Michael Frayn's NOISES OFF to Launch UK Tour, Directed by Lindsay Posner, March 2013

Following its triumphant and universally acclaimed run at The Old Vic and then at the Novello Theatre in the West End, Michael Frayn's multi award-winning backstage comedy Noises Off will tour theatres across the UK from 27 March 2013.

Noises Off is the highest grossing show in the history of The Old Vic Theatre Company, breaking weekly box office records during its run at The Old Vic. The show became the first Old Vic Theatre Company production to transfer into the West End, with performances at the Novello Theatre, and will now also be the first to embark on a major UK tour.

Winner of both Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Comedy, Noises Off 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.

Directed by Lindsay Posner, the production features designer Peter McKintosh, lighting by Paul Pyant, music by Michael Bruce, sound by Fergus O'Hare, movement and fights by Kate Waters and casting by Maggie Lunn. Cast to be announced.

Michael Frayn has written sixteen plays, including Copenhagen, Afterlife, Benefactors, Donkeys' Years, and Democracy. He has also translated for the theatre, mostly Chekhov and other plays from the Russian, and adapted Chekhov's first, untitled play as Wild Honey. He has written a number of screenplays, including Clockwise, starring John Cleese. His eleven novels include The Tin Men, Towards the End of the Morning, Headlong, Spies, and most recently Skios. He has also published various collections of articles, including Collected Columns, Stage Directions, and Travels with a Typewriter; two works of philosophy, Constructions and The Human Touch; and a memoir, My Father's Fortune.

Lindsay Posner was Associate Director at The Royal Court Theatre from 1987 to 1992 where his production of Death and The Maiden won two Olivier Awards. His other theatre credits include Butley starring Dominic West (Duchess Theatre), An Ideal Husband starring Samantha Bond and Rachel Stirling (Vaudeville), House of Games (Almeida Theatre), Fool For Love starring Juliette Lewis (Apollo Theatre), Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge starring Ken Stott (Duke of York's Theatre, nominated for four Olivier Awards), Carousel (Savoy Theatre), Fiddler on The Roof (Sheffield and Savoy Theatres), Tom and Viv, The Hypochondriac and Romance (Almeida Theatre), A Life in the Theatre (Apollo Theatre), the world premiere of Power by Nick Dear and Tartuffe (National Theatre), Twelfth Night, Volpone, The Taming of the Shrew and The Rivals (RSC), Abigail's Party (Menier Chocolate Factory) and most recently Uncle Vanya, starring Ken Stott, Anna Friel, Samuel West and Laura Carmichael, currently being performed at the Vaudeville Theatre.

Noises Off is produced on tour by The Old Vic Theatre Company and Old Vic Productions Plc.

TOUR INFORMATION

Wednesday 27 March – Saturday 6 April 2013: Theatre Royal Bath
Tickets and information: www.theatreroyal.org.uk / 01225 448844 (General bookings open Monday 10 December 2012)
Monday 22 April – Saturday 27 April 2013: Theatre Royal Newcastle upon Tyne
Tickets and information: www.theatreroyal.co.uk / 08448 11 21 21 (General bookings open Thursday 3 January 2013)
Monday 20 May – Saturday 25 May 2013: Norwich Theatre Royal
Tickets and information: www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk / 01603 63 00 00

Further tour dates to be announced.

Photo courtesy The Old Vic.