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| Photo by Marc J. Wrzesinski |
www.barringtonstageco.org
through September 6, 2026
by Shera Cohen
Nine characters fill the set of Barrington Stage Company's (BSC) production of "Noises Off". The number could be a slight error, but there is at least that same count (probably 11) of doors, windows, hall entries to the play's bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, sitting room, and terrace, can immediately indicate that the audience is about to see a farce. And no one does farce as humorously, broad, and fast as the British.
Set aside all sense of order, logic, or purpose in analyzing the play's plot. Actually, there are two plots since "Noises Off" is a play within a play; and the "within play" is seen a few times over the course of several quickly fleeting months in the real play's run.
Each actor portrays a character hired by BSC as well the character's on-stage presence. Makes sense? Probably not. Nothing is serious in "Noises Off" or in "Nothing On," play within the play.
Each actor is enormously skilled at comedy, although sometimes spoken dialog is a little too fast to be deciphered. But that's okay; we get the gist. More importantly, this play is a lesson in how to achieve physical humor without destroying actors' bodies. Assuredly, the director wouldn't permit that. Prat falls abound. In addition to the usual bumping into walls, "Noises Off" takes its actors to the point of not only falling down staircases but falling up the same staircase. Not a single character or character-within-character is left out of this mayhem; especially those who must watch over platters of plastic sardines; a running funny gag.
As talented at the cast is, those who must take the "bravo" calls and standing ovations are the Scenic co-designers: Sotirios Livaditis and Todd Rosenthal. The huge English country home with expensive interior on two levels complete with full staircase, not to mention 9 or 11 doors, is straight out of Agatha Christie mysteries.
There's more. Flip this entire set 180 degrees to now see the backstage becoming the primary set and the latter becoming the secondary set. This second act of the play is the funniest. The actual BSC audience views both plays simultaneously; and the version backstage is outright hysterical.
The second "bravo" goes to Director Gordon Greenberg, a man with credentials throughout the world and kudos on Broadway and Off-Broadway. In essence, Greenberg is directing three plays. Explaining the details would be far more than necessary. With help from his fight choreographer and associate director, it is near amazing that actors -- most of who's characters violently dislike each other -- don't fall off the stage during their feigned calamities.
All of BSC's tech crew is perfect, as usual. The costumes are bawdy and colorful, as is appropriate to the characters.
"Noises Off" and "Nothing On" are chaotic and fun. The actors take their bows as an ensemble, as they should.
