The Play That Goes Wrong Royal and Derngate Review
The Play That Goes Wrong
Royal and Derngate
12-17 May 2014
Written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields
Performed by Mischief Theatre Company
Reviewed by Hilary Whates
WARNING
When you go to see a performance of the brilliantly funny ‘The Play that Goes Wrong’, I recommend wearing no make-up. (Men this applies to you even if you have a beard). I pretty much cried with laughter throughout the whole performance – mascara disaster area…
‘Mr T. It’s your turn to drive. We’re off to the Royal and Derngate Theatre in Northampton’.
‘But I drove last time’.
‘Exactly. Here’s your keys’.
We found our way to the multi-story car park virtually next door to the theatre (£1.00 to park in the evening after 7.00pm and free weekend evenings) and headed inside to collect our tickets. Lots of helpful staff and volunteers on hand to point you in the right direction which was good as the large foyer area has many levels and to the uninitiated could be confusing. I had to retrieve Mr. T. from a wrong turning several times.
The Royal Theatre, originally built in 1884, is small and ornate and has an intimate feel, making it absolutely ideal to stage a play set in the 1920s. It is cleverly joined to the Derngate Theatre with a shared foyer but once in the auditorium retains its own historical identity. Mr T. felt very at home there.
By some good fortune we were early and decided to take our drinks through to our seats at least 20 minutes before the performance ‘officially’ begins. This was a good plan. Dramas with scenery misbehaving were unfolding on stage with members of the ‘crew’ attempting to put it right. So a lot of us were laughing even before the lights went down.
The play portrays the efforts of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society to put on a 1920’s murder mystery ‘The Murder at Haversham Manor’. The disastrous stage set, extraordinary acting and exquisite timing make this one of the most hysterically funny evenings of entertainment you are likely to experience. The ‘crew’ are even busy during the interval. It would be hard to pick one stand out performance as everyone was just amazing – but for me the star of the show was Dave Hearn, aka Max Bennett, aka Cecil Haversham and the gardener. His engagement with the audience was just hysterical. Jonathan Sayer, who co-wrote the (actual) play and portrays the butler Dennis is so funny reading words from his hand – his pronunciation of ‘façade’ caused an eruption of laughter.
The spontaneous standing ovation at the end of the show was no surprise – it was an outstanding performance and a real pleasure to have been there. We left the theatre amongst the chatting audience and walked back to the car.
‘Mr T you surprised me this evening.’
‘Why?’
‘You laughed. Lots.’
‘I know. I couldn’t help it. In fact my ribs hurt.’
This brilliant new laugh out loud comedy performed by Mischief Theatre Company has enjoyed two successful runs in the West End and was the sell out smash hit of the Edinburgh Festival with sensational reviews, numerous accolades and awards.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £17.50 to £28.50 (plus £2.50 transaction fee).
For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 01604 624811.
Royal & Derngate, Guildhall Road, Northampton, NN1 1DP | 01604 624811
