The Play That Goes Wrong (UK Tour)
Newcastle Theatre Royal
Reviewed on the 2nd of July by Freddie Lee
Unfortunately, the last time the show was at this theatre, I missed out on the opportunity to see it but I am beyond happy that I have managed to catch it this time round as it has quickly become one of my favourite plays!
The show perfectly captures an amateur dramatics society where the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are putting on a production of 'A Murder at Haversham Manor'. Before the show even begins there is sense of chaos and confusion with cast members running round the theatre asking 'Have you seen Winston?' and inviting audience members onto the stage to help with the set but again quickly turns into a disaster.
Soon the curtain lifts and we are introduced to the director, Chris Bean, and he delivers a hilarious monologue about the society's rocky history which sort of hints that something is going to go wrong. Similarily, the production at the beginning seems to be relatively normal and what you would expect from an amateur dramatics society but this does not turn out to be the case.
All the cast are first-rate actors which is the reason why the show is hilarious and a success. Kazeem Tosin Amore plays Thomas Colleymore and is a standout performance from the beginning mainly because of how he overacts the character which just makes it more funny. Elena Valentine plays Thomas Colleymore's sister, Florence Colleymore who was engaged to Charles Haversham, played by Steven Rostance. Both Elena and Steven were hilarious too because of their comedic timing and Elena was superb at her portrayal during the first few scenes and the last.
Dennis Tyde has the whole audience in stitches with his performance as the Butler, Perkins. One of his highlights has got to be serving White Spirit instead of Scotch and his inability to pronounce longer words such as 'morous' and 'cyanide'. Another highlight of the show has to be Bobby Hirston as Cecil Haversham because of his actions and enthusiam for the show as well as Jake Curran as the Inspector/Director who is great at the monologue at the beginning as well as his acting in the end of the show as he is both trying to stay in character while trying to direct the piece. For me, the standout performer has to be Catherine Dryden as Annie, the stage supervisor who steps in to play Florence after an onstage accident. She has the whole audience roaring with laughter in the scene before the interval when she first appears as Florence and her fight with Elena in the last few minutes of the play as they both want to play the part.
I thought the whole production was absolutely fantastic as it is so fast paced, witty, side-splittingly funny and it is a must see for anyone.
The Play That Goes Wrong is currently running at Newcastle Theatre Royal until 7th of July before continuing its UK and Ireland Tour.
More information about The Play That Goes Wrong, can be found here.
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