‘Noises Off’ is a 1982 British stage farce and a work of theatrical genius, playing at Renton Civic Theatre through Sunday, Oct. 18.
The story follows a chaotic acting troupe touring a lewd comedy and struggling to pull it off.
Act I shows the cast frantically rehearsing the play at midnight the evening before opening night with frequent interruptions from their harried director, Lloyd Dallas (Jalyn Green) who exhaustedly attempts to keep the show together.
We see the play as it’s meant to be performed in addition to the personal feuds, problems, and petty squabbles of the cast themselves as they stumble through their frantic rehearsal.
Act II shows us the backstage of a matinee performance of the show we saw being rehearsed in Act I. We see the internal feuds of the actors dissolve into violent chaos in nearly complete silence as the play is being performed behind them.
Act III shows the play near the end of its run. The show has completely fallen apart and attempts to get it back on track by the saner among the actors only adds to the havoc as the play descends further and further into insanity.
‘Noises Off’ is incredibly fast-paced and complex, with dozens of precise entrances and exits happening for every performer while mayhem unfolds around them.
The set design is a colorful masterpiece of two floors, stairs, six doors, and a window, used so extensively throughout the show that director Jesse Huntwork refers to it as a member of the cast in his Director’s Notes.
The success of the play is completely dependent on the strength of the actors and there is not a weak link in the bunch.
Jeffrey Watson and Graham Arthur Blair stand out in particular.
Jeffrey Watson plays the futsy and inarticulate Garry Lejeune, the leading man of the troupe’s struggling cast, with masterful inflection, timing, and physical comedy. His every line is a delight to watch.
Graham Arthur Blair plays the temperamental and insecure Freddie Fellowes with a loveable warmth and forgivable dim-wittedness coupled with artful physical comedy. Blair’s timid Freddie, contrasting with Watson’s forceful Garry, is a demonstration of the excellent balance of performances achieved by the cast.
The entire cast works seamlessly together without missing a beat, which is incredibly impressive due to the rapid-fire pace of the dialogue, the many concurrent physical actions, and powerful comedic chops necessary to make the show work.
‘Noises Off’ is not a heady play full of monologues and simple backdrops. It’s an active, immersive, roller-coaster ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end with break-neck speed, technical precision, and extraordinary displays of comedic and theatrical talent from the cast and crew of Renton Civic Theatre.
This is one you don’t want to miss!
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Schedule & Tickets:
- Friday, Oct. 9, 2026: 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct.10, 2026: 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026: 2:00 p.m.
- Monday, Oct.12, 2026: 7:30 p.m. – Industry Night – PWYW
- Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026: 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 16, 2026: 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026: 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026: 2:00 p.m.
