"The Play That Goes Wrong", Theatre Royal, Glasgow, 6/3/17

Written for Backstage Pass:

http://www.backstagepass.biz/2017/03/theatre-review-play-that-goes-wrong.html

Extolling the virtues of the worst aspects of amateur dramatics, The Play That Goes Wrong brings its anarchic chaos back to Glasgow as part of its new UK tour. Filled with uproarious action, witty dialogue and the worst actors (in the best possible way) the play presents the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society's production of "The Murder at Haversham Manor". Or, rather, it attempts to as, needless to say, things go awry from the off.

Intelligently written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields and utilising elements of farce, physical theatre and anything appearing on a list of theatrical nightmare scenarios from technical errors and misplaced props to timing mistakes, the production is cleverly constructed along the lines of the murder mystery plays of old whilst even managing a nod or two to the sacred Gaffer tape of theatre technicians among other bright moments dotted throughout. The authors' word play is exciting and no doubt contributed to their receiving the Olivier Award for Best Comedy in 2015. Dynamically abysmal lines are delivered with aplomb, exaggerated diction and even with excruciating mispronunciation.

The physical production is no less as varied and the staging is tightly choreographed around a set that is as dangerous as it is effective. Add to that the equally en pointe use of lighting and sound and you have the tumultuous parts to manufacture a manic whole. The construction and execution of the play is potently delivered thanks to the writers and director Mark Bell and it is a testament to the creative team that the production still feels as fresh and remains as achingly funny as ever.

The play is filled with exceedingly well written characters (familiar to anyone who has taken part in am-dram) which are performed brilliantly by an ensemble of energetic actors, even if some feel a trifle shoehorned into predefined roles. From the sultry diva to the Laurence Olivier wannabe the stage is alive with memorable figures, even representing the unsung technical heroes (or not, in this case) that work behind the scenes.

The best of the worst of theatre, farcical and hysterical, The Play That Goes Wrong is nothing less than an uplifting and enjoyable dose of comedy and a theatrical treat that cannot fail to raise at least a smile and a giggle from the most jaded of theatregoers.

"The Play That Goes Wrong", Glasgow King's Theatre, 10/3/14

A review written for Backstage Pass:


http://www.backstagepass.biz/2014/03/theatre-review-play-that-goes-wrong.html

     Amateur theatre has been a staple for many years and has spawned many a fine professional actor. It is, for many, an introduction to the vast world that exists beyond the proscenium arch and is both admired and frowned upon by some who work in the theatrical industry. Why the latter? Because it can so easily reduce art into something far less ... savoury, with cliché being the prime ingredient of many a poor production. "Amateur" can be a word to instil dread into many an audience member given that there do exist am-dram companies whose stage productions reek of "cheap" and "shoddy" workmanship - both in the onstage and offstage departments. Indeed, YouTube is full of footage of amateur theatre's mishaps.
     It is all of the above that "The Play That Goes Wrong" attempts to confront and what writers Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields (who all feature in the cast) have cleverly done is to take the subject of the classic whodunit and spoofed it to the nth degree. But beyond that they have created a fictional company, "Cornley Polytechnic", who are presenting the whodunit "The Murder At Haversham Manor" replete with all the heightened clichés one could imagine of a terrible am-dram company: the wannabe starlet, the nervous first-timer, the seasoned performer are all present. Even the "stage technicians" are incompetent and as the title of the evening's proceedings suggests the play does not go off without a hitch, indeed even before the play starts proper we see the "backstage crew" attempting to prepare for the performance, somewhat unsuccessfully.
     In many ways "The Play That Goes Wrong" is a wonderful homage to all who have ever taken part in amateur dramatics. Even whilst lampooning the all too recognisable characters present within such companies (and they do exist!) they are being honoured by being portrayed and played in so earnest a manner. Given that the "play" is falling apart around them the "actors" and "crew" of the play within a play valiantly struggle on, proving the truth behind the axiom, "the show must go on"!
The script is sharp, witty and hilarious whilst the design creates the perfect environment for this third-rate amateur company. The direction of Mark Bell is crisp and taut whilst the excellent ensemble (onstage and off) perform perfectly. Indeed, it is unfair to single any one performer out given that this really is an ensemble piece. There are one or two jokes that were stretched almost beyond their limit but these are not enough to dampen the energy and spirits that are present throughout. And it doesn't really matter that the "plot" of "The Murder At Haversham Manor" is somewhat obscured by the antics occurring, indeed this lends to the air of chaos that abounds and there were plenty of moments where the audience erupted into spontaneous applause and hardly a moment where laughter was not forthcoming. And laughter is what this play is really about.