Review of Noises Off at Norwich Theatre Royal: Play is two hours of silliness which is just the tonic for this time of year

Noises Off – Theatre Royal, Norwich

This is just the tonic for this time of year - just over two hours of silliness which will have you chortling away.

The all-star cast of Liza Goddard, Simon Shepherd, Matthew Kelly and Lucy Robinson excel as ageing members of a theatrical company putting on a play called Nothing On.

Using the play within a play device, you witness them both on stage and behind the scenes, as the comedy explores their relationships and rivalries, and there’s always the constant pressure of ‘the show must go on’!

Written by Michael Frayn in the 1980s, it is really a modern take on a classic farce.

There is much opening and closing of doors, states of undress, confusion and general mayhem as they struggle to get through the play night after night despite personal jealousies and just about everything going wrong.

It all looks a bit Fawlty Towers but is, of course, carefully rehearsed and choreographed - a well-oiled machine with performers at the top of their game offering us a double-entendre-filled evening of fun!

Do look out for the constant references to sardines - just another example of the crazy humour on offer!

The comedy has now finished its Norwich run but is continuing its run across the country. For more of what’s on in Norwich, visit www.norwichtheatre.org.

Review by Sarah Hardy