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Noises Off (2026): Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox FHODS Production
{{FHODS Banner
| title = [[Noises Off]]
| eyebrow = FHODS Production · 2026
| image = [[File:Noises_Off_(2026).jpg||300px|center]]
| title  = Noises Off
| caption = Noises Off promotional image
| sub    = By Michael Frayn · The Tower Theatre, Folkestone
| dates = 14-16 May 2026
}}
| venue = [[The Tower Theatre]]
 
{{Infobox Production
| title   = Noises Off
| image   = Noises_Off_(2026).jpg
| caption = Noises Off promotional image
| dates   = 14–16 May 2026
| venue   = [[The Tower Theatre]]
| director = [[Aaron Birks]]
| director = [[Aaron Birks]]
| writer  = [[Michael Frayn]]
| producer = [[Rebekah Reynolds]]
| producer = [[Rebekah Reynolds]]
| assistantproducer =
| license  = Amateur production by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd on behalf of Samuel French Ltd
| writer =
| assistantdirector =
| musicaldirector =
| choreographer =
}}
}}


The [[Folkestone-Hythe Operatic and Dramatic Society]] presented Noises Off by [[Michael Frayn]] on 14-16 May 2026 at [[The Tower Theatre]], Folkestone. An amateur production by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd.
The [[Folkestone-Hythe Operatic and Dramatic Society]] presented [[Noises Off]] by [[Michael Frayn]] on 14–16 May 2026 at [[The Tower Theatre]], Folkestone. An amateur production by arrangement with [[Concord Theatricals Ltd]] on behalf of [[Samuel French Ltd]].
 
{{FHODS Section|Synopsis}}
 
Called "the funniest farce ever written," ''Noises Off'' presents a manic menagerie of itinerant actors rehearsing a flop called ''Nothing's On''. Slamming doors, on and offstage intrigue, and an errant herring all figure in the plot of this hilarious, high-energy comedy.
 
{{FHODS Section|Inspired by the 'Backside'}}
 
Playwright Michael Frayn conceived the idea while watching one of his own farces from the wings, noting that the backstage chaos was funnier than the play in front.
 
{{FHODS Section|Foreword}}


=Foreword=
{{FHODS Foreword
There are few who will deby that Theatre is funny. It's full of funny people with funny ideas that do funny things. That bloke whose birthday it is today as I write this knew a thing or two when he said all the world's a stage.
| text  = There are few who will deny that Theatre is funny. It's full of funny people with funny ideas that do funny things. That bloke whose birthday it is today as I write this knew a thing or two when he said all the world's a stage.


Theatre is also serious. It's full of serious people with serious ideas that do serious things.
Theatre is also serious. It's full of serious people with serious ideas that do serious things.
Line 23: Line 36:
The inevitable comedy that ensues when these two sets of people meet up and put on a play is almost beyond parody. Almost.
The inevitable comedy that ensues when these two sets of people meet up and put on a play is almost beyond parody. Almost.


So, with all that in mind, welcome to FHODS' production of ''Noises Off'', wherein this seriously funny cast have worked tirelessly to do waht this frankly perculiar but determined director told them to do, and have produced something seriously good.
So, with all that in mind, welcome to FHODS' production of ''Noises Off'', wherein this seriously funny cast have worked tirelessly to do what this frankly peculiar but determined director told them to do, and have produced something seriously good.


Enjoy the show!
Enjoy the show!


'''[[Aaron Birks]]''' ''Director''
'''Quick Director's PS:''' I've made this production immersive, so whilst it has two intervals of twenty minutes each, performing onstage and throughout the theatre will take place during the intervals and the set changes will happen for your entertainment too. I'd therefore recommend you pre-order drinks at the bar for both intervals in advance.
 
* Clackett's Agony
* The Sex Maniac
* Selsdon's Old and Peculiar
| author = [[Aaron Birks]]
| role  = Director
}}
 
{{FHODS Section|Cast}}


'''Quick Director's PS:''' I've made this production immersive, so whilst it has two intervals of twenty minutes each, performing onstage and throughout the theatre will take place during the intervals and the set changes will happen for your entertainment too. I'd therefore recommend you pre-order drinks at the bar for both intervals in advance.
{{FHODS Cast
| group1_label = Cast
| group1_style = leads
| group1 =
[[Vivienne Pattison]];;Belinda Blair / Flavia Brent
[[Rose Briggs]];;Brooke Ashton / Vicki
[[Clair Ellerby]];;Dotty Otley / Mrs Clackett
[[Will Dean]];;Frederick Fellow / Phillip Brent
[[Anthony Leyton]];;Garry LeJeune / Roger Tramplemain
[[Murray Wilkinson]];;Lloyd Dallas
[[Rebekah Reynolds]];;Poppy Norton-Taylor
[[Paul Milton]];;Selsdon Mowbray / The Burglar
[[Dylan Bryan]];;Tim Allgood
}}


*Clackett's Agony
{{FHODS Section|Production Team}}
*The Sex Maniac
*Selsdon's Old and Peculiar


