November/December 2010 Production

Noises Off!

Written by Michael Frayn and Directed by Gee Rook

Synopsis

Called the funniest farce ever written, Noises Off presents a manic menagerie as a cast of itinerant actors rehearsing a flop called Nothing's On. Doors slamming, on and offstage intrigue, and an errant sardine all figure in the plot of this hilarious and classically comic play.

Noises Off begins the night before a regional company of a new farce, Nothing On, opens for its first performance in Weston-super-Mare. Director Lloyd Dallas is trying to get his cast through a technical dress rehearsal, but they keep interrupting it with questions and problems. The plot of the first act of Nothing On is that the housekeeper of a country home, Mrs. Clackett (played by Dotty), is trying to enjoy some sardines in front of the television. She is interrupted by Roger Tramplemain (played by Garry), who is escorted by Vicki (portrayed by Brooke). Roger and Vicki want a private rendezvous and ask Mrs. Clackett not to tell anyone they’re there. As they sneak off to one of the bedrooms, Philip and Flavia (portrayed by Freddy and Belinda) arrive to hide from impending tax fraud charges. They likewise ask Mrs. Clackett to keep their presence a secret, and the result is a series of mistaken identities, slamming doors, and lost plates of sardines.