"Noises Off" by Michael Frayn.

Nottingham Theatre Royal.

The idea for "Noises Off" came in 1970, when Frayn was watching from the wings a performance of "The Two of Us", a farce that he had written for Lynn Redgrave. He noted that it was funnier to see the play from behind the set than as an audience member and thought that one day he would write a play from that perspective, "Noises off" is that play and takes its title from the theatrical stage direction indicating sounds coming from offstage.

Each of the three acts of "Noises Off" contains a performance of the first act of a play within a play, a poor farce called "Nothing On". Act One is the dress rehearsal where we see the cast hopelessly unprepared and having issues with entrances and exits, missed cues, missed lines, doors that won't open or stay shut and bothersome props, including several plates of sardines.

Act Two shows a matinee performance a month later but this time from backstage which shows the deteriorating relationships between the cast and director and falls into disorder before the end of the play.

In Act Three, we see a performance near the end of the ten-week run and the relationships have got even worse. The actors remain determined at all costs to cover up the mounting series of mishaps, but it is not long before the plot has to be abandoned entirely and result to ad-libbing their way to the end of the scene.

I absolutely love slapstick, having been brought up on a diet of Laurel & Hardy, The Keystone Cops, Abbott & Costello and Buster Keaton by my Dad via cine film screened on to a small screen or on the living room wall. Slapstick is all to do with timing, and this show, and the actors' timing is impeccable, and that is one reason why this play is so funny; the roars of laughter from the audience proved that.

I'd seen "Noises Off" a few times previously, so knew exactly what the play was about and what was to come. That said, the play was as funny as if it were my first rodeo.

All of the actors play another actor, as part of the theatre troupe in the play, Otstars Productions, who have their own roles; you'll get the hang of it, love! I'll put the actor's character role's characters in brackets to simplify everything.

Liza Goddard plays Dotty Otley (Mrs Clackett). Dotty has a very interesting life behind the scenes which is every bit as dramatic as what is seen onstage. Mrs Clackett is a Cockney Housekeeper for the Brent's home in England who has a penchant for sardines.

Paul Bradley, who Eastenders fans will remember from playing Nigel Bates in the soap, plays Selsdon Mowbray (Burglar). Selsdon has a vice which does not bode well for an actor in a touring production, and there's a brilliant scene, in the second act, that relies on timing alone, which is performed beautifully.

(Sir) Simon Shepherd (fans of "Gimme Gimme Gimme" will know why I've added the title before Simon's name), plays Lloyd Dallas (The Director), who is trying to keep all the balls juggled in the air; it's not just the up in the air balls that he has trouble juggling either!

Lisa Ambalavanar is a local actor who I've had the pleasure of reviewing several times locally, so it is great to see her sharing the stage with people like Liza Goddard and Simon Shepherd. Lisa plays Brooke Ashton (Vicki), and I think I can truthfully say that I've never seen Lisa play a role quite like this one! Lisa though is not the only local actor highlighting the talent from this area, in this play. Brooke is wonderfully hammy with over the top acting who also keeps losing her contact lens.

Simon Coates plays Frederick Fellowes (Phillip Brent). Frederick has an allergy to violence which brings him out in nosebleeds, which is not a good thing with all of the backstage repercussions that happen.

Dan Fredenburgh plays Garry Lejeunne (Roger Tramplemain). Roger is a real estate agent who is attempting to rent Flavia's and Phillip's home, but uses it for his own personal benefit. Garry is dating Dotty, but is really jealous.

Nikhita Lesler plays Poppy Norton-Taylor (Assistant Stage Manager). She is emotional and over-sensitive, and envious of Brooke, whom she understudies. I wonder what could be making her over-sensitive and emotional?

Lucy Robinson plays Belinda Blair (Flavia Brent). Flavia is Phillip Brent's wife, Belinda may have feelings for Frederick though.

Daniel Rainford is the other local actor in this play. Dan plays Tim Allgood, the over-worked Assistant Stage Manager. Understudies Selsdon and Freddy. Daniel really seems to have a real grasp on the physical comedy required for this play and the role, and that comedy is well represented in his facial acting.

The set design, by Simon Higlett, is brilliantly constructed, allowing us to see both sides of the set, the reason why there are two breaks in the show, the second just a short one to allow the set to be reversed. I have been lucky enough to have seen backstage at some productions, but for anyone who does not know what this looks like will be in for a treat, or maybe a surprise!

Director Lindsay Posner has made sure that the pace is the speed of a train - maybe that isn't quite the apt comparison, especially this week, but you know what I mean. It steams ahead at pace, which is thanks to the verbal and physical timing within, and the ability of the actors. They definitely do not need to get a gym membership after this run.

If you love shows like "The Play That Goes Wrong", you'll absolutely love this show. If you love old fashioned slapstick, likewise, you'll love this show. If you like a quality cast who know how to deliver comedy, you'll love this show. It really is one of the best farces on stage at this time.

Right, that's me done for another show, I'm off to seek out some sardines for my toast!

"Noises Off" is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 3 February.