on finding hidden bottles.
However, despite the obvious major efforts and carefully choreographed, well-executed moves, Noises Off did not quite click on opening night, but seems on the point of blossoming in later performances.
Noises Off continues at Ottawa Little Theatre to July 20.
Noises Off
By Michael Frayn
Ottawa Little Theatre
Director: Richard Elichuk
Set: Tom Pidgeon and Robin Riddihough
Lighting: John Solman
Sound:Robert Krukowski
Costumes: Peggy Laverty
Cast:
Dotty/Mrs. Clackett……………………………Sarah Hearn
Lloyd/Director…………………………………Geoff Gruson
Garry/Roger Tramplemain…………………….Shaun Toohey
Brooke/Vicki…………………………………..Dana Truelove
Poppy/ASM……………………………………Danielle Washam
Frederick/Philip Brent…………………………Josh Sparks
Belinda/Flavia Brent…………………………..Dianna Renee Yorke
Tim/Company SM…………………………..…Tim Ginley
Selsdon/Burglar………………………………..Barry Caiger