It is always a delight to have the opportunity to watch this play, whilst the plot revolves around a poor-quality production with an inept cast; the brilliance is that unless the actual cast are not at the top of their game it simply does not work.
Joseph Millson as Garry Lejeune, Felicity Kendal as Dotty Otley and Matthew Kelly as Selsdon Mowbray in Noises Off | Photo © Nobby Clark
Theatre Royal is blessed with a stellar cast who make it all look so very easy.
The play within a play travels at huge speed. The hapless cast are working on a fictional farce “Nothing On” and we view this from final rehearsal, then backstage and finally on one of the final performances of their tour.
The chaos and pace is baffling. Expertly directed by Lindsay Posner with some fine physical theatre from Movement and Fight Director Ruth Copper-Brown.
This is a classic farce full of fun, face-aching laughter and just a fantastic production of an absolute classic.
Felicity Kendal (Dotty) is on glorious form as the housekeeper, unable to remember her sardines. Alexander Hanson (Lloyd Dallas) their woeful director swings from counsellor to lover and is prepared to do anything to keep his show on the road.
Joseph Millson as Garry Lejeune is a show-stealing delight. His decline across the three acts is a masterclass in comedic acting. His physicality become more disconnected whilst his career escapes from his grasp.
There is so much to enjoy, Tracy-Ann Oberman (Belinda Blair) is the general mother and gossip of the company whilst Sasha Frost (Brooke Ashton) is unable to improvise her way out of the collapsing plot and antics of the third act.
Simon Higlett has designed a visual treat of a third-rate production; from each angle it is perfect and all credit to the stage crew for the lighting quick change from Act 2 to Act 3; not easy without the traditional revolve.
It is the perfect escape from the woeful news spinning around us, would be wonderful if it could be on prescription but if you are looking for a treat this week, you will struggle to find anything better than this.
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Reviewer: Petra Schofield
