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Past Reviews

Regional Reviews: St. Louis

Noises Off
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Also see Richard's review of The Price


Dale Hodges
If there really is an apocalypse out there in our future, it'll probably bear a strong resemblance to Michael Frayn's farce-to-end-all-farces, Noises Off.

I've just been to the Rep's new production, directed by Edward Stern. And as I watched, my mouth fell open in amazement for at least half the show. I'd already seen it twice in the past, at other theaters, so you wouldn't think it would take me by surprise.

But it's a remarkable, breathless, end-of-the-world experience, in the best possible way. It's like electro-shock therapy, I imagine: everything else just sizzles into non-existence, in the face of sheer comic terror and abandon. Miraculous.

It's apocalyptic, I think, because each character gives in to some basic primal urge, and then there's some series of misunderstandings, times about eleven, and then everyone tries to accommodate the inevitable disasters, and "just keep going," as Belinda (Victoria Adams-Zischke) bravely says, over and over: in spite of every petty outrage, and every grievous humiliation. It's all so brilliant, and hopeless and hilarious.

As most theater-folk will know, the story covers a traveling actors' troupe, putting on a prop-heavy sex-farce (Nothing On), with seven doors slamming left and right, and little or no time to get it right. And then, of course, all the usual things that would typically go wrong in the privacy of a normal rehearsal schedule must transpire on the road, during the tour, in the midst of various performances.

The results are ghastly for the little troupe, but your brain will feel like it's exploding with light, once it's all over. For me, the feeling lasted for over four hours. (If this sense of exaltation lasts longer than four hours, contact your physician.)

So far, in my experience, this is the absolute perihelion of the concept: insanely complicated, and yet fairly simple to follow (if that makes any sense); appalling in its low aspirations, and stunning as a mighty group achievement. The human comedy in absolute explosion.

Through April 13, 2014, on the Browning Mainstage, at the Loretto-Hilton theater building, 130 Edgar Rd., on the campus of Webster University. For more information visit www.repstl.org

The Players (in speaking order)
Dotty Otley: Dale Hodges
Lloyd Dallas: Fletcher McTaggart
Brooke Ashton: Ruth Pferdehirt
Garry Lejeune: John Scherer
Poppy Norton-Taylor: Rebeca Miller
Frederick Fellowes: Andy Prosky
Belinda Blair: Victoria Adams-Zischke
Tim Allgood: Kevin Sebastian
Selsdon Mowbray: Joneal Joplin

The Crew
Director: Edward Stern
Scenic Designer: James Wolk
Costume Design: Elizabeth Covey
Lighting Designer: Peter E. Sargent
Sound Designer: Rusty Wandall
Casting Director: Rich Cole
Stage Manager: Champe Leary
Assistant Stage Manager: Tony Dearing


Photo: Jerry Naunheim, Jr.


-- Richard T. Green