REVIEW: Chaos, confusion, and comic brilliance took over the stage in Armidale Drama & Musical Society’s latest production of Noises Off, which opened to an enthusiastic crowd last week.
Michael Frayn’s classic farce is known for its split-second timing and physical comedy, and under the confident direction of Neil Horton, ADMS delivered a polished, laugh-out-loud performance from curtain up to final bow, a testament to the performers’ timing and the clarity of the staging.
The production’s two-storey set was visually striking — a towering construction complete with a rotating carousel that allowed audiences to see both the polished performance and the chaotic backstage antics that drive the story. The clever design enhanced the storytelling and provided a perfect backdrop for the escalating farce. The work of the set construction team would have been a mammoth task, requiring skill, coordination, and careful planning to bring such an ambitious design to life.
In Noises Off, the props are just as important as the performers. Doors, sardines, boxes, and bags all play their part in the comedy, and Act 3 is a whirlwind of backstage mayhem. Doors slam, boxes and bags fly, and sardines and performers spill in every direction — a perfect demonstration of the precision and timing required to pull off farce. Each prop is handled with skill, supporting the action and enhancing the illusion of total disorder while maintaining complete control. The physical comedy combined seamlessly with the sharp dialogue, keeping the energy high and the humour consistently engaging.
The ensemble cast worked together flawlessly, balancing physical comedy with sharp character work. Every performer leaned into the exaggerated personalities of their dual roles — as both actors in the fictional play Nothing On and the frazzled troupe trying to keep it together offstage. The third act demonstrated just how crucial timing is in farce. Each missed cue, collapsing routine, and frantic improvisation was executed with precision, perfectly illustrating the risks inherent in this genre and the skill required to make it work. It is impossible to single out one performer — a testament to the quality of direction, thorough rehearsal, and the commitment of the entire cast.
Special mention must also go to the technical crew, whose coordination matched the actors’ energy beat for beat. Set rotations, sound cues, and lighting shifts all ran like clockwork, keeping the momentum high and the humour flowing seamlessly. The clever layering of backstage chaos over onstage performance reminded the audience of just how intricate farce can be, and how easily it can collapse if not executed with care.
Noises Off is famously described as “a play about a play that goes wrong,” and this production got everything exactly right. It is a triumph of timing, teamwork, and theatrical daring — a night of laughter that proves, once again, regional theatre is thriving in the New England. The lesson for future productions is clear: with a short season of only seven performances, don’t wait for word of mouth — book early and be part of the action.
There are two shows left today 11 October – 2pm matinee and 7.30pm final show – book tickets here https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1448188
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