Originally penned by English playwright Michael Frayn in 1982, Noises Off offers a different perspective of the production of a stage play. Using a play-within-a-play format, it follows the fumbling attempts of a director to marshal a group of mediocre actors and produce a sex comedy called Nothing On . As can be expected, hilarity ensues, sardines fly, actors flit about the stage in confusion, and things go from bad to worse as the team desperately tries to salvage the production.
The Company Theatre brings the classic back to life for the second time (they first performed it in 2003), and director Atul Kumar believes it is a challenging production to get right, especially since they use two different casts that perform alternate showings.
“It is easy to be a bad actor but to act like a bad actor and do it well is quite a task, but that is what Noises Off and Nothing On are all about” says Atul, adding. “I had to go watch some cheap sex comedies to get ideas for how to play the play within the play.”
Q & A with Atul Kumar
You first adapted Noises Off in 2003 and now you’re at it a decade later — what has changed?
The play has matured and it is being done with older and more experienced actors. This suits the play and me fine since it is about what actors experience behind the scenes in theatre. The play, however, does not fail to still surprise and entertain both us actors and the audience.
Since Noises Off is a play within a play, and a disastrously performed one at that, what kind of challenges does it throw up for you the director?
There are constantly two plays to deal with – this one and the one within. Plus, I have directed this play with two different casts and mixing the actors from one team into the other makes things dynamic and exciting.
What kind of audience is the play best suited for?
People who have an open heart and anyone who has ever worked in theatre.
What can the audience expect in terms of visual style and the performances themselves?
How we turn the entire set 360 degrees without a revolving stage should be something to look out for. Also, a lot of the actors are trained in physical theatre, so the energy of the show, with its maddening movements, is also a high point.
The Company Theatre was founded over 20 years ago. How has the theatre scene evolved from when you started?
I can finally make a living from doing theatre. There are many more people around and a lot more audiences and theatre groups. A lot more people in India and abroad invite us to perform, and so many young people are excited about performing on stage. All this looks like a great future for modern theatre in India.
>See the full MPTF 2014 schedule here
>Tickets for all shows can be purchased online here
Log on to >www.thehindu.com/theatrefest
Twitter:>@TheHinduTheatre
Facebook:>MetroPlus Theatre Fest 2014
