Citizen Reviews: Noises Off

August 11, 2014 07:36 pm | Updated April 21, 2016 04:59 am IST

A scene from "Noises Off  Photo: M.Periasamy.

A scene from "Noises Off Photo: M.Periasamy.

Breaking walls

Noises Off is a wild tribute to the stage. Wild because of its beautifully chaotic content, and a tribute because of its quest for the heart of theatre itself. As the play begins, one is introduced to a bunch of loud actors who are practising for the opening show. It is here that one is made to understand that it is a play within a play. It is an amusing concept because there is a play being directed, the actors are rehearsing and it looks like the fourth wall has been broken. Yet, it is all well within the boundaries of the play.

In the second act, one is made aware of the imminent collapse of the play due to friction between the actors and its eventual demise in the third act as the friction matures into comical violence.

Surprisingly and aptly, one never gets to see the climax of ‘Nothing On’. The actors in Noises Off perform well as bad actors, the play is written intelligently in order to look like a bad play and what looks like an ordinary comedy translates to ‘cynical absurdism’ on stage.

Thyagarajan

Nallampalayam

Laughter therapy

We have heard of lights off, camera off, but Noises off? Once you see the play, you will know what exactly it means. If the success of a play were to be judged by the laugh-o-meter of the audience, it was a huge success. I had the time of my life at Noises Off. The best part about it was the speed with which the crew changed the backdrop at the end of every act. The lights, the sound and the timing were perfect. So were the performances. It has been a while since we laughed so hard.

Swati Agarwal

Nanjundapuram Main Road

Absolute riot

Noises Off was an absolute riot. I can’t remember when I last laughed like that in public. The beauty being that every person around me was doing the same.

A theatrical production revolves around one, maybe two outstanding actors, but Noises Off revolved around the equitable participation of every one — each one was brilliant in his or her roles.

The dexterity with which stage sets were handled, together with the lighting, lays bare the planning and effort that have gone into this production.

The raunchiness, which would have done an inner-wear manufacturer proud, together with the occasional superlatives and expletives thrown in, blended beautifully without making anyone blush.

Chanda Khaturia

R S Puram

Nostalgic trip

Noises Off reminded me of the chaos that took place backstage when our college drama club put up a public production. One never knew that what happened backstage could make for a wonderful a play in itself. Special mention has to be made about the spectacular 360-degree set and to the actor who played Brooke. Sheer brilliance. I feel honoured to have been able to witness this performance.

Tanvi.P.S.

P.N.Pudur

Mayhem & mirth

Noises off gives an insight into backstage drama. Chaotic events and confused characters lent flavour to it. Everything that can go wrong does, as the crew clings on to their performances and props. Amidst the mayhem there was spurts of laughter from the audience.

Tasneem. Z. Imani

VCV Layout

Chaotic comedy

Noises Off had a very interesting and humorous script and could have been a good entertainer but for the length, which made it sag, especially in the middle. The last act literally brought audiences down laughing, but the first act which depicted what the actual play was meant to be could have been trimmed a little. Act two, which highlighted the backstage rivalry and liaisons between the actors, could have been better crafted to hold the audience attention. Some acts (drunk actor, door handles not working or the plate of sardines falling off) were too laborious to be amusing. Noises off was quite a chaotic comedy with exceptional actors, but it could have been put together better.

Darshan & Preeti Konnar

Thudiyalur

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