MICHAEL Frayn's 'Noises Off' visits Cardiff fresh from rave reviews. Winner of both Olivier and Tony Awards for best comedy, this comic romp offers two plays for the price of one as the play unravels - and after experiencing the opening night I now know why the play is so called. It’s because of the noises coming off the audience – the laughter which accompanies the play from start to finish. I have never witnessed such audience laughter at the New Theatre before.

Starring Colin Baker, Jonathan Coy, Ben Hull and Maggie Steed, the story tells of the antics of an inept second-rate touring theatre company and while the traditional farce 'Nothing On' is being performed, a real life farce unfolds backstage during the show's final rehearsal and ensuing disastrous tour.

Noises Off involves, therefore, a play within a play about a play. As the tension between the actors mounts so does the humour, the pace, the slapstick and, of course, the laughter. Indeed, there is so much going on – particularly in the quick-fire second act – that one probably needs to see the play again to appreciate it all. The audience are left totally exhausted after all the fast paced shenanigans let alone the actors themselves! I cannot imagine what it must be like to do a matinee on the same day. Written in 1982, the idea for 'Noises Off' was born in 1970 when Frayn was standing in the wings watching a performance of 'Chinamen' a farce written for Lynn Redgrave. Frayn apparently thought it was funnier from behind the scenes that in front and came up with the idea to write a farce from backstage. If laughter is indeed the best medicine then there will be some extemely healthy people leaving Cardiff this week.

Noises Off is at the New Theatre, Cardiff until Saturday 25th October.