Attending Rep's NOISES OFF press preview.

I still cannot believe that it's been 3 months since I last wrote here. And how appropriate that I'm back to writing, and writing about theater, no less. And as an added bonus, it's about one of my favorite plays that I've read!

Ever since I watched Noises Off (the film version, not the theatrical version), I was craving to read it, and to watch it staged live. It truly is one very VERY relatable play if you're in the world of theater. I remember literally slapping my knee and rolling on the floor with laughter when it came to a crucial part in the film where, literally, there were no noises offstage, or backstage, for that matter, which is where the title of the play came from.

I was coming from an evening dance fitness class before the preview show, and I had so little time to freshen up, change clothes and look decent before I had to rush to Onstage theater in Greenbelt.

I was so excited to see the set upon entering the theater, but the curtains were drawn over most of the stage. I was excited because the set was one big factor in this play. You'll find out why soon enough.

The show starts out with Frances Makil-Ignacio going onstage to answer a phone call. The scene goes on, and after a while, to people's surprise, she drops character and talks to herself, muttering confused stage directions. Then suddenly a loud booming voice from offstage--from somewhere inside the auditorium--gives her the correct stage directions. It's the director of the play-within-a-play, played by Chinggoy Alonso. Yes, my dears, this is a play within a play.

Noises Off tackles the hilarious drama and mishaps of life in the theater during its hectic and crazy production runs. You'll realize how crazy tech week can be, the pressure and the crunch time just to pull off a good show for the audience before the curtain rises on opening night. And of course, you can't miss out on actors' personal dramas with other people, especially with their co-actors and other members of the company. Believe me, coming from a firsthand experience, you wouldn't want to miss out on those.

Each of the cast of characters have their own quirks and issues, and they're greatly expressed all throughout the show, at first somewhat discreetly, but as the play progresses and issues heat up, what you'll see is backstage chaos, but of course, "noises off!"

One thing that sets this play apart is that for the second act, its entire set turns around 180 degrees to show the backstage part of the play-within-a-play's set. Once the backstage is revealed, so is the craziness and chaos (sometimes organized, and sometimes just downright ridiculous) that comes with it. Wait for the third act, and the set turns back around again.

I seriously recommend that you guys watch this play. You won't regret it. If you're a theater person, you'll also relate to the quiet chaos that you'll see emerge during Act 2. It's delightfully funny and you'll tire out of laughter. Sometimes you'll even attempt to control your laughs as if you're also backstage with them.

Noises Off runs from March 28 until April 13, then from April 25 to 27, 2014 at the Onstage theater in Greenbelt 1, Makati.

Tickets are conveniently available through Ticketworld at 891-9999, or www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Repertory Philippines' NOISES OFF

First off, here's a press release and cast announcement of Rep's Noises Off. I got the opportunity to come to the press preview last March 27, Thursday. My experience at the preview to follow.

“NOISES OFF” TAKES OFF !  --- SET TO OPEN MARCH 28

            Repertory Philippines proudly presents the hilarious ‘Noises Off’, the third offering for its 77^th season.

            Written in 1982 by English playwright Michael Frayn, Noises Off—a stage term indicating sounds coming from offstage—is a play within a play, the story of a temperamental director and a troupe of hapless performers putting up a silly sex farce called Nothing On.

The present production of Noises Off, which is directed by Miguel V. Faustmann, runs from March 28 to April 13 and from April 25 to April 27, 2014 at Onstage, 2/F, Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas corner Legazpi St., Makati City.

            The idea for Noises Off came to Frayn while he was watching one of his other plays, The Two of Us, from the wings. Noting that it was “funnier from behind than in front,” he was inspired to create a one-act play called Exits, which he later expanded into what would become Noises Off.  

Repertory Philippines has assembled a stellar cast for the current production, most of whom play actors playing roles in the fictitious play Nothing On.

Veteran performer CHINGGOY ALONSO plays Lloyd Dallas, the director of the play-within-a-play.

The role of forgetful actress Dotty Otley, who plays housekeeper Mrs. Clackett, is assayed by FRANCES MAKIL IGNACIO.

 Returning to Rep after many years away, PAUL HOLME takes on the role of alcoholic stage veteran Selsdon Mowbray, who in turn plays a burglar.

Another erstwhile Rep regular, SHIELA VALDERRAMA-MARTINEZ, plays cheerful actress Belinda Blair, who plays Flavia Brent.

Shiela’s real-life husband LORENZ MARTINEZ, another Rep stalwart, takes on the role of Garry Lejeune, who takes on the role of Roger Tramplemain.

CARLA GUEVARA-LAFORTEZA, yet another returning Repper, plays Brooke Ashton, who plays a sexpot named Vicki.

GERARD SISON assays the role of actor Frederick Fellowes, who plays Flavia’s husband Philip Brent, the owner of the house in which the play-within-a-play is set.

The backstage staff of the fictitious show is composed of PEACHY ATILANO’s Poppy Norton-Taylor (the show’s assistant stage manager) and NIKO DANS’s Tim Allgood (the company stage manager). Both Poppy and Tim understudy various roles in Nothing On.

            The unique humor of Noises Off comes from the intricacies of plot and character interwoven with the personalities of the actors and the show they’re trying to perform. Respected New York Times critic Frank Rich called it “the funniest play written in my lifetime,” and now is your chance to see why.

For details of the show, you may contact us in the following ways:

            By phone: 843-3570 or 555-0082 (UPDATED OFFICE NUMBERS)

           By e-mail: shows@repertoryphilippines.com

            By Internet: http://www.repertoryphilippines.com

NOTE: The Repertory Philippines office has changed locations from Ortigas to Makati. Our new address is Unit 13 and 14 Ecoville, Executive Townhouses, Metropolitan Avenue, Makati.

Tickets are available through Ticketworld at 891-9999, or via http://www.ticketworld.com.ph/

 Connect to Repertory Philippines online through the following social media networks:

           Facebook:     www.facebook.com/repertoryphilippines

Twitter:          www.twitter.com/repphils

Instagram:    www.instagram.com/repphils

YouTube:     www.youtube.com/repphils

Repertory Philippines would like to thank the following media partners and establishments for their support: Broadwayworld.com, ClickTheCity.com, Radio Republic, WhenInManila.com, BusinessWorld, Lane Moving and Storage,  Herword.com, Ticketworld.com, Solar News, Raintree Restaurants (Mr. Jones, Kabila, MOMO Café, and Museum Café), Greenbelt, Ayala Malls, and Lightshapers.

“NOISES OFF” was first presented, by special arrangement with Michael Cordon, at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, on February 23^rd, 1982, and on March 31^st by Michael Cordron at the Savoy Theatre, London.

“NOISES OFF” is presented by special arrangement with United Agents LLP.

See you at the theater!