The cast of Noises Off gathers backstage preshow before a performance. Front row from left, Hayden Harrier (Tim), Morgan Dempsey (Dotty) and Chloe Kelley (Poppy). Standing from left, Kyler Bradley (Freddie) Keily Owen (Brooke), Aiden Longobardo (Lloyd), Hadley Highfield (Belinda) and Carter Greeson (Garry).
The Southeast Whitfield High School Theatre Department opened its farcical comedy, Noises Off, for a five-performance run on Thursday night.
The play, written by Michael Frayn, chronicles the mishaps of a theatre troupe’s final rehearsal before opening night, and the ultimately less-than-stellar performance that follows.
“It’s such a fun night of theatre,” said Theatre teacher and director Adam Cook. “It really is non-stop laughs watching this troupe try to iron out the rough spots of a show hours before it opens. We hope folks will come out and support these great kids.”
This play-within-a-play story came out in the early 1980s and has long been a comedy benchmark in the world of theatre, said Mr. Cook.
“This is one of the most popular comedies of all time, but it’s a hard show to pull off with the timing and a set that rotates completely so that the audience can see the backstage shenanigans of the cast as they stumble through an unfortunate, albeit hilarious performance,” said Mr. Cook. “Our students have worked really hard on this show both on stage and behind the curtain. I’m excited for parents, friends, and the community as a whole to experience this show with us.”
The ensemble cast includes seniors Carter Greeson (Garry), Aiden Longobardo (Lloyd), Kyler Bradley (Freddie), and is rounded out by Keily Owen (Brooke), Morgan Dempsey (Dotty), Hadley Highfield (Belinda), Brandy Bradford (Selsdon), Chloe Kelley (Poppy), and Hayden Harrier (Tim). The cast also features Jaxon Martinez, Elijah Tucker, Charli Lewis, and Peyton Ramirez.
“This fun, high-energy cast really delivers, and our Technical Theatre class has really created a masterpiece of a set that the audience will appreciate,” said Mr. Cook.
Remaining performances will take place at the SHS Auditorium Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. with matinee performances Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Tickets for the show are $8. They can be purchased in advance online or at the door.
“It’s a great show, so we hope the community will come have some laughs with all these amazing kids we have here in Raider Nation,” said Mr. Cook.
Southeast Whitfield High School’s production runs through Sunday