THE LAUGHTER GOES RIGHT IN THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG

I am so glad that it wasn’t just me that was screaming with laughter last week at Broadway’s Lyceum Theatre.  I was sure that I would end up with a huge headache and no air left in my lungs.   The secret was in not holding anything back.  The Play That Goes Wrong has got to be the most hilarious play that I have ever experienced. 

 

Originally from London The Play That Goes Wrong is ingeniously written by three of its cast members Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields.  It is both brilliantly and painstakingly directed by Mark Bell.  First, let me explain the whole setup. 

This is a play within a play where the members of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are seriously attempting to perform, The Murder at Haversham Manor, by Susie H.K. Brideswell.   Let me first give you the characters.  Annie Twilloil (Nancy Zamat) is the company’s stage manager.  Trevor (Robert Falconer) is the company’s lighting and sound manager who is searching for his lost cd of Duran, Duran.  Chris Bean (Henry Shields), the head of the drama society, directed the murder mystery and portrays Inspector Carter.  Jonathan Harris (Gregg Tannahill) plays Charles Haversham, the deceased.  Robert Grove (Henry Lewis) plays Thomas Colleymoore, Charles’ old school friend.  Dennis Tyde (Jonathan Sayer) has the role of Perkins, Charles’ Butler.  Max Bennett (Dave Hearn) portrays both Cecil Haversham, Charles’ brother and Arthur the Gardner. Sandra Wilkinson (Charlie Russell) has the role of Florence Colleymoore, Charles’ fiancé and Thomas’ sister.   The action takes place the evening of Charles and Florence’s engagement party in the year 1922.  As far as the murder mystery it is opening night when every possible thing will go wrong.

Aside from the main stage, there is a Tech Box where Trevor sits. Situated in an actual box seat area, this is in view of the audience. Littered with empty drink cans and other garbage, it is complete with computer and faders for lighting and sound. 

There are two floors to the manor of which has an elevator.  A pillar extending down to the ground is used as a support beam.  

The Play That Goes Wrong actually begins prior to the murder mystery.  Actors will be going about the audience in a subtle manner and the set is not quite finished as well as having difficulty in getting it completed.  Aside from trying to locate Trevor’s Duran, Duran CD, they are also trying to locate Winston, a dog that is supposed to be used for later in the show.   Annie is trying to get the mantelpiece together and it keeps on falling apart.  An audience member is asked to come up and assist her.  Just as it appears to be fine, the mantelpiece falls off the wall.  This is the running gag of the show as everything, especially the sets, will go wrong. 

What you now have is a theatre group bent on doing the play no matter what happens or how they have to adlib the faults and still stick to the script. We are talking errors such as incorrect props, this live dog that they cannot find (and will substitute a chain) and parts of the sets falling down throughout their play.  With all plays, those that are not part of the cast or on stage at the moment are trying their utmost to not make it obvious that they are present. 

The first of the hilarity occurs when Jonathan enters in the dark, trips and falls.  Lights go up and he is on the floor.  Lights dim. Lights go up and he is now on the couch and dead.  He is trying to portray a dead person but having people step on his hand is just a small problem compared to leaving the stage.  At first he is placed in a canvas stretcher and when lifted goes right through it.  The cast, not wanting to acknowledge the error, continues with the dialogue and movement while the actor now needs to find an inconspicuous way of getting off the stage as if the audience doesn’t see that he is doing this.  In other words the characters carry off the poles leaving Jonathan on the floor….face down…due to his falling off the couch and not reacting.  

As in many acting company casts there is that one actor with the big ego.  This prevails in the character of Max Bennett.  The first time he does something that gives the audience a pause to applaud, he welcomes it.  In fact, he milks it each time laughter or applause is directed toward him. 

Another great running gag is about a bottle of scotch that gets switched for a full plastic bottle labeled White Spirit with a large Flammable symbol on it.   This gets poured many times, drunk, reacted to and spit out…even when the characters already know that it will happen, they continue to follow the script. In fact one person does this following with the line, “That’s the best whiskey I’ve ever tasted.” 

I think I’ve given you enough of an idea on how this play goes wrong.  I certainly don’t want to write about all of the errors that will have you bursting in laughing, chuckling, cackling, giggling and certainly roaring.  The entire cast needs to be applauded not just for their acting but for the physical endurance they go through.  As for me, seeing The Play That Goes Wrong has kept me awake some nights.  I think about the play and burst into laughter.  A few times more, I have to get up to pee. 

Running time for the show is about 2 hours. No matinee on Wednesday but do have them on Saturday and Sundays.