Mayflower Theatre Southampton – 10th July. Reviewed by Jo Gordon
Since being formed in 2008 by former LAMDA Drama School Students, Mischief Theatre has grown and grown into the incredibly successful beast whose productions are now loved worldwide. The Play That Goes Wrong began its humble begins above a pub in 2013 but now has an Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, The Whats on Stage Award for Best New Comedy and The Broadway World award for Best New Play.
Set in a quintessentially English country manor, members of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society have written, directed and starred in a production called “Murder at Haversham Manor”. From the very start when crew are frantically searching amongst the audience for missing dog “Winston” and a Duran Duran CD, you know you are in for a comedic treat. The set starts to fall apart almost immediately and the over acting portrayal of the plays characters are very amusing as we all know someone who declares to a be serious thespian but is more hammy than that tinned meat your Nan keeps in for emergencies!
Inspector Carter (Chris Bean) is called into the house after Charles Haversham (Jonathan Harris) is found dead at his own engagement party to the beautiful Florence Colleymore (Sandra Wilkinson). The manor is put on lock down whilst the Inspector begins to piece together who the culprit may be, aided by Florence’s brother Thomas (Robert Grove), the Butler Perkins (Dennis Tyde) and Haversham’s Brother Cecil (Max Bennett). As the mystery starts to unfold while the scenery collapses around them, lead actors are rendered unconscious, meaning the stage manager (Annie Twilloil) and the lighting and sound operator (Trevor Watson) are given their chance in the spotlight with hilarious consequences. With the frantic slapstick pace quickening and the cast and crews stress levels at an all time high will, will we get to the end to see the big reveal of who the dastardly murderer is?
I have never been to a production filled with so much raucous laughter , snorts and unidentifiable sounds coming from the audience whom were of ages across the board. I will leave you with a small piece of advice, do not drink large volumes of liquid otherwise it will not only be your face left damp with tears!