NOISES OFF at Northern Kentucky University

Noises Off

By Michael Frayn

Directed by Ken Jones

Northern Kentucky University’s Theatre program is looking on the bright side of life with the farcical comedy NOISES OFF bringing laughter and a little madness to the Northern Kentucky University main stage.

Noises Off has been called "the funniest farce ever written" and takes a fond look at the follies of theatre folk, whose susceptibility to out-of-control egos, memory loss, and passionate affairs turn every performance into a high-risk adventure. This play-within-a-play captures a manic menagerie of itinerant actors rehearsing a flop called "Nothing's On." Doors slamming, falling trousers, on and offstage intrigue, and an errant plate of sardines all figure in the plot of this hilarious and classically comic play.

The cast trips over sofas, falls downstairs, faints at the mere mention of blood, and fight with each other to gain the spotlight of the play within a play-- in other words, it’s right up Ken Jones’ alley. 

Ken Jones, the Rosenthal Distinguished Chair of Theatre, directs the show, which is crazy big and just plain crazy.   “These actors are the best of the best when it comes to physical comedy,” Jones reports happily. When he’s not directing, Jones is writing plays, theme park shows, television and film.He is definitely the man to bring NOSIES OFF to the NKU stage. His many NKU hits include “Urinetown,” “Bye, Bye Birdie”, “Heart Attack with a Knife,” and “Spamalot” which he nurtured and polished into dazzling lunacy. 

“I love over-the-top,” Jones says gleefully. “As long as you’re precise, you can never be too big.  And, after being locked up for a year, we’re ready to make people laugh!”

NOSIES OFF runs Oct. 14-24, 2021 at the Corbett Theatre on the campus of Northern Kentucky University. Weeknights and Saturdays 7:30pm performances, Sundays 2:00 performances. Tickets can be purchased online: nku.edu/sotatickets or Call: (859) 572-5464.