"A day without laughter is a day wasted," Charlie Chaplin.
When deciding what show to do for my first production with Francis Howell Central, Noises off! Immediately came to mind. It has always been one of my favorite comedies. After discussing it with the FHC Spotlight Officers, they felt it was one of the best choices to start our 2014-2015 season strong. We loved the idea of a play about a play and all the excitement, energy, and chaos that comes with it. We knew it would be a challenge designing rotating set, blocking a play within a play, and most of the cast playing two roles. Even though we had these challenges in front of us, I knew we would rise above and achieve a fantastic show. Comedy is a passion of mine, and I am so thankful that the cast is so talented with physical comedy and timing to truly bring this show to life.
Michael Frayn has a great way of bringing out the characteristics of being in play and all the craziness that happens when you open a script. You see a cast in utter turmoil just trying to do the best they can amongst love triangles, fears of injuries, and working with an actress incapable of improvisation. The actors still want to pull off a successful show and tell a story, no matter what's happening around them.
The cast and crew have done an excellent job on creating, building, and molding the set and characters of Noises Off! We would start with an idea and then production staff, crew heads, crew, and cast would be creative and bring it to life all through hard work and perseverance. I am so proud of each of them and this show is truly theirs.
Thank you to the parents who let me borrow their children every day for the last 10 weeks and share the love of theatre with them. Thank you to the parents volunteering in any way they could to offer support. Our parent club, FHC Spot, is absolutely incredible and the backbone of our theatre department.
Lastly, thank you to you, our audience for your support, laughter, and encouragement. We are grateful to share our story with you! As Michael Frayn says, "That's what it's all about. Doors and sardines. Getting on-getting off. Getting the sardines on-getting the sardines off. That's farce. That's theatre. That's life."
Enjoy the show! Cast and crew break a leg!
-Cori Nelson, Director
