Theater Review: “Noises Off” a laugh de force at Bucks Playhouse
BY PAUL WILLISTEIN
pwillistein@tnonline.com
If you hear present laughter at Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope, it’s probably emanating from the audience attending “Noises Off.”
“Noises Off,” a resounding success to open the 10th season under new management at Bucks County Playhouse, continues through June 16 at the storied theater.
The production is pure enjoyment: a laugh de force, if you will. I was smiling, chuckling and laughing out loud during the evening May 28 performance of “Noises Off” seen for this review.
“Noises Off,” by playwright Michael Frayn, which has the format of a play within a play, is about a group of actors, director, stage manager and assistant stage manager rehearsing the play, “Nothing On,” in the Grand Theatre, England. A fake playbill, which lists the fictional actors and their roles, is tucked inside the Bucks Playhouse playbill. It’s a fun keepsake that I am still perusing and enjoying for its clever humor.
The Playhouse is all-in, totally committed to the play’s conceit, and so are the actors. “Noises Off” is a particularly difficult play to pull off. The dialogue must be snappy and done with impeccable timing. The facial expressions must be ever-present and in the moment. The physical comedy must be believable and dramatic. The actors in the Bucks’ production not only pull it off, they pull it off brilliantly.
The result for summer theater-goers is a madcap British-style farce on the order of “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” (1969-1974) or any number of the Pythons’ television, movie and stage productions. There’s also a nifty aspect of “The Benny Hill Show” (1955-1989) to the proceedings, mixed with a bit of Peter Sellers (1925-1980). The play’s concept harks back to the Commedia dell’arte tradition of improvised dialogue and stock characters.
Bucks has assembled an all-star cast of performers for “Noises Off,” with each bringing nonstop energy to the roles.
Jen Cody as Dotty, the appropriately named housekeeper, is a master of the double-take and slow burn.
John Patrick Hayden as Lloyd, the play-within-the play’s intense director, has the uncanny ability to make an unlikable character likeable.
Roe Hartrampf as Garry makes the unctuousness of his role haplessly hilarious.
Amanda Kristin Nichols is a sight to behold as Brooke, with an abrupt, angular and immediate physicality, facial expressions that snap, crackle and pop, and with moments of stillness in a remarkable performance.
John Bolton is the put-upon Frederick, who frequently gets his aplomb out of joint and is not above the random stumble and roll to get a laugh, which he does.
Marilu Henner, who starred in the film version of “Noises Off” (1992) directed by Peter Bogdanovich, reprises her role as Belinda, who is as cute and perky as she is eager to make the show within the show go on smoothly.
Folami Williams as Poppy the assistant stage manager is energetic and seemingly all over the stage, darting back and forth.
Barrett Riggins as Tim the stage manager is sincere in his sincerity.
Richard Kline as Selsdon, a bumbling actor, is delightful in his distractedness.
Director Hunter Foster makes sure the play proceeds in a madcap manner while at the time ensuring what is unfolding on stage appears to perfectly normal in an abnormal way. He’s aided capably by Fight Director Jason Paul Tate.
Costume Design by Nicole V. Moody and Hair, Wig and Makeup Design by J. Jared Janas conveys each character’s quirky personality.
“Noises Off” will be cherished by theater buffs. The play’s title refers to the stage cue for offstage sounds.
For Act I, the stage set, with Scenic Design by Anna Louizos, is that of the interior of a two-story house.
For Act II, the stage set is that of the back of the set, providing for many moments of pantomime and movement right out of a silent movie.
For Act III, the set becomes a character unto itself, rotating from backstage to front of set on the Bucks Playhouse’s revolving stage. It’s truly a sight to behold.
Lighting Design by Kirk Bookman nicely contrasts front and back stage. Sound Design by Jeff Sherwood makes real those “noises off.”
Bucks County Playhouse’s production of “Noises Off’” is a welcome respite from the noises of the world around us. The only noises you will hear at “Noises Off” will be that of your own and others’ laughter.
If you’ve not seen “Noises Off,” you are in for a treat. If you have seen “Noises Off,” see this comedic delight again in the superb Bucks County Playhouse production.
“Noises Off,” May 17-June 16, Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main St., New Hope: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday; 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday. Tickets: box office, 215-862-2121, https://bcptheater.org/