Continuing right where it left off before the pandemic darkened theatres in March 2020, the Long Beach Playhouse (LBPH) is reviving its production of the hilarious “Noises Off,” complete with eight out of nine original cast members. This zany meta-theatrical farce about a play about doors and sardines delivers exactly the right energy to jumpstart LBPH’s 2021 season.
The Signal Tribune had the privilege of reviewing LBPH’s first run of “Noises Off” back in February 2020. We noted, “’Noises Off’ is truly a talented ensemble effort that creates and sustains––like a bubble inflated until it is about to pop––an energetic theatrical experience.” The same is true of LBPH’s madcap revived production, directed as before by Gregory Cohen.
Part of the charm of this play, written by Michael Frayn, is that the audience sees what it is not supposed to—how a play is staged, what happens backstage and finally, how it might all go horribly wrong. We’re really experiencing two plays simultaneously—the one called “Noises Off,” which is about a play called “Nothing On,” which depends entirely on perfectly timed entrances, exits and use of props.
In “Nothing On,” a husband and wife secretly return to their English country house for a weekend after being in Spain (or “Spine,” as their Cockney-accented housekeeper calls it) to avoid paying taxes. However, their realtor secretly comes for that weekend, bringing with him a young woman who happens to work in the tax office. Amid a lot of telephone gags, misplaced sardines and many doors frequently opening and closing, the two couples—not to mention an intruding burglar—manage to avoid seeing each other as long as possible.
In the meantime, the cast and director of “Nothing On” have their own dramas and foibles to contend with as they stage their play. And since they’re only human, their play’s perfect timing is in precarious jeopardy from the very start.
All eight of the original LBPH cast members seem to relish reprising their physically demanding roles. The sole newcomer—Adanna Kenlow, who plays Belinda, who plays the wife—is a breath of comedic fresh air.
As in the previous production, Andrea Stradling (who plays Dotty, who plays the housekeeper) seems to have fun with her melodious accent as she juggles plates of sardines, the telephone and everyone in the house. And Amara Phelps is once again delightful as a ditzy LA actress playing the young woman brought to the house who spends most of the time in bright pink lingerie and heels.
John Vann as Garry, who completes sentences with “you know” and plays the realtor, puts his all into the physical performance. So do PJ Cimacio as the assistant stage manager and Travis Wade as Frederick, who plays the husband. The expressions on Wade’s face as he bleeds, faints, runs and hides are often priceless.
Rounding out the cast are Eric Schiffer as Lloyd, the long-suffering director—whose voice is like a deity’s to the cast, but whose very earthly foibles are soon revealed; Lewis Leighton as Selsdon, who plays the burglar but who has a drinking problem; and Lyndsay Palmer as Poppy the stage manager, who has to put up with a lot more than forgotten lines.
An ingenious set designed by Larry Mura is transformed into the same set backstage for the second act, then back to normal for a final act as we see the play on its last leg of a touring run. By then we know the players like family, and like any family, they reach their limits but still have to put on a show. Only, what show do they end up putting on?
Though you’ll have to present your vaccination card and keep your mask on, this play’s nonstop antics will distract you from anything about viruses. In a way, though, it may remind you of living in the pandemic—figuring out the rules, enduring each other while trapped “backstage,” and emerging in a somewhat crazier world with only shreds of sanity. But you celebrate it, and thankfully, so does the Long Beach Playhouse with an exuberant “Noises Off.”
“Noises Off” continues at the Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., through Oct. 9, with shows Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are $14 to $24. For tickets and information, call the box office at (562) 494-1014 or visit LBPlayhouse.org.
