The Play That Goes Wrong - Duchess Theatre - Review

They say that two wrongs don't make a right, but when it comes to one particular West End mainstay, it turns out that in this case wrong after wrong after wrong can make a right. So right in fact that The Play That Goes Wrong has been running for 11 years and has recently welcomed its 13th cast to Haversham Manor.

The glistening flagship show of the Mischief Comedy empire, The Play That Goes Wrong introduces us to Cornley Drama Society as they attempt to stage The Murder at Haversham Manor, a gripping whodunnit. But there's a slight issue. The Cornley performers have the passion, the spark and most definitely the determination, but perhaps not the skill. Anything that can go wrong does go wrong with actors unable to remember their lines, tempers fraying and a set which most certainly has a mind of its own with calamitous, hilarious results.

Speaking as someone who has seen this production multiple times, 52 times if you need me to be precise, you may be surprised when I say that I always get something new and exciting out of my visits to Cornley. This is a show that gives its cast remarkable amount of freedom with its characters, allowing each performer to add their own touch to the roles, meaning that with different casts and different cover combinations, you never see the same show twice. And to the casting teams of this show, give yourself a pat on the back because you always find the best performers for these roles.

Cast number 13 (unlucky for some) sees Matthew Spencer take on the role of Cornley Director Chris Bean, playing Inspector Carter, from the offset illustrating the frustration of a director who just wants things to go right for once. As the show spirals out of his control, Spencer's ability to convey Chris' exasperation impresses greatly. His anger is in polar opposite to Joshua Lendon's giddy and over-excited Max, playing Cecil Haversham, who earns many a laugh with this cheeky smile and way of finding joy in every mishap.

Lucinda Turner's leading lady Sandra, playing Florence Colleymoore, fights to maintain the glamour against the odds whilst Luke Wilson's Jonathan as Charles Haversham simply needs one gesture to earn a laugh from the delighted audience. Understudy (or thunderstudy as known in the Mischief multiverse) Will Bishop played Dennis at this performance, with his near constant wide eyed expression and nervous energy bring the panic of forgettable Dennis to life in the most hilarious manner.

Major props must go to Harry Al-Adwani, who made his thunderstudy debut as Robert as Thomas Colleymoore at this performance where his improv moment raised huge giggles and misbehaving props were handled with great expertise. And, of course, you can't have a drama society without a crew and its a treat to see Ruby Ablett as stage manager Annie and Kieron Michael as techie Trevor. Ablett has an infectious joy on stage and Michael becomes an audience favourite quickly. At this performance, the cast was completed by Paige Round and Phoenix Edwards as assistant stage managers, participating in an hilarious preshow and assisting throughout.

The comedy of this production is a wonderful combination of old school slapstick, expertly executed, wickedly clever wordplay that creates perfectly landing jokes and characters so lovable that despite knowing from the show's title that it goes wrong, the audience will them on to succeed. It's a recipe for brilliance and success, building a show for all ages that earns the biggest of laughs and of applauses. Long may the laughter of Haversham Manor at the Duchess Theatre continue.