Cornell Theatre presents comedy ‘Noises Off’
If you need a night of laughter, grab your tickets for the production of “Noises Off” by the Cornell College Department of Theatre and Dance.
“Noises Off” is the story of a group of actors trying to get through a tour of a theatrical show in England in the early 1980s. It features a play-within-a-play where audience members watch when everything goes hilariously wrong in a chaotic stage production. The characters forget their lines, miss their entrances, and struggle with props.
“It’s widely considered one of the funniest stage comedies of all time, if not the funniest,” said Cornell Director Patrick DuLaney. “This play is a ‘how to’ of comic technique, and a dream for any actor to get to work on. I’ve wanted to be a part of this play ever since I saw it in college, and it’s a real honor to get to put it together with a group of talented, dedicated theatre students! People are not going to want to miss this fantastically funny show!”
Nine Cornell students and two community members make up the cast. Cornell alum Shelby Newport ’06 will be designing the costumes with the help of student designers. An additional 30 students are helping manage the rehearsals and build the set. During Act II, the entire set gets turned around and audience members get to see behind the scenes. DuLaney is excited to see the audience’s reaction to the set.
“The entire set is placed on an enormous turntable, and the whole thing spins front to back at intermission. The set change often gets applause!” DuLaney said. 
Show times:
- Feb. 22: 7:30 p.m.
- Feb. 23: 7:30 p.m.
- Feb 24: 2 p.m.
- Feb. 25: 2 p.m.
- Feb. 29: 7:30 p.m.
- March 1: 7:30 p.m.
- March 2: 7:30 p.m.
The show will take place at Kimmel Theatre in Cornell’s Armstrong-Youngker Hall. Tickets are available online and can also be purchased at the door. They are $15 for adults and $12 for students, seniors, and youth. Cornell faculty, staff, and students attend for free with their Cornell ID.
Questions about tickets? Call the Cornell Box Office at 319.895.4293 Monday–Friday from 3:15-5:15 two weeks before the performance and one hour prior to showtime. The theatre department says the show is rated PG-13 for language and mature themes.
All photos show the cast of “Noises Off” rehearsing various scenes of the show. Pictures by Cornell College junior Faith Kimball.
