The Play That Goes Wrong Churchill Theatre Review

The Play That Goes Wrong
Churchill Theatre, Bromley

3-8 February 2014

Reviewed by Emma Rogers

The newly penned comedy, The Play That Goes Wrong, is written by actors Henry Shields and Henry Lewis who star as The Inspector and Collymore in the production.

The format needs some explanation: the local polytechnic are staging the fictional play “Murder at Haversham Manor” but the result is a play that goes utterly wrong at every juncture. Stage hands are thrust on set, the mechanics of the scenery falls apart at the most in opportune moments and nearly all the actors forget their lines on one way or another.

The play is a comedy throughout, with the story based around Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap but with more of a flavour of slapstick borrowed from ‘Allo ‘Allo. The inspector also reminded me of a Basil Fawlty character in places, but all of the actors were superb throughout.

I won’t spoil any of the gags for you, but some of them, especially towards the end, are so unexpected that the shock of them at least will make you laugh.

This is a production to see if you enjoy Tommy Cooper meets Norman Wisdom with a bit of Blackadder thrown in for good measure. I found the less obvious jokes funnier, but others in the audience were falling off their seats throughout. Many didn’t find it quite as appealing though.

Finally, go and see it with Granny. It’s a non- offensive Sunday afternoon jaunt that would benefit from a quick pint before, or after.

Rating: 3.5/5

Tickets cost £10.65 to £32.40 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).

For more information or to book tickets click here.