Following its triumphant and universally acclaimed run at The Old Vic, Michael Frayn’s multi award-winning  backstage comedy Noises Off will transfer to the Novello Theatre from 24 March 2012.

Described by the critics as “Achingly foot-stompingly seal-honkingly hysterical” (The Sunday Times), “Stunning” (The Observer), “Riotous” (The Guardian), “Bang-on-the-money” (The Daily Telegraph), “The ultimate comedy of theatrical chaos and confusion” (Sunday Express) and “Pure Pleasure” (The Times), this will be the first time The Old Vic Theatre Company has transferred a production to the West End.

Directed by Lindsay Posner, the West End transfer will see Jonathan Coy, Janie Dee, Robert Glenister, Jamie Glover, Celia Imrie, Karl Johnson and Paul Ready reprise their roles, with the characters of Poppy Norton-Taylor and Brooke Ashton to be announced shortly.

Winner of both Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Comedy, Noises Off celebrates its 30^th anniversary on 23 February. This much loved play serves up a riotous double bill – a play within a play. Hurtling along at breakneck speed it follows the backstage antics of a touring theatre company as they stumble their way through rehearsals to a shambolic first night and a final disastrous performance.

Eve Best returns to The Old Vic in March 2012, in John Webster‘s great Jacobean tragedy, The Duchess of Malfi, directed by Jamie Lloyd. She last appeared at The Old Vic in London and on Broadway opposite Kevin Spacey in A Moon for the Misbegotten in the 2006/2007 Season. The Duchess of Malfi will open on 28 March 2012, previewing from 17 March.

Webster’s poetic masterpiece tells the dark and bloody story of the recently widowed Duchess as she struggles to retain strength and dignity in the face of death.

Cast Madeline Appiah, Harry Attwell, Tom Bateman, Eve Best, Mark Bonnar, Adam Burton, Vyelle Croom, Lucy Eaton, Taylor James, Tunji Kasim, Harry Lloyd, Finbar Lynch, Nari Blair Mangat, Iris Roberts, Alan Westaway

Director Jamie Lloyd, Designer Soutra Gilmour, Lighting James Farncombe, Music and Sound Ben and Max Ringham, Movement Ann Yee, Casting Maggie Lunn

Please click here to download a performance schedule.

Please click here to download a pdf seating plan.

‘Michael Frayn’s comic masterpiece’ The Daily Telegraph
‘A deliriously funny and beautifully cast seasonal treat’ The Independent
‘Foot-stompingly, seal-honkingly hysterical’ The Sunday Times
‘Flawless farce… gloriously revived’ The Guardian
‘An infallible escape into happiness’ The Daily Telegraph
‘Fantastic… I giggled myself silly throughout’ The Observer
‘I certainly hadn’t laughed so hard for ages… Fabulous’ Daily Express
‘Immensely funny’ Time Out
‘Lindsay Posner’s fantastic pick-me-up of a production’ The Observer

 
Running Time approx 2 hours 20 minutes including a 20 minute interval.

Running Time approx 2 hours 20 minutes including a 20 minute interval.

Cast Jonathan Coy, Janie Dee, Robert Glenister, Jamie Glover, Celia Imrie, Karl Johnson, Aisling Loftus, Amy Nuttall and Paul Ready

Director Lindsay Posner, Designer Peter McKintosh, Lighting Paul Pyant, Sound Fergus O’Hare, Casting Maggie Lunn.

Please click here to download a performance schedule.

Please click here to download a pdf seating plan.

Recommended age limit: 10+