Lights, Camera, Noises [Off]! Advanced Drama Department (ADD) is at it again, as they rigorously rehearse to showcase the first of this year’s theatre production lineup: Noises Off. Written by the Michael Frayn and produced by AHS’s Mr. Steven Volpe, this slapstick comedy is a guaranteed hit. Coming to the Little Theatre, Nov. 3-7.
To use theatre lingo, Noises Off is a farce, a subgenre of comedy. Originating from the Renaissance’s commedia dell’arte, farce often means physical or situational comedy—slapstick humor with stock characters. That is to say, Noises Off is all about outrageous scenarios, exaggerated reactions, and complicated relationships. Sound like a crazy version of the average high schooler’s life? Yes: “It’s very high school,” explained Mr. Volpe, “so students can relate.”
An appreciation of the arts is important, but who said that couldn't be fun? From an elegant and thematic set—a 16th century Victorian-inspired two-story house with eight doors and several staircases—to outrageous props, ADD is definitely well equipped to entertain their audiences. Some props to look forward to, to quote senior Drew McDaniels, are “sardines, fire axes, sardines, flowers by the bunch, and of course SARDINES.” Yes, that’s a fish.
As for the actors themselves, they will have been rehearsing over three hours a day, five days a week, for a month and half by opening night. Drew referred to the last week of October—which is ironically the week of Halloween—as hell week: four hour practices, six days a week. After all, this cast is determined to get every line and cue perfect in order to provide the very best comical entertainment. While it’s tough to play multiple characters (Noises Off is about a bunch of actors who play a bunch of characters… so many of the ADD cast members basically have multiple characters), they’ve even learned British accents! All for the sake of their audience’s ease of comprehension.
So definitely look forward to Noises Off. Pre-sale tickets can be bought online (access the Drama department’s website from the school’s main page) or from ADD members at lunch. Tickets will also be available at the door, but seats may run out quickly and the tickets are more expensive: $5 for pre-sale, $7 at the door. Show times are Nov. 3-7, 7:00 p.m.
If you really can’t make it though, don't worry—ADD will be showcasing more of their talent later in the year. But the genres vary, from improvisation to musical theatre to drama to Shakespeare; so try not to miss out too much. <Some sort of really good end comment.>
To use theatre lingo, Noises Off is a farce, a subgenre of comedy. Originating from the Renaissance’s commedia dell’arte, farce often means physical or situational comedy—slapstick humor with stock characters. That is to say, Noises Off is all about outrageous scenarios, exaggerated reactions, and complicated relationships. Sound like a crazy version of the average high schooler’s life? Yes: “It’s very high school,” explained Mr. Volpe, “so students can relate.”
An appreciation of the arts is important, but who said that couldn't be fun? From an elegant and thematic set—a 16th century Victorian-inspired two-story house with eight doors and several staircases—to outrageous props, ADD is definitely well equipped to entertain their audiences. Some props to look forward to, to quote senior Drew McDaniels, are “sardines, fire axes, sardines, flowers by the bunch, and of course SARDINES.” Yes, that’s a fish.
As for the actors themselves, they will have been rehearsing over three hours a day, five days a week, for a month and half by opening night. Drew referred to the last week of October—which is ironically the week of Halloween—as hell week: four hour practices, six days a week. After all, this cast is determined to get every line and cue perfect in order to provide the very best comical entertainment. While it’s tough to play multiple characters (Noises Off is about a bunch of actors who play a bunch of characters… so many of the ADD cast members basically have multiple characters), they’ve even learned British accents! All for the sake of their audience’s ease of comprehension.
So definitely look forward to Noises Off. Pre-sale tickets can be bought online (access the Drama department’s website from the school’s main page) or from ADD members at lunch. Tickets will also be available at the door, but seats may run out quickly and the tickets are more expensive: $5 for pre-sale, $7 at the door. Show times are Nov. 3-7, 7:00 p.m.
If you really can’t make it though, don't worry—ADD will be showcasing more of their talent later in the year. But the genres vary, from improvisation to musical theatre to drama to Shakespeare; so try not to miss out too much. <Some sort of really good end comment.>