Am Dram

Since 1935, the Newcastle Players have been a part of theatre life in north Staffordshire, performing a huge variety of plays from a wide array of playwrights - from Ayckbourn to Wilde, and from Pinter to Coward.
You can see more about our history on our website (the URL is at the botom of this page).

We knew that a play marking this anniversary would need to be particularly special. Luckily, 'Noises Off' by Michael Frayn, which we are staging at the Stoke Repertory Theatre from 10th-14th November, is just such a play.

'Noises Off', regarded as a 20th Century classic, began life as a one act play called 'Exits' in the mid seventies.
Over the next ten years, it was expanded into 'Noises Off' and first produced in 1982. It was a runaway success, and ran in the West End for five years, gaining both the Evening Standard and Olivier Awards for Best Comedy.

Noises Off

Essentially a farce about farce, 'Noises Off' is actually two plays in one. In the first act, the curtain opens and it appears that we are watching a very traditional British sex farce, 'Nothing On'.  It is quickly revealed that we are in fact watching the dress rehearsal of the play, taking place a few hours before the opening night.

The second act is set during a performance of 'Nothing On'. The set has been turned 180 degrees to reveal the backstage of the theatre, and while on stage the play is going fairly smoothly, backstage, chaos is unfolding... and a shocking secret is revealed.

The third act shows the last performance of 'Nothing On's' tour. The effects of the twelve week are evident on the actors as they struggle to get through the play, hold onto their lines, all the while contending with a stage littered with sardines and settling scores with each other.

Ambitious

As you can see it's a demanding play, and has been quite a challenge for the whole company...

'Noises Off' demands tremendous skill and energy from all actors involved. They have to create two distinct characters and jump from one to the other with split second timing, as well as learning masses of lines, and being adept at physical comedy. (Running up stairs two at a time with trousers around ankles, a bathmat stuck to your head and a nosebleed is one of the easier demands on the actors!).

The backstage team don't get off lightly either.
Firstly, the set is the most ambitious the Players have attempted in our history. Comprising of two sides, with a multitude of doors, two staircases, and a balcony, it needs to be sturdy and be able to carry the weight of actors charging up and down the stairs, and have doors slammed repeatedly.

If you are in need of a laugh this November, then come along to the Rep and prepare to giggle, chortle, snigger and maybe even cry a bit until your sides split.

And help us celebrate our three-quarters of a century!

*Ticket details available at:   http://newcastleplayers.org.uk/