Sit back and laugh as Eastern’s theatre department takes you on a journey with its performance of a play within a play, “Noises Off.”

“Noises Off” is a British comedy that follows a company of actors performing a show, according to the play’s director, Jeff Tangeman.

Tangeman, an assistant professor in the theatre arts department, said the play is broken up into three acts, the first and third happen on stage and the second happens backstage.

“It basically chronicles their production and the relationships and how they kind of affect what they do on stage based on their relationships off stage,” Tangeman said.

Tangeman said there are not any messages in the play because it is not that type of play.

“I think what the audience will hopefully take away is a fun night at the theater, have some laughs, enjoy themselves and hopefully go home in a better mood, maybe,” Tangeman said. “A lot of times people will go to the theater to escape what’s going on in their day to day lives and just have an entertaining evening and that’s what we’re hoping we’re giving the audience is a fun night.”

Ashley Ruddell, a sophomore elementary education major, said she wants the audience to enjoy the show. She said it is not a play where people have to think deep and it is for entertainment purposes.

Vince Dill, a senior general studies major, said “Noises Off” is more about the ensemble cast, not a single main character.

“It’s a fast-moving, hilarious show,” Dill said. “It’s theater for people who don’t necessarily like theater and for the people who always will love the theater.”

Ruddell plays Brooke, who plays Vicky in the play. Ruddell said she does not relate to her character too much because Brooke is often clueless about what is going on around her and Vicky is a scandalous woman, who works for a revenue service.

“I’m in honors and that kind of thing, so I’m not exactly like her,” Ruddell said. “And I’m not really scandalous like she is. But I can understand her the more I read about her.”

Vince Dill, plays a character named Gary, who plays a character named Roger.

“He’s an interesting character,” Dill said. “He stutters a lot. He has trouble finding his words until he begins to read from the script, until he begins to act and then he speaks very well after that.”

Dill said he can relate to his character because they are both actors, but other than that, he doesn’t relate to his character.

“I kind of pride myself as being someone who speaks decently compared to him,” Dill said.

The cast will perform “Noises Off” at 7 p.m. today in the Doudna Fine Arts Center Theatre. Additional shows will be on April 16, 18, 19 at 7 p.m. and April 17 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $12 for general admission, $10 for Eastern employees and seniors (62+) and $5 for students.

Kacie Berry can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].