Noises Off

Michael Frayn's Noises Off accomplishes the impossible: It is not only a side-splittingly funny farce in its own right, but also an homage to bedroom farces and a virtuoso examination of the form. I laughed myself silly when I first saw it staged in 1983, and found it even funnier in its current (2016) staging. But there is even more fun to be had in reading the script and seeing how brilliantly Frayn structured this play as a theme and variations. The stage directions are as funny as the dialog. Don't miss the parody of an academic discussion of farce at the very end of the book. I guarantee you'll never be able to read an academic discussion of drama without bursting into laughter.

This is easily the funniest play that I remember. I had tried to read it, but it doesn't easily open itself to the reader. You need to see it on stage. I saw it in a German translation, which didn't seem to damage the 'message'.You look at the stage from both sides here, and the full glory of stage craft becomes most apparent when looked at from behind the stage. Outrageously hilarious.Don't bother too much with the story, which is about a touring theatre group staging a screwball comedy. After a while, you won't be able to distinguish the actors from their characters.

Peter Bogdanovich has taked Marty Kaplan's screenplay of Michael Frayn's hilarious play and has done a great job bringing this English Bedroom Farce Comedy to the screen. Michal Frayn go the idea from actually watching a dress rehearsal, from back stage. This timing of this piece has to be perfect, like a Swiss watch. Bogdanovich and his all-Star cast, headlined by Carol Burnett does this perfectly. It's only the added scenes outside the theater, that for me diminishes the fun one can have with this play.

Great farce! Laugh(s) on every page. Brought back memories of the Carol Burnett / Michael Caine / John Ritter / Christopher Reeves movie. Looking forward to seeing this produced on stage.

Noises Off is the perfect example of a farce. It has all the qualities of a farce (fast paced, physical comedy, slapstick humor, etc), and I really enjoyed reading this play. Of course, it is a lot funnier if you watch it on stage or on screen, but picturing it in my head or watching an adaptation of the play makes it easier to picture as I am reading. Highly recommend!

i work with a theatre group and I am in charge of the script selection committee. This looks like it will be a fun play

I love the formatting! One of my pet peeves is a badly formatted script, but this is easy to understand and really gets the humor of the show across to the reader, even if they're not watching the show itself. I also love the props lists, etc. at the back of the book.

Will he directing this summer. Needed A script to pass around for potential actors to read. This was perfect

This version does not have the distinguishing between the play and the play within the play that other versions have. The type face is very small for reading whilst acting. I have returned mine.

Got this little gem bceause I had seen the movie with Micheal Caine. It was well worth buying. It's a great play. Well written. The characters are hilarious. Timing superb. Well worth reading and performing.

Noises Off is fast, funny and clever.When you read the script you realise how clever it really is!Recommended for all theatre fans

As described. Very happy.

great!!