Noises Off ★★★★ Phoenix Theatre | Jan 19 - Mar 11, 2023


Just in time to help us through the winter doldrums, Michael Frayn's comic masterpiece returns to the Phoenix Theatre. Noises Off which takes the audience behind the scenes of a farce to reveal the comedy that is real life is definitely a great tonic for a gloomy grey day, and this production is designed to lift everyone's spirits. In a farce, timing is everything and this show gets the frenetic pacing quite perfect. Just as we begin to savour one moment of madness another distracting disaster crops up. Director, Lindsay Posner, does an amazing job of keeping it all moving and unlike his harried counterpart, Alexander Hanson, who plays the exasperated director, Lloyd Dallas, Posner maintains amazing control of the mayhem. In contrast, we thoroughly enjoyed Hanson's seething as he gradually loses all power over the gaggle of acting stereotypes with whom he is faced. Felicity Kendal does a fine job as the forgetful Dotty and Tracy-Ann Oberman is a delight as the gossipy Belinda. The former's accent was a little difficult to penetrate at times, but the latter's hips spoke out clearly and hilariously. Sasha Frost is super as the underdressed and ever-distracted Brooke, and Jonathan Coy had us chuckling out loud at his need to understand his character's motivation. However for us, the standout had to be Joseph Millson as Garry. His physical comedy and over-the-top mugging recalled the great John Cleese. While the first act starts a little slowly, the second act is simply sublime. The mimed chaos caused backstage by the conflicting and confusing entanglements of the actors is absolutely inspired insanity. No matter how many times we see Frayn's classic, it always draws a laugh, but in this production it provokes the audience to howls of delight.

Rated: ★★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Nobby Clark.

Want to save on tickets? See our Tips page.

When, Where, Getting there:

Most Popular

Good Night, Oscar ★★★★ Barbican Centre | Jul 31 - Sep 21, 2025

St. Martin in-the-fields: Lunchtime Concerts ★★★★ FREE

The Daughter of Time ★★★ Charing CrossTheatre | Jul 18 - Sep 13, 2025

Brigadoon ★★★★ Regent's Park Open Air Theatre | Aug 2 - Sep 20, 2025

Every Brilliant Thing (with Lenny Henry) ★★★ @sohoplace | Aug 1 - Nov 8, 2025

A Role To Die For ★★★★ Marylebone Theatre | Jul 26 - Aug 30, 2025

Saving Mozart ★★ The Other Palace | Jul 28 - Aug 30, 2025

Rambert Dance in Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby ★★★ Sadler's Wells Theatre | August 5 - 16, 2025

Inter Alia ★★★★★ National Theatre | Jul 10 - Sep 13, 2025

The Diana Mixtape ★★★ HERE at Outernet | Jul 28 - Aug 10, 2025

The City Life Magazine | Reviews & Ratings