AD-Gifted
The Cornley Drama Society is causing all sorts of chaos in the UK tour of ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ that has stumbled its way into Manchester.
And the OG cast are back! Yes, you read that right. The original cast are returning for the Manchester and Newcastle runs only. It’s super special and basically unmissable.
To say I was excited is probably an understatement.
Read my reviews of The Play What I Wrote and Magic Goes Wrong
A well hung awards cabinet
The list of honours this production has snapped up is long and includes the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. So ya know, a pretty solid seal of approval.
And the creators of this ultimate slapstick play is Mischief Theatre, a British comedy troupe who have risen to become superstars of their chucklesome craft.
What I’m saying is, this is no ‘small fry’ play. This is a big fat fry up, which is full of beans – that have accidentally splattered all over the breakfast bar*.
A perilous plot
The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are putting on a 1920s murder mystery at Haversham Manor. But, as the title of the play suggests, not all goes to plan. With actors that can’t act, a backstage crew who just don’t care and a death trap of a set, this ‘serious’ play quickly becomes seriously silly.
Typically, someone is found dead in a locked room so a mysterious Detective is brought in to blame every Tom**, Dick** and Harry** and hopefully solve the case. I did enjoy, even with the millions of on purpose mistakes and collapsing pieces of set, that we did get a narrative and I didn’t guess the murderer!
An extraordinary cast
Seeing the actors, who originated these unforgettable characters, work their magic on stage is quite something. No one can do it like them. They were in their element and the audience lapped it up. The roars and heckles were deafening***.
It’s hard to point out individuals when this really is a group effort. Everyone’s quick wit, nanosecond comedic timing and exaggerated physicality is class.
BUT I of course have my personal favourites. This isn’t like a child where you have to pretend to love them all equally. Dave Hearn gets me every time with his cheesy grin and childish waves and Jonathan Sayer stole my heart thanks to his utter despair during dialogue fails.
Funny frankly doesn’t cut it. The Play That Goes Wrong will make your jaw hurt****. Is that a selling point? Well, maybe not, but it is scientific proof***** that I was well and truly entertained.
Learn more about Mischief Comedy
Playing at Opera House in Manchester until Saturday 4 June 2022.
*may not be the exact names
**I’m sorry if you are not on my wavelength here
***genuinely not an exaggeration
****law suit pending
*****no research has been undertaken to prove this
Image Credit: Robert Day (Original Cast Production Photos 2022)