Noises Off follows the cast and crew of a play who desperately try to get their show finished for opening night. Photo: Frank Zammit

If you’re a theatregoer, then you may well have stopped to wonder how all the magic of show business actually comes together. How do the actors learn their lines? What happens when someone forgets to bring a prop on? And does the cast and crew really get along as well as they say they do?

Well, all of that – and more – will be addressed in the hilarious farce Noises Off, which opens next weekend at the Manoel Theatre.

In a nutshell, the multi-award-winning Noises Off is all about the shenanigans experienced by the cast of Nothing On, which makes it one of those comical ‘plays within a play’.

The show begins as the cast of Nothing On – a sexy comedy being produced by a second-rate touring theatre company – are desperately trying to get their show finished for opening night, which is only a few hours away.

Between forgotten lines, missing actors, misbehaving sets, the odd wardrobe malfunction and the play’s omnipotent plates of sardines, everything that can go wrong, does go wrong.

Of course, for the cast and crew, the stakes are high and they simply must find a way of making it ‘alright on the night’. So, with director Lloyd Dallas (played by Stephen Oliver) spearheading the action from the stalls as he desperately tries to get the show to go on, the others simply try their best to get through the act long enough so they can all have a tea break.

“Noises Off is really one of the funniest plays I have had the pleasure of working on,” says Anthony Bezzina, who is directing Masquerade’s production.

“We first produced this show 10 years ago, also at the Manoel Theatre, and our audiences loved it – which is exactly why we have decided to bring it back.

“It is one of those feel-good experiences that will ensure all those present have a great night – and it also provides a little insight into what really goes on behind the scenes of any theatre production.”

Noises Off recently completed a sell-out West End run at the Old Vic, featuring renowned British actress Celia Imrie and an all-star cast, and it is now being performed here by a stellar local cast too.

“The recent London run proved that Noises Off is still just as popular as it was when it first premiered in 1982, and I have no doubt that it will raise the roof at the Manoel Theatre too,” adds Bezzina.

Along with Oliver, the local production will star Polly March as Nothing On’s ‘grand dame actress’ Dotty Ottley, Alan Paris, Jo Caruana, Victor Debono, Thomas Camilleri, Daphne Said, Stefan Farrugia and Tina Rizzo.

• Noises Off is being staged at the Manoel Theatre on April 17, 18, 19 and 24, 25 and 26 at 7.30pm. Tickets may be obtained online from www.teatrumanoel.com.mt or by calling 2124 6389.