REVIEW: The Play That Goes Wrong at the Duchess Theatre

Entering the auditorium of the Duchess Theatre, the actors come to the auditorium and tidy up the stage, fix the props (and fail), and sometimes ask the audience for help. As the lights dim, we begin to see the performance of The Murder at Haversham Manor by the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society. Progressively, as the director (played by Daniel Cech-Lucas) introduces us to the show, we realise that this is the play that goes wrong. During the performance, all the worst nightmares you could think of happening in a play happen. This includes actors missing cues, mispronouncing the lines, props falling off, and actors getting injured and being knocked unconscious. As you think the play couldn't get any worse, in the second act, the stage starts to fall apart even more as the play reaches the end. While the state of the play decreases, the laughter in the auditorium rises throughout the whole night.

Formed in 2008, Mischief Theatre has several acclaimed works throughout the years. The Play That Goes Wrong, first created by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields in 2014, portrays a play within a play that instantly spurs the audience's joy from the first second to the last. 

Pocket Picks: Best Shows of 2021

Here at Pocket Size Theatre, we are lucky enough to see some wonderful shows; some entertaining, some mindblowing, some beautiful and even some life-changing. We've accumulated a list of our top-rated shows from 2021, what a year it's been! Take a look at our list and start thinking of your theatrical highlights and share them with us on Twitter! @PocketSizeBlog

A quick note, even though these are our top shows of the year, we applaud and would like to congratulate every single person involved in putting on ANY show this year. It's been another tough year for our industry and anyone who provides entertainment and live theatre is a hero. You're amazing! 

SIX at the Vaudeville Theatre ★★★★★

"Carrie-Anne Ingrouille’s choreography is slick and on and there are no words for how marvellous Gabriella Slade’s out of this world costumes are. The musical is aimed at a younger audience; with bright lights, confetti, glittery outfits and modern references- which makes you feel like you’re seeing a girl band live rather than sat in a history lesson. The best of both worlds! The Queens are sarcastic and feisty in their comic delivery, and SIX has that kind of self-awareness that holds onto the element of intimacy that I would imagine wowed the very first audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe 4 years ago."

Click here to read the full review

Magic Goes Wrong at the Apollo Theatre ★★★★★

"They have the perfect recipe to appeal to and entertain any member of the public. I think you would be hard-pressed to find someone who didn’t smile at least once throughout a Mischief Comedy production. If you are looking to escape the challenges of reality for a few hours, then rush to buy a ticket for this show. Treat yourself to an evening of truly joyous tomfoolery and talent; I can assure you; you won’t regret this magical treat!"

Click here to read the full review 

REVIEW: The Play That Goes Wrong at the Duchess Theatre

Throughout the years the comedic, in particular, slapstick genre has presented us with unforgettable moments from tv sketch shows. The likes of ‘Only Fools And Horses, ‘The Two Ronnies’ and Laurel and Hardy continue to live in our minds, the mere thought of it and we’re on the floor in hysterics. Fast forward to the 2010s and our newest entry into the archives, ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ is another fine example of irrepressible laughter. 

As we sit patiently for the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society’s whodunnit ‘Murder At Haversham Manor’ the pre-show entertainment on stage is comical and immediately sets the tone for what’s to come. A falling mantelpiece and doors that won’t open already have the audience in hysterics, even before the show has even begun

As for the show itself, there’s nothing other than a rapturous feeling from start to finish. A complete joy to witness, not a second passes in which you’re not doubled over laughing until your stomach aches. Mischief Theatre has continued to tour globally with success after success but this, where it all started continues to bring in new audiences daily. A testament to mischiefs creators Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields popularity and writing abilities.