REVIEW – NOISES OFF

The audience is in complete hysterics by the end of Sydney Theatre Company’s Noises Off. As they leave the theatre, each member seems to beam and smile. It is a fantastic start to STC’s 2014 program.

Michael Frayn’s hilarious farce-about-farce comes alive with perfect casting and performances. An incompetent band of flawed actors, struggle to perform a season of the British Nothing On. As affairs and misunderstandings run rampant, the season seems impossible to complete. Perhaps the final night will prove that the show really must go on.

There are incredibly strong performances from every actor; their physicality and characterisation makes it such a joy to watch. Impeccable set design from Mark Thompson gives insight to the theatrical world and really allows the audience to find humour in the detail. Detail, is certainly where Noises Off finds its comedy.

The strength lies in its ability to have both large pay-offs and small comedic nuances. (ATS)

Until Apr 5, Sydney Theatre Company, The Wharf, Pier 4 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay, $50-109, 9250 1777, sydneytheatre.com.au