Noises Off

A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Noises Off

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  4w, 5m

Michael Frayn

Called “the funniest farce ever written,” Noises Off presents a manic menagerie of itinerant actors rehearsing a flop called Nothing’s On. Doors slamming, on and offstage intrigue, and an errant herring all figure in the plot of this hilarious and classically comic play.

Image: 2016 Roundabout Theatre Company Production (Joan Marcus)

Noises Off

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    4w, 5m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Farce
  • Suggested Use
    • Cutting Approved for Competition
    • UIL Approved
    • Competition or audition material
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Senior, Teen (Age 14 - 18)
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! 1982 Olivier Award, Best Play
    Winner! 1982 London Evening Standard Award, Best Comedy
    Nominee! 1984 Tony® Award, Best Play
    Nominee! 1984 Drama Desk Award, Best Play

Details

Summary

"The most dexterously realized comedy ever about putting on a comedy. A spectacularly funny, peerless backstage farce. This dizzy, well-known romp is festival of delirium." - The New York Times

History

Noises Off opened at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre in New York City on December 11, 1983, under the direction of Michael Blakemore.

Cast Attributes
Keywords
Performing Groups
DOTTY OTLEY - A late-middle-aged actress. Plays Mrs. Clackett, the housekeeper for the Brents' home in England in Nothing's On.
LLOYD DALLAS - The director of a play-within-the-play, called Nothing's On.
GARRY LEJEUNE -  A stuttering actor, easily fired up. Plays Roger, the estate agent looking to let the Brent's house in Nothing's On.
BROOKE ASHTON - A young inexperienced actress from London. Plays Vicki, who works for the tax authorities and is trying to woo Roger in Nothing's On. 
POPPY NORTON-TAYLOR - Assistant Stage Manager.
FREDERICK FELLOWES - Has a serious fear of violence and blood. Plays Phillip Brent, who lives out of the country with his wife Flavia to avoid paying taxes and is on a secret visit in Nothing's On.
BELINDA BLAIR - Cheerful and sensible, a reliable actress. Plays Flavia, Philip Brent's wife, who is dependable, though not one for household duties in Nothing's On.
TIM ALLGOOD - An over-worked Stage Manager.
SELSDON MOWBRAY - Elderly and with actorly mannerisms. Plays Selsdon, a burglar and an old man in his seventies, breaking into the Brents' house in Nothing's On.
  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Additional Features Physical Comedy, Stage Combat
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

"As side-splitting a farce as I have seen. Ever? Ever." - New York Magazine

REVIEWS

"The most dexterously realized comedy ever about putting on a comedy. A spectacularly funny, peerless backstage farce. This dizzy, well-known romp is festival of delirium." - The New York Times

"Bumper car brilliance [...] If laughter is indeed the best medicine, Noises Off is worth its weight in Cipro." - New York Daily News

"The funniest farce ever written! Never before has side-splitting taken on a meaning dangerously close to the non-metaphorically medical." - New York Post

"As side-splitting a farce as I have seen. Ever? Ever." - New York Magazine

Videos

  • Noises Off - Old Vic Trailer youtube thumbnail

    Noises Off - Old Vic Trailer

  • Noises Off - Roundabout Theatre montage youtube thumbnail

    Noises Off - Roundabout Theatre montage

  • Roundabout Theatre cast discusses Noises Off youtube thumbnail

    Roundabout Theatre cast discusses Noises Off

Photos

  • Noises Off

    Image: 2016 Roundabout Theatre Company Production (Joan Marcus)

Music

  • Musical Style N/A (Not a musical)
  • Vocal DemandsN/A (Not a musical)
  • Chorus Size N/A (Not a musical)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $130 per performance

Scripts

Available Formats:
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Authors

Michael Frayn

Michael Frayn

Michael Frayn was born in London in 1933. He began his career as a reporter for the Guardian and later the Observer. After leaving the Observer he continued to write as a columnist as well as publishing novels and plays for television and stage.

His plays for stage include Cop ...

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