On Nov. 13 and 15., the Student Lead Acting Program (SLAP) performed “Noises Off,” written by Michael Frayn and directed by Jeremy Herrin. “Noises Off” features the cast of a production called “Nothing On.”
The characters navigate on-stage catastrophes, several forgotten lines and drama between cast members. Lloyd Dallas (AJ Flynn, 12), Director, attempts to piece the show together amid the turmoil.
Act I begins by introducing the characters in the midst of their dress rehearsal.
Dotty Otley, starring as Mrs. Clackett (Mahala Smith, 10), plays the forgetful maid with a fascination for sardines. Her character beautifully offsets conundrums with witty lines. Mrs. Clackett is an unofficial host to everyone who comes through the house.
Brooke Ashton, played by Vicki (Freya Diss, 12), and Garry Lejeune as Roger Tramplemain (Braden Anderson, 9) act as a couple sneaking into the home of rich accountants vacationing in Spain. Roger claims to be the owner of the house to impress Brooke.
A sudden twist occurs when the accountants, Frederick Fellowes as Phillip Brent (Sawyer Smith, 12) and Belinda Blair as Flavia Brent (Sydney Roethler, 10), secretly sneak back home to relax without any intrusions.
Selson Mowbray (Kenna Gage, 12), acting as a burglar, breaks into the house. Mowbray humorously poses as a handyman.
The show is excitingly fast-paced, with characters entering and exiting scenes quickly.
Acts II and III show the behind-the-scenes and on-stage chaos of the cast’s two performances.
Poppy Norton-Taylor (Grace Dalmasso, 10), Stage Director, and Tina Allgood (Naomi Weber, 10), Assistant Stage Manager, are an indispensable duo that act as the heartbeat of the show. The two entertainingly contrast each other, Poppy being the assertive one and Tina being more timid.
The success of the production can be attributed to the Directors, Savannah Page, 12, and Tyler Dehart, 12, and Assistant Directors, Rowan Ianonne, 11, and Jenner McMorris, 11. Audrey Adams, 12, also helped the show run smoothly as the Technical Director.
SLAP’s performance of “Noises Off” provided an intriguing and comical account of the real-life work put into productions that the audience never sees.
