The Play That Goes Wrong, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre - review
It's all in the title really. This play does exactly what it says on the tin – goes wrong but spectacularly!
The rafters were ringing last night at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre as the West End and Broadway smash hit, courtesy of Mischief Theatre, brought the house down in more ways than one!
The original 2014 production, despite winning a couple of awards didn't play to packed houses when it was last at the city centre venue, but following an ongoing West End run and rave reviews which has led to it being released in 25 countries, this crazy comedy has taken the world by storm.
It is a simple tale with hilarious results and at times, a little too close to real life in amateur theatre as any am dram performer would tell you. The "Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society" is determined to put on a 1920's murder mystery, Murder at Haversham Manor, but the combination of a wiling, but terrible and accident prone cast, plus poor planning leads to total disaster and we are the lucky onlookers experiencing the mayhem.
Having seen the show before, I really knew what was coming and yet it had lost none of its hilarity and shock tactics. I felt exactly the same; not sure it was my thing at first and then less than one minute in, roaring with laughter! In a way, anticipating the calamitous antics, made it even funnier because I was laughing in advance!
The whole cast are nothing short of superb – fearless, physical comedy actors who somehow manage to play their roles within the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society as well as their roles within Murder at Haversham Manor to perfection.
Graeme Rooney as Trevor, the hapless sound technician, is hilarious as his mind wanders and he is therefore unaware of what is happening on stage and his very natural comedic performance means that his connection with the audience is excellent.
Edward Judge as Thomas Colleymore and Edward Howells as Perkins the butler spark off each other with exceptional comic timing, while Alastair Kirton made my ribs ache with in portrayal of Cecil, who just cannot get enough of the limelight!
The ladies were not outdone either, with Meg Mortell and Katie Bernstein share the role of Florence, but not in the traditional way – no spoilers here – you need to see the play to understand my comment, and together raised the roof with their competitive overacting.
Jason Callender as Charles Haversham makes a hilarious corpse, if there is such a thing, opening the show with such a funny antic, he set the scene perfectly for what was to come.
All in all superb performances all round but for me, Patrick Warner's introduction and description of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society was the highlight of the evening, as he calmly explains that the decreasing number of participants has often meant the group has had to compromise and rename many of their performances of well-known musicals and plays. I really want to tell you, but it would simply spoil it! Suffice to say the tears ran down my face with laughter!
The set, despite appearing quite simple and flimsy in true am dram style is of course sophisticated and very cleverly designed, with props and special effects galore, executed by an outstanding back stage crew.
Although at times over played and the last ten minutes or so being so frantic it was almost impossible to understand or hear what was going on, The Play That Goes Wrong is guaranteed to leave you sore from laughter and holding your sides.
There's really only one way to describe it – irritatingly funny!
Runs until Saturday. 01902 429212 or www.grandtheatre.co.uk for tickets.
By Alison Norton
