The Noise Next Door Review: Political incorrectness gone mad

The Noise Next Door. Where do I begin? A group of 5 ex-drama students who met at university is somewhat atypical for a comedy troupe these days, but The Noise Next Door stand out among the crowd. They are, quite honestly, the hidden gem of improvised comedy.

The group performed in the studio theatre of Warwick Arts Centre, a versatile performance area, which had rows of seats more or less ‘onstage’ for the show. This fed into the most important aspect of the show; it was entirely devised on the spot, based on suggestions from audience members. For example, when asked to suggest three genres of music to hear on a themed radio station, the audience decided that the boys should improvise three Disney-themed song in the styles of ska, opera, and Christian death metal.

They are, quite honestly, the hidden gem of improvised comedy.

What’s wonderful about Matt, Charlie, Tom, Sam and the other Tom (as he called himself) is their impeccable chemistry. They work together as one organic unity, seamlessly crafting sketches with one another right before our eyes. They’re also an incredibly playful group, embarrassing and making life difficult for one another (such as Charlie forcing Sam to sing only in Italian) for the audience’s amusement.

Speaking of songs, music was another fantastic part of this show. Armed only with a guitar (and the occasional backing track), the boys were flexing their rhyming muscles alongside their improv ones, deciding on lyrics seconds after Tom had decided on chords. This led to what was essentially a ballad about three firemen (one of which was made of jelly) forced to drive to Kingston (Jamaica, not upon-Thames) to use pasta and Dolmio to put out a baking-related fire. I won’t tell you any more than that about the sketch, as I cannot do it justice through just a description.

The games they played are staples of improvised comedy, but it is their chemistry as a group which makes them a cut above the rest.

Now, we all say that we hate audience participation, but deep down we’re all suckers for it, right? Well, I’m sure the young man brought to the stage to become the centrepiece of a sketch will agree with me, even if you won’t. The man (whose name I can’t remember, but wasn’t a Warwick student), was asked to describe himself and three family members, onstage, only to see them brought to life by the group. If their portrayals were accurate, he squeezed a squeaky toy, but if they were inaccurate then he’d honk a horn and the group would have to reverse their last statement and continue acting. Needless to say, I’ve rarely seen a participating member of the audience laugh so hard.

The Noise Next Door are by no means pioneers of improvisation. The games they played are staples of improvised comedy, but it is their chemistry as a group which makes them a cut above the rest. I urge you to see them if you can (they’ll be in the Midlands again before March, I’ve been told), if you want to see surrealist improvisation like no other.