=Inspired by the 'Backside'=
{{FHODS Crew
Playwright Michjael Frayn conceived the idea while watching one of his own farcecs from the wings, noting that the backstage chaos was funnier than the play in front.
| section1_label = Direction & Production
| section1 =
Director;;[[Aaron Birks]]
Producer;;[[Rebekah Reynolds]]
Stage Manager;;[[Michael Pearce]]
Deputy Stage Manager;;[[Leigh Chambers]] & [[Aaron Birks]]
Prompt;;[[Deborah Birks]]
| section2_label = Design & Technical
| section2 =
Set Design;;[[Aaron Birks]] & [[Michael Pearce]]
Technical Set Consultant;;[[John Perrin]]
Set Construction;;[[Murray Wilkinson]], [[John Perrin]], [[Liz Perrin]], [[Michael Pearce]], [[Vivienne Pattison]], [[Paul Milton]], [[Anthony Leyton]], [[Andy Hartley]], [[Clair Ellerby]], [[Mark Ellerby]], [[Ben Forrest]], [[John Kennett]], [[Will Dean]], [[Dylan Bryan]], [[Rose Briggs]], [[Tony Birks]], [[Andy Argyll]], [[Aaron Birks]], [[Marion Reynolds]] & [[Rebekah Reynolds]]
Lighting Design;;[[Eleanor Boyle]]
Lighting Operation;;[[Andy Hartley]]
Sound Operation;;[[Eleanor Boyle]]
Backstage;;[[Michael Pearce]], [[Andy Hartley]], [[Dylan Bryan]], [[Tony Birks]], [[Aaron Birks]], [[Camilla Bebell]] & [[John Kennett]]
| section3_label = Wardrobe & Props
| section3 =
Props;;[[Myra Collingridge]], [[Wendy Allum]] & [[Emma Franks]]
Costume;;[[Kate Richmond]] & [[Sheelagh Blackham]]
| section4_label = Media & Marketing
| section4 =
Design/Media;;[[Malcolm Laye]]
Photography & Marketing Media;;[[Aaron Birks]] & [[Rebekah Reynolds]]
FHODS Marketing;;[[Merewyn Forrest]]
}}


=Cast=
{{FHODS Section|For The Tower Theatre}}
* '''[[Vivienne Pattison]]''' ''as Belinda Blair/Flavia Brent
* '''[[Rose Briggs]]''' ''as Brooke Ashton/Vicki''
* '''[[Clair Ellerby]]''' ''as Dotty Otley/Mrs Clackett
* '''[[Will Dean]]''' ''as Frederick Fellow/Phillip Brent''
* '''[[Anthony Leyton]]''' ''as Garry LeJeune/Roger Tramplemain''
* '''[[Murray Wilkinson]]''' ''as Lloyd Dallas''
* '''[[Rebekah Reynolds]]''' ''as Poppy Norton-Taylor''
* '''[[Paul Milton]]''' ''as Selsdon Mowbray/The Burglar''
* '''[[Dylan Bryan]]''' ''as Tim Allgood''


=Production Team=
{{FHODS Venue|
{{div col}}
Events & Marketing Manager;;[[Michelle Hartley]]
* '''Director''': [[Aaron Birks]]
Front of House Manager;;[[Gary Ingoldby-Spate]]
* '''Producer''': [[Rebekah Reynolds]]
Theatre Operations Lead;;[[Andy Hartley]]
* '''Stage Manager''': [[Michael Pearce]]
Technical Theatre Lead;;[[Eleanor Boyle]]
* '''Deputy Stage Manager''': [[Leigh Chambers]] & [[Aaron Birks]]
}}
* '''Lighting Design''': [[Eleanor Boyle]]
* '''Lighting Operation''': [[Andy Hartley]]
* '''Sound Operation''': [[Eleanor Boyle]]
* '''Set Design''': [[Aaron Birks]] & [[Michael Pearce]]
* '''Technical Set Consultant''': [[John Perrin]]
* '''Set Construction''': [[Murray Wilkinson]], [[John Perrin]], [[Liz Perrin]], [[Michael Pearce]], [[Vivienne Pattison]], [[Paul Milton]], [[Anthony Leyton]], [[Andy Hartley]], [[Clair Ellerby]], [[Mark Ellerby]], [[Ben Forrest]], [[John Kennett]], [[Will Dean]], [[Dylan Bryan]], [[Rose Briggs]], [[Tony Birks]], [[Andy Argyll]], [[Aaron Birks]], [[Marion Reynolds]] & [[Rebekah Reynolds]]
* '''Props''': [[Myra Collingridge]], [[Wendy Allum]] & [[Emma Franks]]
* '''Costume''': [[Kate Richmond]] & [[Sheelagh Blackham]]
* '''Backstage''': [[Michael Pearce]], [[Andy Hartley]], [[Dylan Bryan]], [[Tony Birks]], [[Aaron Birks]], [[Camilla Bebell]] & [[John Kennett]]
* '''Prompt''': [[Deborah Birks]]
* '''Design/Media''': [[Malcolm Laye]]
* '''Photography & Marketing media design''': [[Aaron Birks]] & [[Rebekah Reynolds]]
* '''FHODS Marketing''': [[Merewyn Forrest]]
{{div col end}}


