Trussville’s ACTA Theater is halfway through its production of “Noises Off,” a play that will leave the audience wondering how the actors survive a show with items flying around the stage and perpetual motion causing the actors to almost collide. The characters must battle through a play-within-a-play for three acts that represent the stages of a 12-week run of the play “Nothing On,” including backstage antics and the stressful relationships the actors form during rehearsals.
The farce is set in England and begins with the dress rehearsal for “Nothing On,” which makes it all too clear the actors still don’t know their parts for the show later that night.
The second act takes place six weeks into the production and shows how the actors interact backstage as relationships begin and end in a matter of seconds.
“Noises Off” will have a brief intermission between the first and second acts and between the second and third acts to allow for the set to be turned around so the audience can peek into the dark corners and closets of the theater world and return to the front of the stage when the actors are at their wits’ end.
The final act is 12 weeks into the production of “Nothing On” and the audience can tell the production has taken its toll on the actors.
Amy Harlan, who plays Dotty Otley who plays Mrs. Clackett, said the lives of the nine characters in the play have intertwined so much at that point that everything goes wrong in the third act.
“Twelve weeks in they are struggling to survive,” Harlan said. “No one knows what is going on and as they try to put on the play, the relationships and everything begin to disintegrate.”
Many a love triangle is formed during the run of the show, but few of the relationships survive to the end of the play.
“Noises Off” follows Harlan as Dotty Otley as Mrs. Clackett; Cliff Keen Jr. as Lloyd, the director of “Nothing On”; Kenny Morris as Garry Lejeune as Roger Tramplemain; Crystal Chappell as Brooke Ashton as Vicki; Kevin Garrett as Frederick Fellowes as Philip Brent; Susan Cook as Belinda Blair as Flavia Brent; Hannah Wilkerson as Poppy Norton; Danny White as Tim; and David Gregson as Selsdon Mowbray as the robber as they try to remain sane during the run of the show.
The play’s director, Suellen Wilkins, said it was important to audition early for the play to allow for extra rehearsal time because British humor has a different rhythm than most American humor.
She said auditions were held at the end of February and the cast began walking and blocking the scenes by early March.
“Spring break also came at a nice time to allow us to get the set done,” Wilkins said. “The cast chipped in to help and now we just need the little details to make it complete. It’s an intricate set and you would never guess looking at it that it would break into eight parts.”
Wilkins said she is fortunate to working with such a great cast and crew, which includes Katy Walker serving as stage manager for “Noises Off.”
She said she submitted the play to be considered as a production at ACTA and was honored to be allowed to cast the play the way she wanted to.
“I am so lucky, I was able to cast one of the best casts I’ve ever had,” Wilkins said. “This cast acts so professional showing respect, having fun and providing a little extra help with props, costumes and sets.”
Show times are Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 27, at 2 p.m.
Ticket prices are $l0 for adults, $8 for senior adults and $6 for students.
Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling the theatre at 655-3902.
