There is funny, and then there is this. Revisiting something you loved the first time can be a tricky business. Often, those expectations aren’t met again. That’s why it’s so refreshing to reconnect with something that I happen to like even more. And chances are anyone who’s into Mischief’s signature droll humour will feel the same way. Because this show is nothing but a big fat joke — the kind you can’t help roaring about.
Following last year’s acclaimed London premiere, the production has returned to the West End for barely a couple of months. Same story, same company, same punchlines. All equally excellent. The narrative is extremely engaging and remarkably well-paced. The cast, which comprises some of Mischief’s founding members- who, as tradition marks, are also the scriptwriters -, teem with rapport and inborn comicality. And every single gag, no matter how many times it is reused (although never without a twist), is simply hysterical.
You don’t need to be into the spy genre to have an absolute blast. Whether it’s the zany wordplay, the deliciously absurd situations, the endless moments of slapstick, or just the utter nonsense the whole thing makes, the piece is guaranteed to tickle your fancy and keep those good vibes going all evening. It doesn’t try to be anything but entertaining and silly. But in fact, there’s so much secret intelligence behind it. And that’s what makes it so cleverly stupid.
If both the writing and renditions are impeccable, the staging isn’t too far behind. The design conveys a sense of opulence without distancing itself from the show’s satirical nature. Mostly set in a 1950s London hotel, the scenery is vibrant and intricate. But at the same time, it doesn’t take itself too seriously. And that’s the core of its brilliance.
As such, some props and effects look deliberately cheap, and they are appropriately made fun of. But the comedy takes one step further by delivering a few surprises, which not only underpin the jest but also its ingenuity. Once again, it proves how much thought it’s been put into an apparently brainless act, no matter how many dummies we may come across — literally.
I shan’t disclose any more information. It is your mission to travel to the Adelphi Theatre and find out if my words can be trusted. Do not panic, though. I assure you none of these spies will bug you, and you will certainly leave the theatre in your best mood. It genuinely is one of the most amusing shows to infiltrate the West End in years. And after Mischief’s substandard attempts to revive the sparkle of The Play That Goes Wrong, it’s comforting to see how this one has the last laugh.
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Pictures credit to Mark Senior and Helen Maybanks.
The Comedy About Spies plays at London’s Adelphi Theatre until 26 September. Tickets are available on the following link.