There’s no doubting the world-wide success of Mischief Theatre’s “Goes Wrong” collection, each on stage and the small display. From the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to theatre above the pub at The Old Red Lion in 2012 to world phenomenon, they’ve, as a theatre firm, single-handedly revived British farce.
But, after over a decade of theatrical shenanigans is the slapstick schtick nonetheless capable of elevate fun or is all of it carrying a bit skinny?
True to the Mischief Theatre’s system, Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are at it once more. This time it’s the flip of J.M. Barrie’s beloved basic Peter Pan to get mangled within the mayhem. “It’s not a pantomime,” bellows director Chris Bean (Jack Michael Stacey), “it’s a traditional Christmas vignette” in case we’re in any doubt. That mentioned, all of the basic parts of Barrie’s story are right here, sufficient to maintain the story flowing amid all of the insanity.
Every well-worn cliché from the novice dramatic world is right here, from props going awry, the set malfunctioning, off-cue sound results, inappropriate relationships, energetic however completely terrible choreography shoe-horned into the plot and stage palms who make extra appearances on stage than a number of the actors. There’s a director who has extra confidence than he has a clue, a lot stage mis-management and a few fairly frankly questionable casting all through together with the not so darling Darlings.
The success of the entire endeavour depends on utter precision from solid and crew and that the appreciable effort wanted has to look easy. Thankfully, the solid are universally impeccable. From a Wendy (Ciara Morris) who appears to be underneath the impression she’s both auditioning for a TV expertise present or a dodgy R&B video along with her extremely inappropriate ‘moves’. There’s the tightly wound director who can also be our Captain Hook and is dropping his scant grip on affairs as every second passes, to the multi-tasking Annie Twilloil (Jamie Birkett), who has to fast change, with various levels of success, from Mrs. Darling to The Maid to a feisty, fairy mild clad Tinkerbell. Their efforts are actually spectacular.
There’s additionally a reliance on viewers familiarity with the conventions of pantomime, there’s a lot interplay and naturally, cries of “it’s behind you” and “oh, no it isn’t”. The crowd have come to completely decide to the expertise.
For those that have seen The Play That Goes Wrong there’s a level of predictability, however there’s nonetheless greater than sufficient to maintain you laughing out loud all through. The scene between pirates Starkey and Smee is one mascara-busting, tears rolling down your face, spotlight amongst a night of belly-laughs.
Peter Pan Goes Wrong proves that in darkish occasions, all of us want a little bit of old school, much less cynical leisure to brighten our days. Thankfully, Mischief Theatre’s much-loved work nonetheless stands the check of time.
Runs till 9 March 2024 | Image: Pamela Raith
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