Review: THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, Exeter Northcott Theatre

From humble beginnings in a pub in Islington, where a group of LAMDA graduates first conceived Mischief Theatre, the company has gone from strength to strength: following an award-winning run in the West End, their first commercially successful comedy offering, The Play That Goes Wrong, has recently received a critically acclaimed Broadway transfer.

Slightly pared down in set compared to the production at London's Duchess Theatre, the version currently touring the country has squeezed itself into Exeter Northcott Theatre's versatile staging area with ease. In a venue that's just as well known for hosting amdramers as polished professionals, the faux-calamitous production feels like a perfect fit.

We're invited to join the amateur drama club from Cornley Polytechnic as they attempt to stage a 1920s murder mystery entitled Murder at Haversham Hall. Queue a disastrous set of catastrophes not unlike those you would have seen from Michael Crawford in Some Mothers do 'Ave 'Em, with physical comedy used to its absolute premium. Pretty much everything that can go wrong does including missing props, sudden set deconstructions and some fabulously farcical cast mishaps, which all results in a riot of hilarity from start to finish.

The ensemble cast is tremendous, with intricate teamwork needed to ensure a slick production made to look effortless and standout performances from Alastair Kirton as Cecil and Katie Bernstein as the emergency replacement for the leading lady.

Nigel Hook's design is an absolute masterpiece, with every broken appendage and falling fitting perfectly executed, with the illusion of astonishment being thoroughly upheld at all times.

If I'm being really picky, the action in Act One could do with being a little snappier, as rapidity really is the order of the day with this type of full-throttle slapstick, but that's a minor misstep in an otherwise pacy play.

It's not for everyone's comedy palate, and if you prefer your humour a little more multifaceted, this might not be for you. If, however, you're after a high-speed dalliance with some expert purveyors of mirth, The Play That Goes Wrong does everything right and will have you guffawing into your interval ice cream.

The Play That Goes Wrong at Exeter Northcott Theatre until 20 May

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