Noises Off (1992)

This was recommended to me by Murray, who said that anyone who's ever been in a stage production will recognise their own experiences. My, was he right. Parts were a little too realistically cringe-worthy to make me laugh out loud since I was too busy hiding my face.

Calling each other "darling" is acceptable when you're there but just embarrassing to look at from outside. Then there's actors who need constant reasurance and directors who bullshit answers which could conceivably be genuine, and midnight rehearsals with exhausted, wired stage staff. The line "treat opening night as the dress rehearsal" gave me shivers.

I especially liked Michael Caine as Lloyd the director, thoroughly without redeeming features and full of his own importance. I wonder whether Caine drew on his own experience with directors for that?

The really clever high concept edge, though, is that the play being performed is a sex farce, but that what is going on backstage is just as farcical. It puts a clever spin on the old "play within a play" device. I am in awe of the choreography which must have gone into the elaborate business with costume, props and entrances and exits. Because that's what farce is - entrances, exits and business. My favourite part was the increasingly bathetic series of bouquets, from a beautiful bunch of lilies and roses to a potted cactus which, inevitably, is sat on.

I'll even forgive the overly cheery ending since it's only inkeeping with the traditions of farce.

So thank you Murray, got any more recommendations?