The Star: November 24, 2016

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Thursday November 24 2016 45
Theatre/Arts
Gags galore in play within a play
Noises Off
Written by Michael Frayn
Directed by Ravil Atlas
Reviewed by Georgia
O’Connor-Harding
Slamming doors, crumbling
relationships and a troubling
plate of sardines all make
for comedy chaos in the
Canterbury Repertory Theatre’s
latest show.
A production for me is always
a bold success if it has managed
to give the audience a good
hearty chuckle.
And in this case, Canterbury
director Ravil Atlas’s version
of Michael Frayn’s famous play
Noises Off is no exception, with
a talented cast making the audience
roar with laughter.
Noises Off is a play within a
play, showcasing a behind-thescenes
look at a rookie theatre
group attempting to pull off a
fictional, farcical production of
Nothing On.
It’s a quick-witted show, broken
into three acts – the disastrous
dress rehearsal, backstage
during a midweek matinee and
on-stage on closing night.
Act one was a brewing storm
which revealed the maze of
relationships within a cast on
JOYFUL SHOW: Miriam van Voorthuizen (left) as Brooke
Ashton, Julian Anderson as Llyod Dallas and Emma Price as
Poppy Norton-Taylor in the Canterbury Repertory Theatre’s
latest production Noises Off. ​
the brink of collapse. Forgotten
lines and incorrect cues all
seemed to revolve around
sardines getting taken on and
off the stage.
The whole cast does a stellar
job of foreshadowing what will
be a tragic live show within the
production, and every performer
added fire to the hilariously
diabolical, fictional outfit.
Act two – my favourite – is
when all hell breaks loose back
stage during the live fictional
performance. Shoelaces tied
together, an outbreak of fighting
and sardines getting poured
down one performer’s top is just
the tip of the iceberg.
The show is extremely lovable
and highly-relatable for two reasons:
Most people can relate to
having either been sucked into
putting on an exceedingly amateur
production or gone to see
one. The other reason is there
is something familiar about
being on the outside watching
human nature take its toll in a
disastrous situation.
Actor Miriam van
Voorthuizen’s role is a critical
example of both cases. Her
hilarious performance as
Brooke Ashton, who speaks
with no flow and carries on
with the show unable to adapt
to change, is acting we’re all
familiar with.
Terry McCartan did a
wonderful job playing the
overworked, tired stage
manager Tim Allgood.
There was something about
him catching a flying cactus
and kicking the hell out of
a broken door in a bid to fix
it that stuck out as hilarious
highlights for me.
It puts a smile on my face just
thinking about all the chaotic
drama.
And at the end of it all, does
the show go on? You’ll have to
go along to find out.
•Noises Off will run at
Elmwood Auditorium
until December 3. To
book tickets, go to www.
repertory.nz/show/noisesoff/
Showbiz
announces
three shows
THREE LARGE-scale productions
will take the stage in the city next year.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The
Musical; An Evening of Rodgers and
Hammerstein Classics and Sister
Act will all be produced by Showbiz
Christchurch.
The three shows will be staged at the
Isaac Theatre Royal.
Showbiz Christchurch held its 2017
season launch on Tuesday at the Novotel
Hotel.
The season will begin in March
with Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The
Musical.
In May, a full scale concert will be
staged featuring the sound of Rodgers
and Hammerstein Classics.
The concert will have a Broadwaystyle
orchestra, vocal solos and a
chorus of more than 100 from Showbiz
Christchurch and the National Academy
of Singing and Dramatic Art. It
will feature songs from Oklahoma!;
The Sound of Music; The King and I;
South Pacific and Carousel.
In September, Showbiz Christchurch
will produce the Broadway musical
comedy Sister Act.
•Tickets for all three shows go
on sale today. To book tickets
go to www.ticketek.co.nz or call
0800 842 538.
C
25 years
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Celebrating
25 years
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Celebrating
25 years
Celebrating
25 years
Celebrating
25 years
Celebrating
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Celebrating
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25
It wouldn’t be a celebration without you.
It’s Starship’s 25th birthday. So we’d like to acknowledge everyone who’s helped us reach this wonderful milestone.
To our staff, donors, volunteers, corporate partners and, of course, our patients and their families - your support of our national
children’s hospital means the world to us. Here’s to you, and another 25 years of delivering outstanding care to young patients.
THANK YOU.
Celebrating 25 years
starshipbirthday.co.nz