Theatre Review: “Noises Off” goes out with a bang
Fanshawe's St.Thomas/Elgin Campus' Theatre Arts - Technical Production Program's farewell performance is the meta-theatrical farcical comedy, “Noises Off.”
Written in 1982 by British playwright, Michael Frayn, the play is about a ragtag theatre company bent on perfecting an impromptu production of a very bad farce entitled “Nothing On,” in a period of two weeks, by any means necessary. The play was put to film in 1992, starring such tinsel town notables as Michael Caine and Carol Burnett. The St.Thomas/Elgin Campus' rendition is hilarious and thoroughly entertaining.
With the action ranging from uncomfortably incorrect (on purpose), to uproariously funny, to down right chaotic, from start to finish, the production is entertaining and thoroughly engaging.
Director Jim Schaefer, charged with the arduous task of instilling order and purpose within the theatrical bedlam that is farce, succeeds marvelously. The performance never came close to breaching the trap of disorganization that so many comedies fall victim to. But what is direction without players?
Shining with particular brightness are Josh Gorman, who plays the bumbling pratfaller with a mean, jealous streak, Gary Lejeune and the troupe gossip who tries until the bitter end to hold it all together, Belinda Blair, played by Tammy Sadler. The whole ensemble, however, were obviously meticulously rehearsed; passing props, fighting, falling and generally blundering about, all the while making it seem as natural as standing upright. Indeed, the cast's fastidious folly was only matched by the demanding dance performed by the stage crew between Acts.
As part of the plot, Act Two takes place on the backstage side of the “Nothing On” set. Consequently, the “Noises Off” set, a simple staircase scene with several genre-obligatory doors and terrifically loud, hand-painted wallpaper, designed by Stephen Degenstein, requires the ability to be turned around. A true testament to the technical abilities and practiced discipline of the Techinical Production students was the cooperation and downright skill with which the crew turned the beast-of-a-set around and then back again. It is truly unfortunate that a program that produces such obviously skilled graduates is soon to be no more.
Do not neglect your opportunity to experience the final fruits of the St.Thomas/Elgin Campus' Theatre Arts - Technical Production Program, “Noises Off.” As an added draw, if the comedy and set change acrobatics are not enough, the theatre itself is quite intimate, with a front row at stage level - a thrilling position to be in, especially if sitting in the extreme right wing as you will have to mind your feet for brusquely passing players. The show will be running until March 31 at 7:30 every night with two o'clock matinees on the 24 and 25. Tickets are a deal at twice the price as they are only $8, and are available at the door or can be reserved in advance by calling (519) 633-4424.
Written in 1982 by British playwright, Michael Frayn, the play is about a ragtag theatre company bent on perfecting an impromptu production of a very bad farce entitled “Nothing On,” in a period of two weeks, by any means necessary. The play was put to film in 1992, starring such tinsel town notables as Michael Caine and Carol Burnett. The St.Thomas/Elgin Campus' rendition is hilarious and thoroughly entertaining.
With the action ranging from uncomfortably incorrect (on purpose), to uproariously funny, to down right chaotic, from start to finish, the production is entertaining and thoroughly engaging.
Director Jim Schaefer, charged with the arduous task of instilling order and purpose within the theatrical bedlam that is farce, succeeds marvelously. The performance never came close to breaching the trap of disorganization that so many comedies fall victim to. But what is direction without players?
Shining with particular brightness are Josh Gorman, who plays the bumbling pratfaller with a mean, jealous streak, Gary Lejeune and the troupe gossip who tries until the bitter end to hold it all together, Belinda Blair, played by Tammy Sadler. The whole ensemble, however, were obviously meticulously rehearsed; passing props, fighting, falling and generally blundering about, all the while making it seem as natural as standing upright. Indeed, the cast's fastidious folly was only matched by the demanding dance performed by the stage crew between Acts.
As part of the plot, Act Two takes place on the backstage side of the “Nothing On” set. Consequently, the “Noises Off” set, a simple staircase scene with several genre-obligatory doors and terrifically loud, hand-painted wallpaper, designed by Stephen Degenstein, requires the ability to be turned around. A true testament to the technical abilities and practiced discipline of the Techinical Production students was the cooperation and downright skill with which the crew turned the beast-of-a-set around and then back again. It is truly unfortunate that a program that produces such obviously skilled graduates is soon to be no more.
Do not neglect your opportunity to experience the final fruits of the St.Thomas/Elgin Campus' Theatre Arts - Technical Production Program, “Noises Off.” As an added draw, if the comedy and set change acrobatics are not enough, the theatre itself is quite intimate, with a front row at stage level - a thrilling position to be in, especially if sitting in the extreme right wing as you will have to mind your feet for brusquely passing players. The show will be running until March 31 at 7:30 every night with two o'clock matinees on the 24 and 25. Tickets are a deal at twice the price as they are only $8, and are available at the door or can be reserved in advance by calling (519) 633-4424.
