Mischief’s signature comedy celebrates its first decennium in the West End, through a special performance reuniting its original team as well as presenting a new cast. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know if this spectacle of unfortunate events ends up being another comedy of errors.
Mother always told me not f*ck things up (I was brought up in a very Spanish environment). And up until this day, I still haven’t – the things, I mean… Paraphrasing The Simpsons movie trailer (this is as high-brow as my brain will allow me to be on a Friday afternoon): in a time where the theatre brings us worlds of unsurpassed beauty (I can think of a few I could sure-jan with utmost conviction…), one play, for ten years now, dares to be ugly… and awkward… and idiotic… and painfully funny!
There’s no need for introductions – you know who I am. And as for the show, well, it’s also built a bit of name in the West End (and several other spots abroad too) throughout the decennium that, at the start of this week, both completed and celebrated on the Duchess’s stage. That’s right: it’s been ten seasons of ridiculous daftness and resounding laughter – the kind that seems to have grown along with the piece’s aging; because, contrary to the wonted laws of comedy, its humour, far from getting dated, has only kept getting younger and much more refreshing.
A most perfect example of the brilliance of original works, The Play That Goes Wrong proves the reason why Mischief, its creative company, became a reference in their sophomoric (and deliciously amusing) style8. Far from feeling overdone or unimaginative (an issue that, sadly, some of their later montages have been dealing with by trying too hard to replicate the formula of its predecessor), the entire performance continues to bring the same chills, excitement and, above all, thunderous uproar that’s been dragging audiences in from Day One.
A failed portrayal (to put it mildly) of an Agatha Christie-inspired whodunit (it won’t take you too long to find out who the killer is… that is, if they are able to keep the corpse dead), the entire rendition works, however, with absolute flawlessness. Delivered with excellent timing and electrifying stamina, the spontaneous ease the performances are able to transmit (despite the whole recount being heavily scripted) contributes to the extraordinary flow and, ultimately, tremendous effectiveness of the recount as a whole – successfully enhanced through a seamless blend of improvisations, combined with a few extra additions to their already long list of hysterical goofs.
A jointless symbiosis of creative and interpretative strength, the current cast give a magnificent portrayal that not only exudes complete dexterity and understanding towards the script, but pure love and enjoyment for what they’re putting together. Among them, Owen Jenkins makes a hilariously unforgettable appearance in the role of Robert, flaunting exceptional comedic skills through the clumsy charm of his character. On the other hand, Jay Olpin brings the house down through his spot-on rendition as the untalented (and possibly single-neuron-brained) dim-wit, Max. Yet, the highest praise goes to Daniel Fraser as frustrated actor-director, Chris, boasting great flair and naturalness through his John Cleese-type approach of the part.
There are many reasons why a show is able to run for so long, and very few that hold the right ones to make it happen. The Play That Goes Wrong continues to prove that it is, in fact, in no need of corrections – because the entire thing is actually the wisest move. Parting from a wonderful premise, and developed with total accomplishment, the montage effortlessly secures its position as one of the most cracking pieces the West End has currently to offer. It strikes you from the beginning, and will keep spinning you around until you have no other remedy but to stand up through applause. Its personages may be on hell, but its viewers will be treated to a heavenly pleasure.
All pictures credit to Matt Crockett.
The Play That Goes Wrong plays at London’s Duchess Theatre from Tuesday to Sunday. Tickets are available on the following link.
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