Thespians - UK Tour Review - Theatre Royal Bath

The meaning of Mischief - playful, reckless...

But say the word 'Mischief' around a theatre fan and your brain is filled with images of silliness, calamity, clever funny wordplay, things going wrong and the ever growing portfolio of hit productions from one of the most successful and popular theatre companies around.

With their flagship show 'The Play That Goes Wrong' having just welcomed its 13th cast, 'The Comedy About Spies' returning to London for a second run, 'Christmas Carol Goes Wrong' coming back this winter for a UK Tour and a West End stint, and a new show being trialled at the Edinburgh Fringe, Mischief Theatre is flying and thriving, with 'Thespians' being the latest addition to the hit parade.

Mischief's first ever scripted musical (fans will know the team's love of a song in their improvised show 'Mischief Movie Night'), 'Thespians' takes us to ancient Greece where we meet Thespis (James Spence), his sister Poly (Claire-Marie Hall), Atlas (Luke Latchman), Adonis (Marc Pickering) and Melampus (Mia Jerome), living on their drought ridden island. Whilst most pray for water, Thespis prays for a life in the wider world, and when the Tyrant (Rhys Taylor) decides to host a Dionysia where each island competes to perform the best prayer for water to the God Dionysus, its his big chance to reach Athens and make it big. But in creating something entirely new, will it be found fame and success all round?

With book and lyrics written by Jonathan Sayer and lyrics and music by Ed Zanders, 'Thespians' is a big, bold step away from everything that Mischief has previously enjoyed great success with, exploring new genres, new storytelling and new styles, whilst still remaining as funny as ever, bridging the gap between their hilarious plays and the all singing, all dancing musical hits that prove so popular.

James Spence's Thespis is wide eyed and full of big dreams, living in a world where he believes that everything is possible and all will be fine despite everything looking otherwise. With a cheeky smile and a bounding energy, Spence draws the audience in and has them wishing for his success. He is excitement and action, the polar opposite to Poly, his sister, played by Claire-Marie Hall. She has dreams of her own but they bubble quietly within, with Hall creating a practical, deep thinking and intelligent girl with a heart of gold. Latchman's Atlas lives by the rule book and delights in being good, kind and loving, warming the hearts of the audience throughout whilst Jerome's Melampus is wise, with more love to give than people willing to take it. Some of the biggest laughs go to Marc Pickering as Adonis, boasting of his heroics and strengths, bumbling along with the group and being easily led. And you may never look at apples the same away again.

Rhys Taylor rejoices as the villain of the piece, the dastardly Tyrant, with flamboyance, naughtiness and a wonderful spark. A simple look is enough to earn a giggle from the audience as Taylor effortlessly becomes the baddie that everyone loves to hate. To complete the principal casting, we have Matt Cavendish and Allie Dart as Bard and Rhapsodes, the narrators who take on many roles throughout, breaking the fourth wall and earning many a laugh. A wonderful double act who bounce off each other's energy and jump from character to character with a spring in their step. Curtis Patrick, Ashley Tucker and Josh Patel-Foster are the Greek Chorus ensemble, playing a multitude of roles and adding to the hilarity amazingly.

The story is clever and incredibly funny, with jokes for both fans of the theatre and fans of Greek mythology. Whilst Mischief fans may be used to jokes coming from falling over, slapstick, things going wrong and intricate wordplay, this is a different style but its just as hilarious and you will walk out of the auditorium with the catchy tunes buzzing around your head. Even days later, you could find yourself humming 'Dionysus, end this crisis'.

Just like Greek mythology states that King Midas had the golden touch, it would appear that everything Mischief touches turns to gold as well. Success after success, laugh after laugh, and with this newest production, it is all still going from strength to strength.