STAGE REVIEW 'Noises Off' cast is spot-on

The play-within-a-play provides myriad laughs.
By GARRY L. CLARK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State University Theater opened its production of "Noises Off" on Thursday evening with a high level of energy and hilarious performances.
Michael Frayn's farce of a play within a play provides myriad laughs at both the on-stage and "behind the scenes" antics of a group of British actors trying to mount a production of "Nothing On," which serves as the "play" within the play.
Plot
The story opens with the "famed" Dotty Otley, the star of "Nothing On," in final rehearsals of her role as Mrs. Clackett, housekeeper to Philip and Flavia Brent, who have fled to Spain to avoid the Inland Revenue (that would be IRS to you and me).
But behind the scenes, Dotty is having an affair with a young co-star, Garry Lejeune, while it seems that the production's director, Lloyd Dallas, has been having some dalliances of his own with one of the actresses, Brooke Ashton, and his assistant, Poppy Norton-Taylor.
Adding to the mayhem is the drunken has-been, Selsdon Mowbray, the recently separated Frederick Fellowes and the worn-out stage manager, Tim Allgood.
Sound confusing? It is. But as this fast-paced hilarious farce moves along, the plot thickens into an evening of pure fun and slapstick comedy.
"Noises Off" requires an enormous amount of energy from each cast member, and this ensemble was completely up to the challenge with both their lines and their wonderfully executed physical humor.
The play can also be a nightmare for the set crew, as the second act requires the set to be turned "inside out" so we can see the zaniness going on "backstage" during a performance. Then, for the third act it is again reversed as the entire "production" implodes upon the various cast members.
Cast
Time and space constraints prevent singling out any one of this stellar cast, as each turned in a tour de force performance with absolutely perfect comic timing.
Those in the cast are Holly M. Massaro as Dotty Otley, Dangilo Brian Bonilla as Lloyd Dallas, Anthony Genovese as Garry Lejeune, Jennifer McCombs as Brooke Ashton, Alecia Sarkis as Poppy Norton-Taylor, Matthew Turner as Frederick Fellowes, Stena J. Buck as Belinda Blair, Josh Davidson as Tim Allgood and Gary Shackleford as Selsdon Mowbray.
This superb performance was lacking in only one small area: My apologies to the cast, but the British accents were weak and very intermittent, sounding too much like what it was: Nine Americans trying to sound British.
Be that as it may, Dennis Henneman's excellent direction keeps things moving at a roller coaster pace, and scenic design by John Murphy is truly inspired, making "Noises Off" well worth the evening.
clark@vindy.com