EIU Media Relations

Theatre Arts to Stage 'Noises Off,' Comedy About Staging a Comedy

The Eastern Illinois University Department of Theatre Arts will present "Noises Off," a comedy about an acting troupe's outrageous behind-the-scenes antics.

Five performances -- 7 p.m. April 15, 16, 18 and 19, as well as 2 p.m. April 17 -- will be staged in The Theatre of the Doudna Fine Arts Center on the EIU campus.

This classic backstage farce by Michael Frayn follows a hapless acting troupe during the course of a disastrous provincial tour.

Complete with slamming doors, sexual dalliances, confusions and errant plates of sardines, the actors prove that whatever can go wrong – both on stage and off – most certainly will.

"The most dexterously realized comedy ever about putting on a comedy," said a review in The New York Times. "A spectacularly funny, peerless backstage farce. This dizzy, well-known romp is a festival of delirium."

The play, produced by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc., is directed by Jeffrey Tangeman. Set and light design is by David Wolski, and costume design is by Karen Eisenhour.

Tickets -- $12 for the general public; $10 for senior citizens and EIU employees; $5 for students -- may be purchased in person at the Doudna Fine Arts Center Box Office, by telephone at 217-581-3110, or online at www.eiu.edu/doudna.

The Doudna Fine Arts Center is a division of the EIU College of Arts and Humanities.