Penned by English playwright Michael Frayn in 1982, NOISES OFF was originally conceived while Frayn was watching “The Two of Us,” another of his farces written for Lynn Redgrave. To quote Frayn, “It was funnier from behind than in front, and I thought that one day I must write a farce from behind (“A Curtain Up Review” by Barbara Mehlman, retrieved on 18 September 2013). NOISES OFF premiered in London to excellent reviews and ran for five years. In 1983, it finally reached Broadway, where it received a Drama Desk Award for outstanding ensemble cast. The play proved so popular that it was adapted by Marty Kaplan for a 1992 film directed by Peter Bogdanovich and starring Carol Burnett, Michael Caine, and Christopher Reeves. In 2025, the Geffen Playhouse proudly presents NOISES OFF, a co-production with Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
Ora Jones, Audrey Francis, and James Vincent Meredith – Photo by Jeff Lorch
NOISES OFF is a play within a play, with the play inside the play a sex farce called “Nothing On.” An unfortunate group of talent-challenged actors are desperately trying to get their act together – but, whether it be onstage or offstage, chaos reigns. Doors slam – or won’t open at all – sardines fly, and trousers drop in this tale of a troupe of actors whose forgotten lines, misplaced props, and steamy romantic entanglements make it impossible for the show to go on. But go on it does, to the hilarious delight of audiences. Frayn clearly got his wish – a show within a show with both stage and backstage starring in this comedy of errors. By the way, NOISES OFF refers to sounds coming from offstage – and they are aplenty in this sidesplitting tribute to slapstick and all-things-physical comedy.
Francis Guinan, Vaneh Assadourian, James Vincent Meredith, Rick Holmes, and Amanda Fink – Photo by Jeff Lorch
Skillfully directed by Anna D. Shapiro – who clearly understands the basic ideas behind physical comedy – and starring a group of actors who seem to having the time of their lives in a play dependent on pratfalls, exact timing, and keeping the action going fast and furious even if clothing begins to fall in every direction and nobody seems to know what’s going on. The cast features Vaneh Assadourian, Amanda Fink, Audrey Francis, Francis Guinan, Rick Holmes, Ora Jones, David Lind, James Vincent Meredith, and Max Stewart.
Audrey Francis, Ora Jones, Rick Holmes, and Francis Guinan – Photo by Jeff Lorch
Not to be outdone by this crazy and crazed tale, the production team does a bang-up job of helping the insanity peak. Todd Rosenthal’s scenic design is remarkable, with the entire stage doing a 360 to reveal both sides of a theatrical stage at different points in the mad scramble story. Izumi Inaba’s costumes fit right in, and Josh Epstein’s lighting and Cricket S. Myers’ sound add to the general mayhem. AUDIENCE ALERT: The production contains sexual content.
Ora Jones – Photo by Jeff Lorch
NOISES OFF will definitely appeal to audiences who hold slapstick close to their heart – with others who enjoy farce at its best coming along for the hilarious ride. NOISES OFF should prove one of the Geffen Theatre’s most popular productions this season.
Ora Jones, Audrey Francis, James Vincent Meredith, Amanda Fink, David Lind, and Max Stewart – Photo by Jeff Lorch
NOISES OFF runs through March 9, 2025, with performances at 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sundays. The Gil Cates Theater is located in the Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024. Tickets range from $41 to $155. For Information and reservations, call 310-208-2028 or go online.
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