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Oxfordshire Drama Network

ODN Review

Noises Off by Michael Frayn

Faringdon were as welcoming as ever to everyone who came to see their wonderful production of Noises Off at Faringdon Junior School. This very complex and funny show was performed and staged brilliantly by the team. You are very lucky that the school allows such work to be built on the stage; it must have taken a lot of thought and building to produce such a set. Well done to Tim Evans and the team.

This play opens with a theatrical company in the throws of the final rehearsal. It is immediately obvious that not all aspects of the play are ready for an audience!! We start to learn about various “relationships” which are going on backstage and personalities, during the many breaks in the rehearsal. The actors started a little slowly and seemed uncertain of their lines and pace suffered, but it did not last long and soon they were in the swing of the show. The second Act was great and showed us the same play being performed but from backstage, almost in mime except for the performance lines on stage. Then finally we see the show the right way around again and the relationships have deteriorated to catty, vicious and total chaos for the final scene.

Dotty (Leslie Phillips) started the play and was joined by Lloyd (Daniel Lander) who played the long suffering Director. Daniel’s performance was very strong and the stage came to life when ever he was on. I must admit I would have liked to have seen him “in front” of me when he was shouting instructions at the cast (but off stage, standing on the steps, maybe) but that is purely my niggle as I have a bad back and hate turning around!! Also, I would have liked to see Llodd’s underwear (some silk or garish boxers) when Dotty took out the cactus prickles…would have been funnier. (no comments please!!) Dotty was very good but I do think she should have had a skirt or petticoat, or even bloomers under her apron as it was very thin and too short.

Garry Lejeune (Jeff Barry) and Brooke Ashton (Alex Oliver) came on to show what a naughty Estate Agent does with clients when house owners are supposed to be out of the country!! Very energetic performance and good casting here. Shoes were quite noisy on the boards at times but it probably can’t be helped when a character has to wear heels for the character. Garry’s fall was very spectacular and well deserved his round of applause. Brooke was “lovely and dim,” very well done. The contact lens scenes were brilliant.

Poppy (Debbie Lock) was suitably vague and played her part really well all the way through: a convincing performance of the poor down-trodden backstage girl who finds herself pregnant by the Director. Poor Tim Allgood (Rob Thorpe) was good as the Stage Manager who ran around here and there, sorting out problems and trying to do his best…but not always getting there! This was a good pairing too and the only hitch once or twice was the microphone not coming on every time. Not sure if this was governed by the actors or the control desk?

Frederick Fellowes (Simon Wisbey) and Belinda Blair (Sarah Vernon) were another breath of fresh air and a lovely contrast to the others. The grocery box which was carried was very light, not proper “groceries” in it. It hardly made a sound when it was dropped. They continued through the first act totally unaware there was anyone else around and always looked surprised when something went wrong. Freddie could have made more of the searching of “Dotty’s clothes” but otherwise added to the second Act’s rhythm and pace very well”

Selsdon (Roger Leitch) was really fit for the part, suitably vague and absent minded. His cues were a bit slow but he had a lovely speaking voice and his drinking habits caused a lot of hilarious situations from the rest of the cast, which added to the plot of the play.

The audience could see the people passing the downstairs bathroom door when it was open, a bit of masking would have helped there. Also, in the last scene there was so much going on and the audience was enjoying the play so much, all around me were creased up, that some of the funny lines were lost. Especially the one about “they always come in 3s, don’t they?”

This was a very funny and extremely well presented play. The lighting was very effective considering it was a large area (just a black spot in the top stage left corner in Act 2 whenever Gary came through the door his wonderful facial expressions were almost lost.)

The costumes were very appropriate and fitted the play very well. Also, the make up was “invisible” which means it was perfect! The 2 programmes were fun and amusing to read whilst waiting, someone had put a lot of thought into them.

Thank you Faringdon for a lovely and entertaining evening. I love this play and you have only enhanced the reasons why I do, and shall continue to go and see it again and again. Well done and lots of “broken legs” for the forthcoming Panto.

