REVIEW: Noises Off, A Whirlwind of Silliness

Called the funniest British farce ever written, I can attest that Noises Off is over-the-top hysterical.  This British back-stage view of a theater production is a fast-paced, laugh a minute, play-within-a-play.  The highly recommended production, by my favorite little theater company in Washington DC, The Keegan Theatre, is a must see for anyone who loves to laugh.

The story is about a somewhat talentless British theater group, a collection of wacky  and temperamental actors. They are attempting to put on what the Director feels might be the company’s biggest flop ever, a dreadfully bad sex romp called Nothing’s On, about a disappearing plate of sardines all set in an English country house.

The three act story takes us first to a dress rehearsal as the clueless cast, having yet to learn their lines, torment the show’s Director the evening before opening night.

Simultaneously, he must deal with a clueless and needy sex kitten, an inarticulate and stuttering knucklehead, one actor who’s more interested in sitting at the local pub than rehearsing his lines and the classic question form an actor… “what’s my motivation?”

As the sexual liaisons multiplies and the friction among the cast grows, the backstage jealousy and bickering turns the production into chaos.  The next two scenes take you on a whirlwind escapade of hilarity as the first act is replayed from different perspectives over the next few months.  The show progresses from an initially coherent, yet bad story, to a total disaster with the actors making up lines as they go along as the play fumble along towards its final performance.

Slamming doors, backstage spills, jealous rages, forgotten lines, intrigue, and actors who go missing in action at curtain time make the final act a comedy of calamity and disaster.

The cast includes Charlotte Akin as Dottie, the play’s financier and aging stage actress. Akin is magnificent as the crotchety and sarcastic housekeeper, delivering line after line of witty dialogue with perfect timing.   Jim Jorgensen and his booming voice effectively plays Lloyd Dallas, the show’s frustrated Director and womanizer.

Brianna Letourneau is over-the-top funny as the show-stealing and skimpy lingerie wearing bimbo, Brooke. Her “natural” cluelessness, paired with her deer-in-the-headlights stage presence comes off so naturally and absolutely hysterically, that she’s a true delight to watch.  Of the 4 or 5 productions of Noises Off I’ve attended over the years, her portrayal took the role to a new (and delightful) level of silliness.

The rest of the cast is as usual solid, including the always strong Michael Innocenti, as Gary the jilted lover who can never finish a sentence, and Robert Leembruggen, as the ever-inebriated cat burglar and veteran actor.

Noises Off is controlled pandemonium on stage.  It’s Faulty Towers on steroids.  So if you need a good laugh this summer, Noises Off is a must see as the roller coaster ride  leaves you with your eyes watering from laughter and strangely…a desire for a nice plate of sardines.

Noises Off presented by The Keegan Theatre — Church Street Theater, 1742 Church Street, NW, Washington DC  (map)

Dates & Times – Through August 22, 2010. Performances are Thursdays – Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m.  NOTE:  Performances have been extended until August 29th.

Tickets – $30.00, Seniors and students – $25.00, and are available online, by phone at 703-892-0202 or via e-mail at boxoffice@keegantheatre.com

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Dupont Circle – Red line, then a 3-block walk.

Parking – Free and metered street and paid garage parking is available in the area.  NOTE:  If parking on Church Street, check multiple parking signs to avoid being ticketed.

Images – courtesy of The Keegan Theatre.

The author received a complimentary ticket to the destination; the opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author.