Review: NOISES OFF at Teatr Polski In Wroclaw

Noises Off is a 40-year-old play that has only been performed on Broadway 3 times, in 1984, 2002, and 2016. Written by Michael Frayn who wanted to present a farce and theatrical world combined and from behind. The title refers to the theatrical staging indicating off-stage sounds.

Personally, I love watching shows from backstage. with all the hurried and invisible dust sounds that are not obvious and accessible to the public. We have the impression that on stage there are figures, not human beings and this show is linked to that. You can get a glimpse of what is not visible on a daily basis in the theatre.

The text is a well-known farce that tells the adventures of a theater group preparing for the premiere of a play. Sure, there's a buzz, there are personal games between the lines as a director is romantically involved with two women, and there are constant battles and misunderstandings between the crew. One of them is always looking for a drink, but there is a huge risk that getting drunk will miss the show. Some are angry, or jealous of each other. It’s a spin around with emotions. It's interesting because it's not just the actors who are the protagonists here - behind the scenes there are always technicians, people responsible for set design, props, and audience care, which has also a huge impact on what happens on stage. There is a huge space between the stage manager, the actors, and the director for all kinds of gags, situational jokes, and hilarious situations. This show also reminds us that behind the curtains are real people with their own lives and dramas. Especially the second act is like a hurdle race with all possible obstacles. The doors can be closed in very various ways.

The concept of the illusion of theater magic comes down here with a bang. This experience shows us that what we see is not always what we expect to see and facing theater with human beings on stage is always a risky experience especially when the plot is complicated. Wojciech Stefaniak's scenography contains many doors, a large window, stairs, and many many accessories. Matching all of this is not an easy task to do. Disaster follows disaster, and the complex structure of the performance is shaken from time to time. The show is directed by a light repertoire specialist, Marcin Slawinski, who returns to Teatr Polski after almost twenty years.

What's also interesting is that there are two full casts and they change, so every show is unique with a different cast including Monika Bolly, Aldona Struzik, Mariusz Kiljan, Ernest Nita, Maciej Gisman, Blazej Michalski, Aleksandra Chapko, Beata Sliwinska, Marika Klarman-Gisman, Luzyna Szierok-Giel, Jakub Giel, Jakub Grebski, Agata Oblakowska-Mazurkiewicz, Klementyna Umer, Krzysztof Brzazgon, Marcin Piejas, Andzrej Galla, Edwin Petrykat.

Photo: Mikolaj Plywacz