Part of the fun of going to the theater is escaping from life for a brief moment in time. But instead of suspending reality, the play “Noises Off” is about the all-too-true story of putting on a play — and what happens when everything goes wrong.

The Red House Arts Center presents the play-within-a-play “Noises Off,” with performances running the next two weekends at 8 p.m., except the April 6 closing night, which has performances at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

“Noises Off” will run a preview performance March 28, selling tickets at $12.50, half-price for the special show. Other nights’ tickets sell for $20, whereas members of the Red House can buy discounted tickets for $15.

The play tells about a comedy troupe attempting to put on a play called “Nothing On,” a scandalous and lurid comedy about sex and infidelity. The play-within-a-play is written in three acts, each act showing three different times “Nothing On” is performed during the show’s production — a dress rehearsal, a matinee show and a show near the end of the performance’s run.

Throughout the play, the audience follows a variety of different conundrums the troupe faces, including issues that deal with the show itself, such as actors not making their line cues or missing entrances, as well as issues about the actors personal relationships, such as a love triangle that develops with the main characters, Lloyd, Brooke and Poppy.

Michael Frayn, author of “Noises Off,” is known for penning drama as well, most notably for his plays titled “Copenhagen” and “Democracy.” He has also written a variety of fiction and nonfiction novels. Frayn was born in London and his most recent work was the novel, “Skios.”

The Red House has had a diverse array of shows this season, featuring a combination of dramas, comedies and musicals. Other shows this season include “The Fantasticks,” “Assassins,” “Hairspray,” “Wit” and “Baltimore Waltz.” “Noises Off” is the second-to-last show being performed. The Red House is finishing the season with “Peter Pan.”

“Noises Off” is a comedy that is not necessarily meant for the whole family. But if you’re willing to laugh at some raunchy jokes and outrageous slapstick, then stop by the Red House sometime in these next few weeks into spring.

Published on March 27, 2013 at 10:55 pm

Contact Claire: cmdunder@syr.edu | @ClaireDunderman