Review of Loft Theatre Company production of Noises Off (2010)

Farce in its most basic form is one of the most difficult theatrical enterprises to stage successfully. Long ago Michael Frayn raised the bar to dizzying new heights with this concept of a farce within a farce.

The challenge facing the hardiest of theatre companies is immense, and the Loft’s production has to be classed as a remarkable achievement, despite certain shortcomings. The company works at a pace that is breathtakingly frantic, though the timing sometimes becomes blurred in a veritable typhoon of pratfalls, jammed doors, dropped trousers, simulated sex and even the occasional stunt.

Beneath the obvious slapstick is an element of profundity – it’s sort of Ray Cooney with a PhD – and this is not always realised as the players tear about the stage, rush up and down stairs and plunge headlong into sofas with considerable prowess. But director Gus MacDonald has ensured a real crowd-pleaser and John Ellam has designed a batter-proof set which is amazing in its purpose and flexibility.

While some of the frenzy tends to become tiresome as well as mind-blowing, there are moments of stylish humour. Jeremy Heynes splutters and wheezes with comic flair into the character of an old stage ham. Mary MacDonald does some virtuoso work as the on-stage housekeeper attempting to balance a telephone, newspaper and plate of sardines in her hands. Phil Reynolds progressively loses his cool as an agonised director. And Amy Heynes is a nicely harassed and over-emotional ASM.

Frayn’s three-act framework is clever in outline, but the lengthy first act which is the front-stage play-within can teeter on the tedious while the second requires a balance which is not always struck here.

But ten out of ten must be awarded for sheer effort and energy.

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Peter McGarry is an experienced, independent professional theatre critic who has agreed to review Loft Theatre Company productions.

The agreement with the Loft is that Peter is free to express his opinions for good or ill. The Loft Theatre Company has no control whatsoever over the content of these reviews and will never comment publicly on what he writes.