“Noises Off,” a farcical play about the production of a play has opened at the Hillbarn Theatre in Foster City, and it features San Mateo resident, David Blackburn.
The production runs Oct. 11 to Oct. 28 and the story follows the rehearsal and two performances of a flop called “Nothing’s On.” Much of the comedy is physical and it revolves around the many mishaps, both on and off stage, that befall the cast and crew of the play. The title — “Noises Off” — is a stage direction term for sounds made offstage that are meant to be heard by the audience.
Blackburn, 30, plays stage manager Tim Algood, who is desperately trying to hold the show together.
“I’ve wanted to play this role since high school,” Blackburn said. “This show is a staple of theater and theatrical comedy. It’s a British farce and people don’t do those a lot anymore, but when it’s done well it can be hysterical.
“I’ve put all the stage managers I’ve known into the role,” he continued. “I hope some of them will recognize certain qualities. ... This role is a little bit of a love letter to the technical people I’ve worked with behind the scenes. A lot of the time they do just as much work and don’t get credit for it. So this is a chance for people to see how hard those people work.”
He also said the production is technically demanding and requires a set that can spin 360 degrees.
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This is Blackburn’s ninth Hillbarn production, and that was the first theater he performed at in the Bay Area after he moved here from Michigan four years ago.
“You see a lot of the same faces at Hillbarn, but they’re always bringing in new performers. It feels very much like a family,” he said. “The theater scene is so good out here, it’s overwhelming how much talent there is in the Bay Area. I feel like every time I see a show I’m continually impressed and shocked at the quality. I’m very proud to be a part of the Bay Area theater community.”
Blackburn has performed at numerous other venues in the Bay Area, including Broadway by the Bay and Palo Alto Players. He has performed in a variety of genres, from musicals to dramas, but comedy is his wheelhouse.
“I’m a physical comedian so those are the roles I’m cast in. [The cast of “Noises Off”] is full of comedians,” he said. “People often have the misconception that comedy is easier and it’s definitively not.”
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