The Comedy About Spies - Noel Coward Theatre London - Review

‘Mischief Movie Night’, ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’, ‘The Comedy About A Bank Robbery’, ‘Peter Pan Goes Wrong’, ‘Groan Ups’, ‘Magic Goes Wrong’, ‘Good Luck Studio’, ‘Mind Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle’. They say that laughter is the best medicine, and in the theatre universe, Mischief are simply the best doctors.

From their humble beginnings in a tiny room of the Old Red Lion Pub Theatre, to international success and many hit productions, Mischief have gone to strength to strength with their theatrical escapades. And the company’s latest production ‘The Comedy About Spies’ only goes to prove that they continue to be at the very top of their game when it comes to making captivated audiences laugh the night away.

Penned by Henry Lewis and Henry Shields, two of Mischief’s original members, ‘The Comedy About Spies’ tells the story of CIA and KGB agents converging on London’s Piccadilly Hotel to hunt down a secretive file. But when a young couple hoping for a relaxing holiday and an actor hoping to audition for the role of James Bond just so happen to choose the same hotel, the mission is out of control with hilarious results.

Featuring many original Mischief cast members, this show introduces us to a flurry of new, exciting characters that are guaranteed to become as loved as the company’s famous ‘Cornley’ residents and gang of hapless magicians. Dave Hearn takes on the role of Lance Buchanan, an CIA Agent determined to have a successful mission for us as he, and his mother Janet (played by Nancy Zamit) who has tagged along as he fights to get the files before KGB agents Elena and Sergei (Charlie Russell and Chris Leask). Young couple Rosemary, played by the new to Mischief (who fits in brilliantly) Adele James, and Bernard, played by Henry Shields can’t seem to make their romantic weekend work and Henry Lewis’ actor Douglas Woodbead just wants to nail his Bond audition whilst hotel manager Mr Tipton played by Greg Tannahill is trying his best to hold it all together.

Lewis is on top form as Douglas Woodbead, earning rapturous laughter with every scene, effortlessly delivering some wicked one liners and clever innuendos. Dave Hearn delights as Lance, with a spot on accent and the ability to make Mischief’s classic slapstick look easy. Zamit’s Janet has the audience in stitches, whilst Russell’s calm and collected Elena oozes grace and sophistication, in perfect contrast to Leask’s chaotic speaks before he thinks Sergei. Henry Shields’ Bernard is hapless and hilarious as he has the audience rooting for him throughout and Adele James’ Rosemary’s constant frustration at her partner is hilarious.

Whilst every cast member shines throughout, some of the biggest laughs of the night went to Chris Leask’s Sergei and Greg Tannahill’s Mr Tipton. With brilliantly funny lines and some high energy action, both delight and surprise audiences with every moment and it is wonderful to see. Shoutout also to the ensemble (the talented understudies) who play multitude of additional roles.

The writing in this production is simply genius. It is punchy and quick, with nods to previous productions if you know what to look for and perhaps even a reference to a very popular sitcom (if you know, you know you know). But the speed of the action cleverly does not overpower the incredibly intricate and well developed story that keeps audience gripped throughout and gasping at every revelation.

This is a show that is slick, quick and ambitious. With some of the biggest sets I’ve ever seen in a mischief production, balancing glitz and grit as it’s one spy against another in a hilarious to and fro. You will be kept guessing, and kept smiling as ‘The Comedy About Spies’ gives both your brain cells and your funny bone a workout.