Susi Dalton

National Operatic & Dramatic Association

London Area Report

Society
Production
Date
Venue
Report by FARINGDON DRAMATIC SOCIETY
Noises Off
November 8 th 2006
Faringdon Junior School
Gareth Jeremy. Region 12

My thanks to your secretary, Karen Whiffen, for the invitation to review your latest production. I always look forward to my visit to your Society, as you always make one feel welcomed, and not as if the enemy has arrived. ! ! I have said it before, there always seems to be a strong community spirit amongst your membership, and you seem proud to ~e wearing your Faringdon D.S. sweat shirts.--- which is good.

I was really looking forward to this production, as I had seen it professionally played at Milton Keynes last year. Wait for it, ---- and your production was by far the best. !

It was interesting to listen to some of the comments in the Hall before the play started. Some of the audience seemed rather confused, at having as it were Two programmes, --- Noises Off, and `Nothing On'. !! However , after reading Director Dave Headey's introduction to the play, there was a buzz of excitement, and everyone was waiting for the curtain to go up.---- and were we disappointed ?? --certainly not. I can sum up the entire evening in one word, --- Brilliant. !

The cast, in order of appearance were; --

Lesley Phillips, --- as Dotty Otley. Daniel Lander, --- as Lloyd Dallas. Jeff Barry, ----- as Garry Lejeune. Alex Oliver, ---- as Brook Ashton. Debbie Lock, --- as Poppy Norton- Taylor. Simon Wisbey, --- as Frederick Fellowes. Sarah Varnom, --- as Belinda Blair. Rob Thorpe, ---- as Tim Allgood. Roger Leitch, --- as Selsdon Mowbray.

This is the first time in Fifteen Years, as N.O.D.A. rep, that I will not be saying something, about each individual character, --- Why ?? -- because they were all ` first class'. --- The timing, diction, facial expressions, mannerisms, of each character was faultless. I can appreciate the hours of hard work that had been put into the production by everyone concerned. The way Act 2 came across, when every one had to do every thing ` back to front', as it were. This form of acting needs dedication, high levels of concentration, by everyone, on stage. --- I did not spot a mistake through-out the entire Act, but one was kept glued to all the action taking place. Director,--- Dave Headey, and Assistant director Carolyn Taylor, must have spent many hours, working out how they wanted the play to be appreciated by the audience. They were also fortunate to have such an experienced and talented group of actors to call upon. I meant to ask Dave, when I spoke to him,---- were auditions held for the parts, or were the cast invited to take the various roles. ? I'm sure that which ever way it was,---- you all gave of your best,--- and can look back as it being, possibly one of the highlights of your acting abilities, to date. Congratulations to you all.

The Set. ----- designed by Rob Thorpe, Nick Evans, and Tim Evans and CONSTRUCTED, by Gary Field, Richard Lock, Alan Merrick, Paul Mountford- Lister, Peter Webster.---- this was a Solid, well built set, ---- it had to be; -- with all the movement up and down the stairs, and in and out of the various doors, and window. The staircase had to be built from 4 by 2 to take the way Garry, brilliantly, fell down the stairs,--- or is this a case of it should have been questioned by Health, and Safety experts.???

The Production Team; ---- No play can succeed without the hard, and dedicated work of those behind the scenes. From front of house, to serving drinks at the interval, or selling raffle tickets, everyone is doing their ` bit' for the Society.

The Programme, --- Dave Headey, Daniel Lander. ---was well laid out, gave all the relevant information, and that little bit extra about the Society,--- Congratulations to your Wardrobe Ladies, --- Jeni Summerfield & Joan Lee,---- these two ladies have done so much for your Society over the years; --- and I'm sure have saved you thousands, over the years, -- if you'd had to hire all your costumes, --- look after them !

I wish you every success with your project possibly with Canada. My Society has been involved with our Twin Town in Germany, --- Hennef. We have just returned, having taken a full G & S show there. This was our 10th show in 20 years. We all had a fantastic time,--- but it does take a strain on the Society finances, hiring a lorry to take the set etc. we all pay our own fares ,---- and we certainly enjoy the hospitality, and companionship.

Many thanks for a wonderful evening’s entertainment, and I'm sure everyone who came felt likewise and those who didn't make it, --- they missed a treat. I now look forward to Pirates of the Faribbean, -- if asked.

Best Wishes. Gareth Jeremy. Region 12 London Area.

NODA LONDON For Services to Amateur Theatre