=For The Tower Theatre=
<div class="fhods-footer-note">FHODS extends its thanks to the Front of House volunteers and Bar Team. Anyone interested in joining the team can contact Joanne Pearce at [mailto:foh@towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk foh@towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk].</div>
* '''Events & Marketing Manager''': [[Michelle Hartley]]
* '''Front of House Manager''': [[Gary Ingoldby-Spate]]
* '''Theatre Operations Lead''': [[Andy Hartley]]
* '''Technical Theatre Lead''': [[Eleanor Boyle]]


FHODS extends its thanks to the Front of House volunteers and Bar Team. Anyone interested in joining the team can contact Joanne Pearce at foh@towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk.
{{FHODS Section|Thanks and Acknowledgements}}


=Thanks and Acknowledgements=
{{FHODS Crew
* '''[[Emmie Rhodes]] for supplying an outraged girlfriend and Dotty's suitcases
| section1_label = With Thanks To
* '''[[Marion Reynolds]]''', '''[[Rebekah Reynolds]]''' and '''[[Aaron Birks]]''' for alternative rehearsal acquisition
| section1 =
* '''Cheriton Baptist Church''' & '''Hawkinge Village Hall''' for their excellent rehearsal spaces
[[Emmie Rhodes]];;for supplying an outraged girlfriend and Dotty's suitcases
* '''Burnap & Abel''' for Garry's office surroundings and incredulous co-worker Daryll
[[Marion Reynolds]], [[Rebekah Reynolds]] & [[Aaron Birks]];;for alternative rehearsal acquisition
* '''Cargill's Folkestone''' for Brooke's myopic surroundings and worried optician Lauren
Cheriton Baptist Church & Hawkinge Village Hall;;for their excellent rehearsal spaces
* '''Sammi''' for being the beat to our nonsense
Burnap & Abel;;for Garry's office surroundings and incredulous co-worker Daryll
* Sound FX by '''BBC Sounds Archive''' [https://bbc.co.uk bbc.co.uk] © copyright 2026 BBC
Cargill's Folkestone;;for Brooke's myopic surroundings and worried optician Lauren
Sammi;;for being the beat to our nonsense
BBC Sounds Archive [https://bbc.co.uk bbc.co.uk];;for Sound FX © copyright 2026 BBC
}}


[[Category:Productions]]
[[Category:2026 Productions]]
[[Category:2026]]
[[Category:Productions at The Tower Theatre]]
[[Category:Michael Frayn]
[[Category:Productions written by Michael Frayn]]

Latest revision as of 14:47, 16 June 2026

Noises Off
By Michael Frayn · The Tower Theatre, Folkestone


Noises Off
Noises Off promotional image
Production Details
Dates14–16 May 2026
VenueThe Tower Theatre
DirectorAaron Birks
WriterMichael Frayn
ProducerRebekah Reynolds
Amateur production by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd on behalf of Samuel French Ltd

The Folkestone-Hythe Operatic and Dramatic Society presented Noises Off by Michael Frayn on 14–16 May 2026 at The Tower Theatre, Folkestone. An amateur production by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd on behalf of Samuel French Ltd.


Synopsis

Called "the funniest farce ever written," Noises Off presents a manic menagerie of itinerant actors rehearsing a flop called Nothing's On. Slamming doors, on and offstage intrigue, and an errant herring all figure in the plot of this hilarious, high-energy comedy.


Inspired by the 'Backside'

Playwright Michael Frayn conceived the idea while watching one of his own farces from the wings, noting that the backstage chaos was funnier than the play in front.


Foreword

There are few who will deny that Theatre is funny. It's full of funny people with funny ideas that do funny things. That bloke whose birthday it is today as I write this knew a thing or two when he said all the world's a stage.

Theatre is also serious. It's full of serious people with serious ideas that do serious things.

The inevitable comedy that ensues when these two sets of people meet up and put on a play is almost beyond parody. Almost.

So, with all that in mind, welcome to FHODS' production of Noises Off, wherein this seriously funny cast have worked tirelessly to do what this frankly peculiar but determined director told them to do, and have produced something seriously good.

Enjoy the show!

Quick Director's PS: I've made this production immersive, so whilst it has two intervals of twenty minutes each, performing onstage and throughout the theatre will take place during the intervals and the set changes will happen for your entertainment too. I'd therefore recommend you pre-order drinks at the bar for both intervals in advance.

  • Clackett's Agony
  • The Sex Maniac
  • Selsdon's Old and Peculiar
Aaron Birks, Director


Cast

Cast

Vivienne Pattison Belinda Blair / Flavia Brent Rose Briggs













Production Team

Direction & Production

ProducerDesign & Technical

Technical Set ConsultantWardrobe & Props

CostumeMedia & Marketing

Photography & Marketing Media


For The Tower Theatre

Events & Marketing Manager
Michelle Hartley Front of House Manager





















Thanks and Acknowledgements

With Thanks To

  • Emmie Rhodes – for supplying an outraged girlfriend and Dotty's suitcases

Marion Reynolds, Rebekah Reynolds & Aaron Birks