MICHAEL FRAYN’S MULTI-AWARD-WINNING COMEDY HITS NEWCASTLE

Noises Off, the multi-award-winning backstage comedy written by Michael Frayn, is to tour to Newcastle Theatre Royal following its acclaimed run at London’s Old Vic.  Winner of both Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Comedy, and featuring an all-star cast, it is the must-not-miss theatrical event of the Spring, Mon 22 – Sat 27 April. Directed by Lindsay Posner, this new revival of Frayn’s iconic comedy has  become the highest grossing show in the history of The Old Vic Theatre Company, and was an instant hit when it arrived in the West End last year, going on to win multiple awards. Noises off serves up a riotous double bill - a play within a play. Hurtling along at breakneck speed it follows the backstage antics of a touring theatre company as they stumble their way through rehearsals of dreadful sex-comedy Nothing On to a shambolic first night and a final disastrous performance. The cast gradually become embroiled in their own backstage relationships, dramas and shenanigans, resulting in bedlam and turmoil both onstage and off and setting up a sequence of hilarious slapstick comedy scenarios. Frayn was inspired to write the play in 1970 when he was standing backstage watching a performance of his farce Chinamen, and realised there was as much, if not more comedy taking place behind the scenes as on the stage.  Noises Off was born, taking its title from the theatrical stage direction indicating sounds that are meant to originate off stage. This new production features an all-star cast plucked from the worlds of stage and screen - David Bark-Jones, Maureen Beattie, Simon Bubb, Danielle Flett, Geoffrey Freshwater, Chris Larkin, Neil Pearson, Thomasin Rand and Sasha Waddell. Michael Frayn has written sixteen plays, including Copenhagen, Afterlife, Benefactors, Donkeys’ Years, and Democracy. He has also translated for the theatre, mostly Chekhov and other plays from the Russian, and adapted Chekhov’s first, untitled play as Wild Honey. He has written a number of screenplays, including Clockwise, starring John Cleese. His eleven novels include The Tin Men, Towards the End of the Morning, Headlong, Spies, and most recently Skios. Lindsay Posner was Associate Director at the Royal Court Theatre from 1987 to 1992 where his production of Death and The Maiden won two Olivier Awards. His other theatre credits are numerous – to name a few, Butley starring Dominic West (Duchess Theatre), Fool For Love starring Juliette Lewis (Apollo Theatre), and recently Uncle Vanya, starring Ken Stott, Anna Friel, Samuel West and Laura Carmichael. David Bark-Jones plays Gary Lejeune who plays Roger Tramplemain. David has worked extensively on screen, his film credits include roles in Guy Richie’s RocknRolla and The Da Vinci Code, and on television he has appeared in BBC’s Pride and Prejudice, New Tricks, Young James Herriott and in Channel 4’s drama The Pillars of the Earth. Maureen Beattie plays Dotty Otley who plays Mrs Clackett, the Brent’s housekeeper. Maureen’s screen credits include Lewis, Vera, Taggart, Casualty and Channel 4’s Twelfth Night. She has performed extensively with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Simon Bubb plays Tim Allgood, the Stage Manager. Simon was in the original London cast of War Horse and has appeared in several other productions at the National Theatre. Geoffey Freshwater plays Selsdon Mowbray who plays the Burglar. Geoffrey’s many television credits include Foyle’s War, Law & Order and Channel 4’s drama The Government Inspector. He has appeared in several productions with the Royal Shakespeare Company - recently at Newcastle Theatre Royal, As You Like It, King Lear and Anthony and Cleopatra. Chris Larkin plays Frederick Fellowes who plays Phillip Bent. Chris can currently be seen as Bernard in the new series of Yes, Prime Minister on Gold. Other screen credits include Master and Commander, Valkyrie, Tea with Mussolini, Dr. Who and Hitler: The Rise of Evil. Neil Pearson plays the director of ‘Nothing On’, Lloyd Dallas. Neil is perhaps best known for his roles in the television series’ Drop the Dead Donkey, Between the Lines and Monroe, as well as the films Bridget Jones’ Diary and Bridget Jones’ Diary: Edge of Reason. Danielle Flett plays Assistant Stage Manager, Poppy Norton-Taylor, Thomasin Rand plays the part of Brooke Ashton who plays the part of Vicki and Sasha Waddell plays Belinda Blair who plays Flavia Brent. Noises Off is produced on tour by The Old Vic Theatre Company and Old Vic Productions. Noises Off appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from 22 – 27 April 2013 (Evenings: 7.30pm, Matinees: Thursday 2pm and Saturday 2.30pm). Tickets are £9.00 and can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk