Noises Off, the classic farce by the Tony Award—winning author of Copenhagen, is not one play but two: simultaneously a ...
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Sep 19, 2009
notgettingenough
rated it: 
I've seen this three times. It's the most clever play, hysterically funny, really laugh-until-it-hurts-funny. But it has to be done by somebody top-notch. Luckily I've only bombed out once.
Michael Frayn suffers from being an all-rounder. I once read some advice he gave to aspiring writers. Find one thing to say and keep saying it, that's what people want out of an author. All-rounders are never respected. Luckily for most writers, they do only have about one thing to say.
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Michael Frayn suffers from being an all-rounder. I once read some advice he gave to aspiring writers. Find one thing to say and keep saying it, that's what people want out of an author. All-rounders are never respected. Luckily for most writers, they do only have about one thing to say.
More...
Jun 15, 2011
Junofive
rated it:
One of the funniest things I've ever read!
My first exposure to Noises Off came from a class in college, where it was listed on the course syllabus. We read portions of the text in class, and actually disrupted the class above us because we were laughing so hard and so loud.
It's very difficult, at first, to keep track of who is which character and when. Once you get past the initial difficulty, it's just a roller coaster ride of fun and hilarity.
I will say, though, that mos More...
My first exposure to Noises Off came from a class in college, where it was listed on the course syllabus. We read portions of the text in class, and actually disrupted the class above us because we were laughing so hard and so loud.
It's very difficult, at first, to keep track of who is which character and when. Once you get past the initial difficulty, it's just a roller coaster ride of fun and hilarity.
I will say, though, that mos More...
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Sep 11, 2011
Neil
rated it:
A farce of a farce--farce squared. A group of rather unfortunate actors try to put on a play while various affairs, alcohol problems, rivalries, and psychological problems gum up the works. It's difficult to read, particularly the second act where the action happening on stage runs down one side of the page while the action happening backstage is on the other. While the movie was entertaining, I don't think it captured everything here completely.
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Jan 01, 2009
Jack
rated it: 
Classic, ironic Michael Frayn with his play about a play-rehearsal which is going badly. All the characters have their "actor" identities as well as their character's name and identities. When am I really me and when am I acting out some half-understood script I've had thrust upon me? In what way is the play-audience dyad more like a human being than any character in a play?
Feb 12, 2008
Rachel C.
rated it:
A farcical play-within-a-play involving the cast of a fictional sex comedy called "Nothing On." The whole thing is seen from backstage, as the personal lives of the "actors" start interfering with the mechanics of the play - cues are missed, lines are misspoken and plates of sardines are misplaced.
Frayne shows he has the skills of a master conductor to create and shape seeming chaos - girls running about in their underwear, doors being open and shut, characters c More...
Frayne shows he has the skills of a master conductor to create and shape seeming chaos - girls running about in their underwear, doors being open and shut, characters c More...
Jan 20, 2012
E.p.
rated it:
Technically, I haven't read this play, but I saw it years and years ago, and I don't think I have ever laughed so much in a theatre. The first half winds the engine up - and BANG, the second half unwinds with relentless hilarity. In fact, there's a good production of it on in London at the moment - and I must remember to get some tickets.
Jul 27, 2011
Veronica
rated it:
This is one of the funniest plays I've ever read. Written as a "play within a play", the characters are portrayed as actors on and off stage. We see the backstage rehearsals and drama of their personal lives, and the antics when the show is on; we also see onstage missed cues and mishaps.
A "laugh out loud" farce.
A "laugh out loud" farce.
Feb 06, 2012
Cassie
rated it:
We performed this play at my high school when I was a sophomore and it was absolutely hillarious. Although it is a bit mature for high school in general, the entire cast had a blast with the production, especially the second act, which is primarily pantomimed. Absolutely wonderful.
Jul 23, 2009
Shea
rated it: 
I had more trouble reading this play than any other play I have ever read, including Shakespeare. There is so much going on. I really enjoyed it and we watched the movie version of the play as part of our library group discussion. I got more out of watching the play/movie having read it first but it was definitely more fun to watch than to read. The movie version was hilarious and the cast was absolutely outstanding...Michael Caine, Carol Burnett, Christopher Reeve, John Ritter, Marilu Henne
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May 08, 2011
Clay
rated it:
I love this play!!!!!! Read it again after quite some time and laughed harder than the first time. In fact my roommate asked more than once if I was okay because she thought I was going to hurt myself with all the laughter. Nice work, Michael Frayn. Nice work.
Jun 07, 2011
Hannah
rated it:
I've not read the book yet, but I saw the play and it is one of the funniest things I've ever watched! The entire time I laughed until I could hardly breathe... my face, my stomach, everything that is involved in laughing hurt by the time the play was over!
Dec 23, 2008
Silverspringsrr
rated it:
Despite being in a truly TRAUMATIC stage production of this show, I still love it, and think it is the funniest stage farce ever created. Insane and hilarious!
Feb 02, 2009
Patrick
rated it:
well, i performed a piece from this work and got rave reviews, so i went back and read the entire thing... it was amazing...an absolute must read
Mar 09, 2010
Amy
rated it:
Extremely confusing to read, but having seen it produced, I found it quite enjoyable. Silly farce....but we all need that sometime, don't we?
Nov 30, 2011
Jordan
rated it:
I loved this When I saw this I was really in tears ! I did not stop laughing. It was joke after joke! I Recommend this to any one!
Sep 14, 2009
Sarah
rated it:
Pure farce, and one of the funniest plays ever written, particularly for those who have ever worked in theatre.
Sep 23, 2009
Joy
rated it:
so confusing! everyone keeps running into each other! these early morining rehearsals are gonna kill me1
Jul 28, 2009
Meltha
rated it:
The funniest play in history. Period. The film version with Christopher Reeve is phenomenal as well.
Jul 30, 2011
Andrew
rated it:
Saw it again last night in the theatre - very funny - though the ending is a bit weak.
Jul 03, 2010
Andrea
rated it:
Funniest thing to date that I have been in. I was "Dottie/Mrs. Clackett". 1996
Jul 26, 2009
Heather
rated it:
Made me laugh out loud, despite being a challenge to follow at times. The movie adaptation was even funnier.
Dec 12, 2008
Cecilia
rated it:
Reading this makes me laugh out loud. But that's what farces are for, right?
but seriously...theatre about doing theatre? really?
but seriously...theatre about doing theatre? really?
Nov 14, 2008
Bayley
rated it:
This is literally one of the best plays I've ever seen, if not my favorite play I've ever read/seen. I do think this is one you need to have seen before you read it, or a lot of the slapstick (especially Act II) might go over your head. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves theater, or who is just a fan of humor! A brilliant work.
Nov 10, 2008
Rhonda
rated it:
I don't read a lot of plays, but I really enjoyed this one. I like a lot of Neil Simon comedies, but this farce takes the cake. Absolutely hilarious. Would love to have been involved with the production for this one. It's a play within a play and unravels and evolves in the most scandalous and riotously-riveting ways!
Dec 16, 2009
Salathiel
rated it:
One of my favorite plays to watch and perform. Farce at it's best and when you have a good cast it simply cannot be beat. I thought the movie was really well done too, but how can you wrong with a cast that has carol burnett, michael caine, and john ritter in it. Brilliant!
