Saint John Theatre Company’s production of Noises Off opens a can of sardines and takes audience members on a chaotic adventure of life behind the curtain.
English Playwright Michael Frayn created Noises Off 34 years ago after watching a performance backstage and realizing that the drama behind the scenes was a production in itself. Under the direction of SJTC Veteran, Bob Doherty, Noises Off takes on a Maritime twist and reveals the dramatic story of life in the theatre.
Noises Off exposes a hilarious take on the preparation of a production. The comedy conveys a dysfunctional cast and crew who come together for the love of show business. And although they don’t always see eye to eye, the show must go on.
Each character plays an important role in making the dysfunction work. Belinda Blair/Flavia Brent (Lindsay Bell) is similar to the mom figure in any cast, trying to hold everything together and keeping everyone sane. Brooke Ashton/Vickie (Chelsea Johnson) creates more drama on and off the stage with her hilariously floozy personality. Garry Lejeune/Roger Tramplemain (Scott Thomas) portrays the clumsy cast member who asks too many questions and never finishes his thoughts. The rest of the cast and crew complete the theatre family, their love/hate family bond shining throughout the production.
As the audience watches Noises off from multiple perspectives, including an opportunity to experience the choreography behind the scenes. All nine characters move effortlessly around the complex set. Running up and down flights of stairs with multiple props and plates of sardines may sound like a complicated task, but their movements are like a dance, leaving people in the audience wiping tears of laughter from their sore, smiling cheeks.
Act 3 of Noises Off is when it all falls apart, and this is what ties the show together perfectly. The audience is taken on a new adventure of crazy. Unlike the first two acts, a new layer of entertainment is delivered. Most shows have audiences ready for the final curtain at the two hour mark, but the laughs filled the theatre until the closing bow.
If you want to experience this comedy it’s not too late. Find out what happens backstage and what all this sardine talk is about this week at the Imperial Theatre. Saint John Theatre Company’s Noises Off runs Friday, April 1 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, April 2 at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm.
For more information visit www.saintjohntheatrecompany.com
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