WOS Theatregoers Make Noises at the Old Vic

Last night 200 theatregoers made their way to the Old Vic for a night of comedy farce in the shape of Michael Frayn’s Noises Off. Lindsay Posner’s revival is the first major London outing for the popular play since Jeremy Sams’ 2000 production at the National Theatre and its return has been a popular one, proving that the 1982 play still hasn’t lost any of its charm.

The all-star cast includes Celia Imrie, Janie Dee, Aisling Loftus, Jonathan Coy, Robert Glenister, Paul Ready, Karl Johnson, Jamie Glover and Amy Nuttall and the revival has been well received by critics, so, armed with programmes and drinks, we hoped the play would live up to the hype.

The backstage farce follows a touring company who mount a chaotic production of the comedy Nothing On. Amongst all the confusion, frayed tempers, broken hearts and off-stage explosions, the show desperately continues…with expected (and unexpected) results!

We laughed from beginning to end, the sheer speed of the farce keeping us clutching our bellies as the jokes kept on coming, living up to expectations and more. Many of our theatregoers have seen the play many times and it would appear that this production didn’t disappoint even those most committed of fans!

As always, please feel free to email your comments and thoughts about the play, as well as any of your favourite insights from last night to feedback@whatsonstage.com. We would love to hear from you.

Rowena Betts