Hi Jim -
thanks for writing. You're not the first person to ask this question.
Ironically, the idea for the play came from the title, which was a typo by a teacher writing to me about "Noises Off." He asked if I could write a backstage comedy kind of like "Nooses Off" and there it was.
I really do need to come up with a subtitle you can use in replacement though. Noises Off, though popular amongst theater people, is probably not a household name to the community where everyone would automatically recognize the pun.
All that is to say I'm fine with retitling the play. I'm going to think about it and get back to you, but I'm open to suggestions.
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Don Zolidis
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-22-2022 07:46
From: Jim Thomas
Subject: Need A New Comedy Idea
Hello Don,
I am looking to direct this hilarious show in my high school this spring. The biggest problem I'm running into with administration is the title. I live in a very diverse district and they feel as though it will be triggering in my community. I wonder if you have encountered this issue with others and if you (or anyone here) have any creative suggestions? Currently, I am thinking of trying to surround it with wording akin to "a hilarious family-friendly homage to the classic comedy 'Noises Off'". I'd welcome any other ideas. Thanks for continuing to write excellent shows for high schools!
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Jim Thomas
Original Message:
Sent: 06-06-2018 11:03
From: Don Zolidis
Subject: Need A New Comedy Idea
That's wonderful, Stephen! I hope your kids and community really like it!
I tried to write an homage to Noises Off, since it's one of my favorite comedies ever (with the possible exception of A Midsummer Night's Dream), but I thought that a larger cast and maybe a cast-member not in their underwear the entire time would help schools that can't do Noises Off.
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Don Zolidis
Austin TX
Original Message:
Sent: 06-05-2018 22:55
From: Steven Slaughter
Subject: Need A New Comedy Idea
I'm planning on doing Don Zolidis's "Nooses Off," a spoof on Noises Off and Agatha Christie. My students are pretty excited. There are about 15 parts and it is less bawdy than 'Noises Off.'
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Steven Slaughter
English/Theatre
Rosslyn Academy
Nairobi, Kenya
"Be joyful, though you have considered all the facts." - W Berry
Original Message:
Sent: 06-04-2018 17:39
From: Bethany Bax
Subject: Need A New Comedy Idea
Hello All!
I had planned on getting the rights to do Neil Simon's play Rumors next spring, but we had a prominent member of our small community (and father to two of my students) commit suicide at the end of the school year. So a play where a man tries to kill himself but hits his earlobe instead will no longer be a wise choice.
There are 10 characters in Rumors, so a cast of 10-15 would be ideal. I'd prefer to do something contemporary since our last straight play was Thornton Wilder's Our Town. My students are good actors and adapt easily to different styles; however, our community is fairly conservative.
Thanks in advance for your help!
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Bethany Bax
teacher and play director
Greencastle Community Schools
Greencastle IN
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