By LeAnna Hamblin
If you hear waves of raucous laughter in Washington Terrace, it’s probably coming from the audiences of Beverly’s Terrace Plaza Playhouse’s Noises Off. This farcical comedy, written by Michael Frayn, has been bringing audiences to tears of laughter since it first premiered in 1982 at the Lyric Theatre in London. Each of the three acts is a repeat of the same play, Nothing On, that a group of unsure actors and one very frustrated director is attempting to present. The show brings the most frustratingly funny parts of theater to the forefront for the audience to experience. As a theater lover, I appreciated the nuances this show brings that most may not realize happen during a production. The moment the metaphorical curtain rises on this show, the audience is engrossed in a behind the scenes of how stage magic is created.
Directors W. Derek Hendricks and Breanne Hendricks have gathered an immensely talented cast and crew. Nothing On director Lloyd Dallas (Jed Broberg) embodies the nature of the stereotypical director and is very specific how he envisions the show, down to the placement of the last sardine and the slam of each door. Broberg is commanding onstage—or rather, from the back of the audience—as he continually interrupts the final rehearsal to fine tune each scene. As the hour of opening looms nearer, Broberg increases the intensity, saying what needs to be said to get his actors to pour their hearts and souls into the show.
One of the best onstage relationships is between Lloyd Davis and Dotty Otley (Melissa Trenery), who plays Mrs. Clackett in Nothing On. Dotty, the know-it-all who never forgets the direction she receives, tends to think she has a better grasp on how the show should be directed than the director does. Trenery’s facial expressions, body language, and timing draw the audience into Dotty’s frustration. Her physicality is important in this role as she interacts with the other cast members—and the sardines, of course.
Another great onstage pairing is Garry Lejeune (Steve Petersen), who plays Roger Tramplemain, an uptight businessman, and Brooke Ashton (MaKell Knight) playingthe flighty temptress, Vicki. Petersen and Knight could not be more different in appearance; however, they play off each other well in demeanor and attitude. Petersen portrays well a Garry who is a decent actor who cannot finish his thoughts as he converses and problem solves with the cast. Knight’s Ashton has no idea what is going on when she’s not doing a scene and can barely take care of herself. Petersen and Knight do an outstanding job of bringing comedy to these characters. Both understand what it takes to make the characters lovable and authentic.
Spencer Stevens plays a convincing Frederick Fellowes, an insecure actor looking for reassurance in his life choices. The most entertaining aspect is all the questions he asks about the purpose behind his character, Philip Brent, in a way that is both comedic and true to life. Belinda Blair (Erin Trump) is the ever-loving stage mother. Trump epitomizes this role, as she drives the cast forward and keeps things positive, calling everyone “dear” and “sweetheart.” Trump’s magnetic personality makes the audience feel as if they are part of the show.
No cast is complete without one who never knows what is going on and who is always missing when you need them onstage. Selsdon Mowbray (Justin ‘Spot’ Beecher) fills that slot with the small role of the Burglar in Nothing On. Not once does Beecher break character, and the choices he makes to have his character stand apart are iconic. Stage manager (S.M.), Tim Allgood (Tyler Bell) and assistant stage manager (A.S.M) Poppy Norton-Taylor (Dawn Allen) round out the key players in this cast. If you’re not playing attention, you may think these two are the actual S.M. and A.S.M. for Noises Off instead of Nothing On. Bell drags himself onstage as the overworked and exhausted man that does it all, even filling in for other actors who may or may not show up for their parts. Allen is so perfect in filling her role as A.S.M., coming on and off for every little problem that needs to be solved all the while trying to keep her own life from falling apart.
The set is very impressive, and designer W. Hendricks should be proud of the ingenuity it took to create such an impressive piece in a limited space. Costumers Stephanie Petersen and Jim Tatton pay particular attention to the small details that occur during the long run of a production as we see Nothing On complete its run. Although there were no microphones used, and at times it was hard to hear the actors over the laughter of the audience, Technical and Sound Designer D D Lynch’s attention to other technical aspects in the show are superb.
Noises Off at Terrace Plaza Playhouse in Washington Terrace is a hilariously entertaining show for anyone — the young children in the audience were laughing right along with the adults. Take your friends and family;you’ll be laughing for days.
Beverly’s Terrace Plaza Playhouse presents Noises Off, Written by Michael Frayn.
Beverly’s Terrace Plaza Playhouse, 99 E 4700 S, Ogden, UT 84405
August 9-September 21, 2019 7:30 PM, Monday, Friday-Saturday
Tickets: $10-$17
Contact: 801-393-0070, theterraceplazaplayhouse@gmail.com
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