BWW Student Center: Hats Off to Westminster College's NOISES OFF!

A hysterical ride, Noises Off propels us into a world of absolute chaos and out-of-control laughter. In typical farce fashion, this show's quickened pace will leave you exhausted at the end of the night. Noises Off is crowd favorite with its many mix-ups and mayhem. While all fun and games for the audience, the show is an incredibly complex and difficult one to stage!

The first act introduces us to a troupe of actors as they rehearse late into the night before they open their show Nothing On (a farce) the next day. The second act takes us back stage as the actors rush onto the set of Nothing On. Other than the lines from the show they are doing, most of this act is without dialogue as we observe the silent backstage pandemonium. The third and final act is completely nonsensical and absurd but absolutely brilliant. Best said by the Nothing On director Lloyd, this show is about "doors and sardines. Getting on, getting off. Getting the sardines on, getting the sardines off. That's farce."

When talking to those involved, all agree that the most challenging aspect of this show is the timing. "Directors are known to say the two most difficult shows in the theatrical canon to direct are King Lear and Noises Off (for completely different reasons)." Says actor Natale McAneney (Belinda). "The timing on farce is always challenging, especially when you have ten doors on stage, but in this show you basically have two plays happening simultaneously including a twenty minute silent, slapstick, spoof."

If that doesn't spark your interest take it from Director Michal Vought "It's simply impossible to sit through this show and do anything but enjoy yourself." And finally if you doubt the ability of the students to pull off one of the most complex productions out there, have no fear. "There isn't a single person in the cast/crew that hasn't put their entire heart and soul into this production. What the audience sees is a labor of love: a dedication to the lively and unpredictable theatre - and all of the people within it." Says actor Nikola Muckajev!

Noises Off promises to be a delightfully good time and one that you will kick yourself for missing.  For the cost of a movie ticket ($10), you're guaranteed to have a ROTF (Roll On The Floor Laughing) heck of a time!

Noises Off is playing with Westminster College through November 17, 2012, in the Courage Theatre in the Jewett Center for the Performing Arts.

More information can be found on their website. 

Megan B. Pedersen is a member of the American Theater Critics Association and is a theater lover from a suburb of Salt Lake City, Utah. She sees over 100 shows a year and offers a unique patrons' perspective. When not attending the theater, she works as a corporate trainer for a local human resource and software company. In addition to the work she does for BroadwayWorld, she writes for her own website, aTheaterLover.com.

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