The Play That Goes Wrong
Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society took their last bow tonight and the entire audience was on their feet, applauding and laughing. It was pretty spectacular, especially as it was World Theatre Day 2018.
To be completely honest, I was full of trepidation. It had been a hard week and I was looking forward to a night at the theatre. Watching the murder mystery fall completely apart, was a complete surprise. The staging played a massive role in the comedy. The actors clearly had their acts together, even though it looked like they had no clue what they were doing.
Essentially, I was watching a play within a play within a play.
There were layers upon layers of comical devices, clichés, pathetic props, bad wigs, disagreeable directors, angry stage managers and audience participation. My only criticism was the woman behind me, who cackled like a witch on steroids. Also, my sister, who had purchased the tickets could not come along because she was in the hospital. Everything that could go wrong, in real life and on the stage, seemed to happen. But as they say, ‘the show must go on.’
I have to admit when Lindsey Scott, who played Annie, started to cry as she waved goodbye to the audience, I was touched. It was clear that these actors were an army of talented comedians. Katy Draghorn was a minx. George Haynes was a joker. Daniel Poyser was an undercover master of wit. Fred Grey was getting up to tons of mischief. Basically, there was not one weak link in this cast and that is rare. It was almost a bit sad that after two years the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society had to break the stage one last time (in the best way possible.) Then again, I am not surprised that The Play That Goes Wrong is the West End’s longest-running comedy show.