Review: Noises Off at the Nuffield Theatre, Southampton

'˜This is getting farcical' '“ as one character so aptly puts it '“ and what farce and fun there is to be had in the Nuffield's latest offering Noises Off by Michael Frayn.

We open on a dress rehearsal, a matter of hours before curtain-up and nothing is running smoothly.

Actors make up lines, props go missing and no one is sure if the show will actually happen.

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Theatre and all its intricacies are laid bare, jokes and seeds (or should that be sardines?) are planted ready for the audience to sit back and watch the chaos unfurl.

With it’s carefully, interwoven subtext spilling out on to the stage, it really is a joy to behold when the action kicks up a gear in the second half.

A special mention must go to designer Robert Innes Hopkins whose fabulous set completely reinforces the entire show.

The cast are a fantastic example of ensemble work with every performance strong and slick, executing a perfectly-timed choreographed section with such quick precision it had the audience clapping and laughing for more.

The frenetic energy of the whole show is mesmerising, relentlessly uproariously riotously funny.

It’s a must see!

Catch it while you can.

Until Saturday 25th June.

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