Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About What's happening. (Eugene, OR) 1982-1993 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 10, 1987)
■THEATRE Play within a play hilarious Review by Deborah S. McGee Noises Off Seeing Noises Off at University Theater is like watching one of the world’s best juggling acts. Director Jack Watson performs like Larry Pisoni in “The Big Juggle” at the end of Pickle Family Circus per formances: so much is going on at such a mad pace, all so brilliantly balanced, that it leaves the viewer time for nothing more than a series of bewondered gasps. A full-length comedy force in three acts, Noises Off puts us in three locations with the same ac ting troupe at three different nights of their performances while on repertory tour. As Act One begins, we first watch Dotty Otley, or Mrs. Clackett (Diane Johnson) on stage, as dotty as her name, bumb ling and confused, who confuses us as well until we realize she's talking to her director . . . who is that loud man sitting in the au dience with us. Actually we’re watching a dress rehearsal of a play called “Nothing On,” a British sex force dragging itself out for another run in the provinces. Act II continues the play within a play, only this time we’re behind the set. It’s a month later in the tour of “Nothing On.” We see the backstage reality of all the thea trics of the previous act, and the desperate attempts to “salvage the script.” We witness even more of the backstage lovers’ games and the personalities of each character within a character as they get caught, literally, with their pants down. What a hilarious bunch they are: the aforementioned Dotty, and there’s Roger or Gary Lejeune (Marshall Davis), tax revenue agent, who can never find the right word and has what John Duncan rightly called the best pratfall in years. There’s show stopper Brooke Ashton, or Vicki (Cynthia Besteman), getting the most mileage out of a hot purple flounced dress and a black corset. Dense, wimpy Frederick Fellowes (John Leistner) can’t handle anything without screwing it up royally. Veteran actor David Stuart Bull plays Selsdon Mowbray, a.k.a. as The Burglar, a stereo typed drunkard/rowdy actor. Bull performs the role with an artful economy of effort, giving glimpse of his superb talent, while not up staging the others. Throughout, Noises Off is the best of ensemble work. Other players are just as excellent: Annie McGregor is back on the Univer sity Theater stage, a University of Oregon doctoral student who directed last season’s Blood Rela tions and whose roles in Gypsy and Madwoman of Chaillot are unforgettable. The woman has admirable stage command, and a finely tuned comedy sense, funny as fizz playing dizzy Belinda Blair here, a frustrated social worker type who tries to patch up every thing amiss. Then there’s the belly rumbling deadpan of Tim Allgood (Rob Harriman). Marshall Davis plays Lloyd Dallas with aloof suavity, the director of the play within the play. Susan Page takes on the role of Poppy Norton-Taylor, the direc tor’s assistant who has her comic moment in the sun when she pitch hits for another character who is suddenly “incapacitated.” In short, what fools these mor tals be, in the most loving, laugh ing sense of the word fool. Each one embodies a certain self we can become at our foolhardiest of moments. Each one appeals because she/he strongly reflects some very human trait. Noises Off should be required attendance for all who think no 20th century work could equal that of classic theater comedy. Word for word, the script is a bawdy good read in itself. “Behind the Dressing Room Doors,” a tongue in cheek description of each char acter, accompanies program notes. Photos of each character are on the wall in the theater lobby, with a blown-up version of each farcical program description alongside. In odd moments of waiting (two intermissions), perusal of same puts one in the perfect mood for this play, which proves the love of words is alive and well in literature. Act IH again puts the audience into the seats of an audience watching a month-later production of “Nothing On.” By now, all order has totally fallen apart, but “the show must go on.” The original script has been skewed so far off center, all that's left is ribaldry at its peak. Enjoy, enjoy. It almost seems a waste to write this. Noises Off will most likely be a sell-out, since only four performances remain, and some will be frustrated at not getting tickets. Well, 'tis more the pity, but the truth is that Saturday night I laughed harder than at any play in my life. At the end of Act II, tears absolutely poured. Get out your handkerchiefs. Vouch of Class 5 Clothing f I Quality Resale in Natural Fibers for women & children (to 6x) Need some Christmas cash? Sell us your fash ionable used clothing. We pay more for your used clothing! 4 2 —i 2650 Willamette • 343-0095 Mon.-Fri. IO-5:3O/Saturday 10-5 Give the Coast for Christmas “THE OREGON COAST: Awaits I An *ure k Advent k Video A Home Winner of First Prize for documen taries In the Eugene Celebration Video Contest Come explore the beauty of the Oregon Coast on this delightful, narrated video journey. four the many scenic, historic, and entertaining sites, from Astoria to Brookings. This unique video can be a memento to be enjoyed time and time again, or a source of information for those planning to enjoy the adventures of the Oregon coast. Just send $29.95 check or money order and indicate format type (VHS or Beta). MEDIA CRAFT ASSOCIATES VIDEO PRODUCTION SERVICES 180 Waite Street Eugene. OR 97402 Ph. (503) 461-0423 Uniquely University Theatre Presents Noises Off by Michael Frayn Everyone needs a little comic relief. "A farce that makes you think as well as laugh." NY Daily News Dec. 3,4.5.10.11,12 at 8:00 pm Saturday matinee Dec. 12 at 2:30 Robinson Theatre UO Campus University Box Office For Reservations 686-4191 A EUGENE On Willamette Avenue between 26th and 27th Streets. af The finest in Japanese teppanyaki cuisine. Serving dinner and cocktails daily except Monday. 343-8483 SHOTS Hilda’s Latin American Dinner Restaurant Enjoy our spicy or non-spicy Latin American Cooking from South America, Central America, and Mexico. Choose from our delightful array of Spanish wines. 400 Blair Blvd. Mon. Sat. 5-9:30 pm 343-4322 me perl Presents Donizetti's RING IN THE NEW YEAR! Ahe (Daughter of the <Regiment Bubbling! Vivacious! Spirited! Romantic! A December 27, 1987 2:30 pm December 31, 1987 8:00 pm Silva Concert Hall, Huh Center 687-5000 a Buy Early and Save!! Present this coupon at the Hult Center Box Office and receive 20% OFF single tickets offer expires December 19, 1907 OREGON REPERTORY THEATRE PRESENTS Zi, wiCrict weeNOw portly A wiKCnelerdokea— A Christmas Carol 1020) 01 f A family classic At the Soreng Theatre in the Hull Center Dec. 18, 19, 22, 23 Time: 7:30 pm Sunday Matinee Dec. 20 Time: 2:00 pm Thursday, Dec. 24 Time: 6:30 pm Meet the cast after the Dec 20th show! Suppond tn i>un hy the haatk Arts htnnduiHHt For special group rates. call 484-PLAY Call the Huh Box Office-687-5000 Tickets: $9.50 and $12.50 $390 OFF For Children 12 & Under Some highlights from our December Menu • Fried Yaquina Bay Oysters with Remoulade Sauce • Herb Spaghettini with Chicken. Hazelnuts and Cream • Prawns sauteed with Green Peppercorns. Sauce with Dijon Cream $6.95-$12.75 Open during Christmas break. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Make Reservations Now for New Year's Eve. I Available for Holiday Parties Serving meals Sun-Thur until 9 Fri & Sat until 10 Open until Midnight 754 East 13th Avenue Eugene, Oregon 342-6963
