Spring-time Stage Productions' latest show, Noises Off, is running now until the end of the month. Starring veteran lyrics- writer James Wong Jim, comedian Ricky Hui Koon-ying and award-winning actress Lo Koon-lan, the show is directed by Chung King-fai.

The farce portrays the behind- the-scenes chaos as a third-rate drama troupe struggles to rehearse for a performance.

The comedy is adapted from an award-winning script by British playwright Michael Frayn. The play is made up of three acts. The whole situation is told in the first act. In the second act, people discover what is going on behind-the-scenes. The final act reveals the complicated relationships among the cast.

Wong plays the director who struggles to get the cast through at least one full rehearsal. At the same time he has to juggle his love affairs with his stage assistant (Chiu Mei-kuan) and actress Vicki (Louisa So Yuk-wa).

Wong made his first stage appearance more than 35 years ago, also with Chung as director.

So plays the silly actress Vicki and wears very little on stage. Her sexy image is in stark contrast to her previous 'nice girl' roles. So said she was excited to be able to try something more challenging.

Alice Lau Ngar-lai plays a gossiping woman who seems pleasant on the surface but speaks ill of others behind their back.

Lau said playing a comic character was very difficult as she had to make the audience laugh at her antics one minute, then cry the next. She used a Shanghai accent to spice up her role.

The production's many celebrities and the powerful line-up shows the co-operation among the cast, which has to be united to pull off the perfect timing needed.

Director Chung said the performance was a delightful experience as the cast enjoyed working together. The performers were always active in figuring out funny points and gave each other energy which created a amusing atmosphere back stage.

The play is being staged at the Lyric Theatre, at the Academy for Performing Arts daily except Mondays at 7.45 pm. There are matinees at 2.45 pm on weekends and holidays.