There’s something afoot even before the show begins, with the crew in the foyer searching for a lost dog. And the absurdity doesn’t end there – once you enter the theatre, the crew are still building the set, even calling on audience members to lend a hand.
'The Play That Goes Wrong', written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields of Mischief Theatre Company, first premiered in London in 2012 in a small theatre. Since then, it has cemented itself as a timeless piece of comedy and is now the longest-running play at The Duchess Theatre in the West End.
While the show is built entirely on one core joke – everything that can go wrong, does – it masterfully reworks that joke again and again. Whether it’s physical slapstick or a ridiculous play on words, the show keeps it fresh and consistently entertaining, even making the most obvious setups feel surprisingly funny.
This play is exactly what it promises to be – nothing more, nothing less – and that’s what makes it delightful. There’s no need for overthinking or over-analysis; it’s the perfect excuse to switch off and be thoroughly entertained for 100 minutes.
Amateur theatre company The Cornley Drama Society proudly presents their rendition of the classic whodunnit 'The Murder At Haversham Manor'. Earnestly and anxiously, the show’s fictional director welcomes us to the performance – missing his own lighting cue – and sets the scene before the murder mystery begins and chaos unfolds.
Standouts include Sebastiano Pitruzzello as Max, making his professional theatre debut in not one but two roles. Pitruzzello has phenomenal comedic timing, both physically and with the cheekiest facial expressions. It’s impossible not to be drawn in by his charisma.
Image © Jordan Munns
Jonathan Martin, who plays the budding director and chief inspector, arguably has one of the hardest roles – playing the straight-laced, anti-chaos character in a world where everything is falling apart. We empathise with his frustration as the production unravels before his eyes.
This show is gloriously unserious, and the fact that every gag somehow manages to outdo the last is a true feat. The precise comedic timing from the actors, the set, and even the lighting cues is meticulously rehearsed and flawlessly executed.
Of course, such a high-energy show doesn’t come without its challenges. The first act shines as the stronger of the two, with pitch-perfect pacing and rhythm. By Act Two, as the set literally collapses around the performers and they fully lean into the chaos, things can become harder to follow. The pacing begins to feel rushed, losing a bit of the build-up that made the earlier moments so effective.
Still, 'The Play That Goes Wrong' is a refreshing night at the theatre – broadly appealing to all kinds of audiences. It reminds us that sometimes, the show really must go on. . . And it should go on with gusto.
This is a perfect night of escapism, offering timeless comedy in a world that could use a little more laughter.
Words: Casey Elder
