Review of ‘Mischief Movie Night’: “That’s a wrap – of laughter!”

The wrongest company in the world brings the screen to the stage with this new parody piece featuring improv comedy, live music renditions, and nonsense galore. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know if this one-of-a-kind homage manages to be the talkie of the town.

Last time I extemporized a film of my own, the result was nothing short (well, it was…) of a complete embarrassment. In my defence, I didn’t know it was supposed to be hard (take its meaning as you please). Why do I have to start each of my reviews with some filthy innuendo? I’m glad you asked. I’m not gonna respond, though, but I’m happy that I’ve made you think – for once. Too rough? Check the aforementioned picture, and we’ll talk later.

Moving on. From the people that brought you a dysfunctional (to put it mildly) adaptation of an Agatha Christie whodunit, a Peter Pan with very little of a hook and an illiterate mind reader, comes the ultimate homage to Hollywoodland. Put your hands (and yourselves, if you can…) together for Mischief Movie Night (title subtlety is clearly not their forte), the company’s latest arrival to the London scene – bringing the wondrous craft of filmmaking right onto the stage to create… well, that’s entirely up to you.

As the host welcomes us into the show (that’s mainly what his job is all about, but just in case you needed some help…), the quest begins to find what, where and who we are going to see… So many plot possibilities, so many places to set them in… They went for Basingstoke last night, though. Although you might be surprised to learn that our story actually takes place during a Eurovision contest – where a thrilling murder mystery is about to unravel… I guess there were a few Shyamalan fans in the audience…

But no matter how twisted, mental or drug-induced surrealistic the idea is, if there’s something its cast has proven with remarkable success, it’s that they can (and will) take anything that’s thrown at them – especially the one who played the guy with the BDSM kink… You’d better get ready for anything but a quiet evening, because this production is bound to make you roar.

Evenly combining elements from different styles raging from the expected farce to the most refreshing musical theatre approach, the company cleverly blends a probably drafted outline and some rehearsed component with quite immaculate improvisation. From the usual back-and-forth narrative treatment (with actors feeding from each other’s lines to move the plot along) to amusing, sometimes smart ad-libbed lyrics, the whole piece works exceptionally well in terms of pacing and engagement – regaling us with a brief (it’s only an hour) yet incredibly intense and satisfying jaunt you’ll still feel driven by way after you leave.

After a few too many attempts at reusing the same formula, Mischief has finally come up with a proposal that, far from renouncing to its essence, looks, anyway, extremely refreshing. Flaunting previously hidden talents through a concept that still resonates with its previous works, Movie Night reels off all of the group’s signature skills, while introducing us to a different branch of their style which, if explored with enough originality, could lead to the company’s next series of hits. It’s a blast in many ways, especially when things blow out of control!

Mischief Movie Night plays at London’s The Other Palace until 1 September. Tickets are available on the following link.

By Guillermo Nazara