For a good laugh, see The Little Theatre’s 'Noises Off'

Photo by Shane Canfield Gayle Nichols-Grimes as Dotty

ALEXANDRIA, VA. - The Little Theatre of Alexandria continues its tradition of quality productions with its current play, “Noises Off,” with the return of Little Theater Veteran director C. Evans Kirk.  
 
The play ran on Broadway and film version with Christopher Reeve and Carol Burnett may be familiar to many readers.  Noises off was written by Michael Frayn.
 

Photo by Shane Canfield Bruce Alan Rauscher as Lloyd

Actors are rehearsing for a play and we observe them perform Act I of the play.  After Intermission the well designed set revolves and we observe the same act of that play from the backstage perspective.  
 
Thanks to the philandering of the director, relationships between the actors have deteriorated making it next to impossible for them to work together.    Moreover, because they are backstage during their play, they cannot speak and the act is performed without any lines, except one.  
 
As such the play involves much physical acting, almost slapstick, and indeed the playwright’s intention was to put on a true farce---a particular kind of comedy that pokes fun at how humanity perceives itself and presents itself.  Think John Cleese.  
 
The genre of farce is almost uniquely British and many popular British TV series have been of this genre, such as Fawlty Towers, and plays such as the Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.  The opening night audience was appreciative, frequently erupting into laughter. The cast was balanced in their performances, and each character was convincing and consistent.  
 
“When I saw that the Little Theater was going to do this play, I just had to come back for it,"  said actor Bruce Alan Krauscher, who plays Lloyd Dallas. "I need to perform in theaters where I can grow as an actor.”
 

Photo by Shane Canfield Lars Klores as Frederick, Bruce Alan Rauscher as Lloyd, and Adam Downs as Garry

“We were so lucky to have such a great, responsive audience," actor Rachael Hubbard (Belinda Blair) said. "We had to work really hard to stay on cue,” she added, in order for it to be funny.  
 
Actor John Crowley noted: “I have performed in community theater in which they skimped on certain things.  Here at the Little Theater you get a full-fledged production.”  
Theater goer Mike Brockler waxed enthusiastic about the play: “It is phenomenal, action-packed!”
 
The cast used a dialect coach to perform the play with British accents, true to the setting which is in England.
 
Noises Off will run at the Little Theater of Alexandria until November 26. For more information see www.thelittletheatre.com or call the box office at 703-683-0496.